A surprising trend has emerged among women taking medications like Ozempic and Wegovy: unintended pregnancies, despite being on birth control or having a history of infertility.
These instances, commonly known as “Ozempic babies,” are gaining attention on social media, where a growing number of women share their experiences using the hashtag #ozempicbabies.
Ozempic, a medication primarily described for type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy, a weight loss drug, both belong to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs help control blood sugar levels, reduce hunger, and promote weight loss.
“I was taking Ozempic and I got pregnant. Here’s your PSA to everyone: There are studies that show that a GLP-1 drug lessens the effectiveness of your birth control, and then it also heightens your fertility,” one of these women says on TikTok.
This woman also warns, “Do not take it if you’re pregnant. I did stop taking it immediately when I found out, and the baby is actually healthy. The baby was checked this morning and the baby was doing good.”
Understanding the Phenomenon of Ozempic Babies
The exact reason for these unintended pregnancies due to weight loss drugs still remains unclear, however experts are starting to investigate the possible reasons behind this phenomenon. One of the contributing factors could be the weight loss associated with GLP-1 drugs, which may improve infertility in women who previously struggled to conceive due to obesity-related conditions.
Beverly Tchang, MD, an obesity specialist and assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City says, “Obesity is a common risk factor for subfertility, so weight loss is likely to increase fertility.”
Obesity is often linked to infertility, particularly in women with conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Dr. Tchang, a gynecologic expert, notes that weight loss can significantly improve PCOS and, consequently, fertility.
Similarly, weight loss can enhance fertility in individuals with type 2 diabetes, another condition frequently associated with obesity and reproductive challenges.
Sonia Hernandez Diaz, MD, DrPH an epidemiology professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, explains that weight loss can make it easier for these individuals to conceive.
“It is plausible that these medications might improve fertility in certain patients, whether it is through weight loss or through other cardiometabolic effects,” Dr. Hernandez Diaz says.
There is some evidence suggesting that GLP-1 drugs might interfere with the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives. While this evidence is more substantial for medications like Mounjaro and Zepbound, which contain the active ingredient tirzepatide targeting both GLP-1 and GIP hormone, caution is advised for users of Ozempic as well.
These concerns are based on the prescribing information for these drugs, which include warnings about the potential for reduced contraceptive effectiveness.
“Tirzepatide is a GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist, so we don’t know if this applies to medications with GLP-1 alone” like Ozempic, Dr. Tchang says.
Preventing Unintended Pregnancies on Ozempic
For individuals of reproductive age taking Ozempic and relying on hormonal contraceptives, experts recommend considering alternative birth control methods.
Michael Kane, PharmD, a professor at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, advises using additional contraceptives measures, such as condoms, for at least four weeks after starting treatment and following each dose increase. This precaution can help mitigate the risk of unintended pregnancies.
“Patients who currently use oral hormonal contraceptives are advised to switch to a non-oral contraceptive method or to add a barrier method of contraception,” Dr. Kane says.
When planning to conceive, it is crucial for patients to stop taking GLP-1 drugs at least one to two months before attempting pregnancy. This recommendation is based on animal studies that suggest potential harm to developing fetuses from these medications.
Frank Greenway, MD, a professor and medical director at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, emphasizes the importance of managing weight loss and conception efforts separately rather than concurrently using Ozempic.
“A safer strategy would be to lose the weight on the GLP-1 agonist and continue the contraception until the drug is out of the body before attempting to initiate a pregnancy,” Dr. Greenway says.
“It is known that weight loss improves fertility, so losing the weight first and getting pregnant after the weight loss is a safer way to determine if the reason for the infertility was due to obesity,” he adds.
Managing an Ozempic Pregnancy
If a woman becomes pregnant while taking Ozempic, the first step is to consult her doctor to determine the safest way to discontinue the medication, especially for those with type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Tchang says, “If women get pregnant while taking GLP-1, they should stop the medication and inform their prescribing doctor and their ob-gyn. We do not know the effects of GLP-1 agonists in human pregnancies, but their ob-gyn may want to do more frequent monitoring.”
This is particularly important for patients with type 2 diabetes, who rely on GLP-1 drugs for blood sugar management.
“Stopping the GLP-1 means they will likely need a different agent to control their diabetes, and this needs to be an individualized discussion with their doctor,” Dr. Tchang adds.
Abruptly stopping these medications without a proper management plan can lead to complications. Dr. Tchang advises that patients with type 2 diabetes should work closely with their healthcare providers to develop a safe transition plan.
For those taking GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, the decision to stop is generally simpler, as the primary concern is the impact on pregnancy rather than blood sugar control. After delivery, women may also need to consider delaying the resumption of GLP-1 treatments if they plan to breastfeed, due to the potential risks to the infant.
“It is unknown if GLP-1 medications are excreted into breast milk,” Kane says. Lactating people “should consider the potential risk of infant exposure to the drug, the benefits of breastfeeding to the infant, and the benefits of treatment to the mother.”
The emergence of “Ozempic babies” highlights the complex interactions between weight loss, fertility and medication. While GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy offer significant benefits for managing type 2 diabetes and aiding weight loss, they also present new considerations for reproductive health.
Women using these drugs should remain vigilant about their contraceptive methods and consult their healthcare providers to navigate these challenges effectively. By understanding the potential risks and taking appropriate precautions, patients can better manage their health and reproductive goals.
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