Someone asked us: I heard that weight loss drugs like Ozempic make you more fertile or more likely to get pregnant. Is this true? What should I do if I get pregnant while using it, and can you take Ozempic while pregnant?
The relationship between fertility and weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro is a bit complicated, so let’s break it down.
PCOS is a hormonal condition that’s associated with both weight gain and infertility. Many people don’t know that they have PCOS, but they may want to lose weight, so a nurse or doctor could prescribe these drugs for weight loss.
So, if you have PCOS (whether you know it or not) and are taking a drug like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro, the weight loss may help your hormone balance, which can make you ovulate more regularly, which can make you more likely to get pregnant if you’re not using birth control.
These newer weight loss drugs are more effective than a commonly used older drug called metformin (and other similar medicines) at treating PCOS symptoms. So if you’re using these newer drugs and aren’t already on birth control (because you don’t have regular periods or think you can’t get pregnant because you have PCOS), it’s a good idea to figure out a birth control plan if you want to avoid pregnancy. Just keep in mind that if you’re using Mounjaro (or its generic, tirzepatide), you may want to use something other than the pill, since it messes with your stomach’s absorption of the pill, which could make it work less well.
If you do become pregnant while using any of these drugs, let your doctor or nurse know right away. We don’t know yet whether these drugs are safe to take while pregnant, so your doctor or nurse will likely recommend you stop taking it if you decide to continue the pregnancy.