Ozempic® Fertility: “Ozempic® Babies,“ Safety, and More
Currently, there’s no reason to believe Ozempic® causes infertility.
The medication isn’t a fertility treatment, but it helps manage type 2 diabetes and sometimes obesity, both of which are linked to fertility issues.
Ozempic® may also regularise your menstrual cycle if you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), possibly making it easier to become pregnant.
More research is needed on all counts.
In this article, we’ll answer all the Ozempic® fertility and semaglutide pregnancy questions you might have, including how the medication can impact the menstrual cycle, whether it affects birth control pills, and what the fuss over “Ozempic® babies” is all about.
Does Ozempic® Affect Fertility?
It’s unknown if Ozempic® can negatively impact fertility. Prescribing information from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) doesn’t mention it, nor does the package leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What we do know is that Ozempic® can help treat conditions linked to fertility issues.
One 2019 research review suggests that GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) like semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic®) might help with things like:
Hormonal imbalance
Irregular menstrual cycles
Fertility issues
Inflammation and other problems in the ovaries and uterus
So, these medications may be beneficial for people with fertility issues and type 2 diabetes, PCOS, or obesity. But more research is needed.
Here’s what we know so far, in greater detail.
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Obesity and Weight Loss
Research has linked obesity with infertility. And weight loss can improve fertility problems for people with obesity.
For example, several studies suggest that women with excess weight or obesity take longer to conceive on average and have a higher miscarriage rate than those in a “normal“ or “healthy“ weight range.
Women with obesity are also twice as likely to have irregular menstrual cycles compared to women without obesity.
Losing weight may help your periods become more regular and improve your fertility in the long run.
One important thing to note is that Ozempic® is licensed to treat type 2 diabetes in the UK, but it’s sometimes prescribed off-licence for weight loss. An off-licence prescription is when a medicine is prescribed for something it isn’t licensed for.
Wegovy®, which has the same active ingredient, is licensed for weight loss in those with obesity or overweight who have a weight-related health condition.
How Weight Loss Affects the Menstrual Cycle
It’s also worth noting that losing a significant amount of weight can interfere with your menstrual cycle.
One self-reported survey found that weight changes, including weight loss, were associated with irregular menstrual cycles among women with obesity and abdominal obesity (excess weight around the centre of the body).
Additional research shows that significant weight loss can lead to temporary amenorrhea, when periods stop altogether.
So, while losing weight can improve fertility, it may also affect your periods, making it more challenging to get pregnant. It’s unclear how long this could last.
Ozempic® and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in which the ovaries and adrenal glands produce more male hormones than usual and cysts develop on the ovaries.
PCOS can cause:
Irregular periods
Infertility
Weight gain
Ozempic® may improve fertility if you have PCOS. In a small 2023 study, 27 women with obesity and PCOS took a weekly 0.5-milligram (mg) semaglutide injection for three months.
After three months, almost 80 percent of the participants lost at least five percent of their body weight, and 80 percent of those women experienced normalised menstrual cycle lengths.
Regular menstrual cycles can make it a bit easier to predict ovulation, but everyone’s body is different — and many people with irregular cycles still get pregnant.
Type 2 Diabetes, Ozempic®, and Fertility
As with obesity, type 2 diabetes is associated with fertility challenges.
Research shows that type 2 diabetes may affect fertility, change the length of your menstrual cycle, and even influence when you start menopause. These effects might be related to the link between type 2 diabetes and PCOS, though the connection isn’t fully understood.
Insulin resistance can lead to having too much insulin in the blood. This can result in hormonal changes and make the body produce an excess of male hormones, which could prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg.
Ozempic® can help manage type 2 diabetes. But it’s unclear whether this improves fertility.
What’s Up With “Ozempic® Babies“?
The terms “Ozempic® babies“ and “Ozempic® fertility“ have been appearing in headlines and on social media. You might have even seen an article titled, “I got pregnant while taking Ozempic®!“
All of this refers to the surprise pregnancies women are reporting on Ozempic® despite having a history of fertility troubles.
Does Ozempic® increase fertility, then? We can’t say for certain. These unexpected pregnancies might be because of how weight loss can influence reproductive hormones and ovulation. But there aren’t any clinical studies on Ozempic® improving fertility. For now, women are anecdotally reporting better fertility as a side effect of taking the medicine.
It’s not just Ozempic® pregnancies, either. Women taking other GLP-1s have reported unexpected pregnancies, too.
Besides Wegovy® (which contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic®), other weight loss medications include Saxenda® (liraglutide) and Mounjaro® (tirzepatide).
If you’re trying to get pregnant or think you may be facing fertility issues, speak to your GP (general practitioner) or a fertility specialist for personalised advice.
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Does Ozempic® Affect Birth Control?
It doesn’t look like Ozempic® affects birth control.
Guidance from the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) says there’s currently no evidence that semaglutide (Ozempic® and Wegovy®) reduces the effectiveness of contraception. That includes oral contraception, like the pill, and non-oral contraception, like the coil or implant.
Guidance is different if you’re on the pill and taking tirzepatide (Mounjaro®), though.
Mounjaro® works slightly differently from Ozempic®, and it may impact how well the pill works. The current advice is to use a barrier method of contraception (like condoms) alongside the pill for four weeks after starting Mounjaro® and for four weeks after any increase in dose. You can also consider switching to a non-oral contraceptive.
For the best advice, tell your GP or private provider if you’re on the pill. They can let you know if you need a different or backup method of contraception.
Can You Take Ozempic® While Pregnant?
When it comes to Ozempic® and pregnancy, more research is needed to know if GLP-1 receptor agonists are safe for pregnant women.
The current advice is to not take Ozempic® while pregnant. And it’s recommended you stop taking it two months or more before trying to conceive.
If you’re taking Ozempic® for any reason — whether to manage type 2 diabetes or support weight loss — a medical professional can help you decide what’s best for your body and your needs.
Ozempic® Pregnancy Safety Considerations
For weight loss, that will probably mean stopping Ozempic® before trying to get pregnant or during pregnancy.
For type 2 diabetes, the benefits of staying on the medication may outweigh the potential risks. In those cases, your GP might suggest continuing Ozempic® or switching to an alternative medication to help manage blood sugar (glucose) levels, like metformin.
Speak to a GP or private healthcare provider if you’re thinking about getting pregnant. They can help you make a plan that supports both your health and your future pregnancy.
What to Do If You Get Pregnant on Ozempic®
If you find out you’re pregnant while taking Ozempic® (whether you’re in early pregnancy or a later trimester), let your GP know as soon as you can. They’ll review your individual situation and guide you on the best next steps, which might include stopping the medication, staying on it, or switching to a different medicine.
Your GP is there to support you and help you make the best decisions for your health and pregnancy, so don’t be afraid to reach out and get advice.
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Ozempic® Fertility: Final Thoughts
If you have questions or concerns about how Ozempic® might affect fertility, don’t hesitate to reach out to a GP. They can help you understand what this means for your individual situation and guide you with personalised advice.
Here are some final FAQs and answers about Ozempic® and fertility:
Does Ozempic® cause infertility? There’s not enough research yet to say for certain, but so far, it doesn’t look like Ozempic® can cause infertility.
Does semaglutide affect fertility? It’s not a fertility treatment, but semaglutide can treat obesity and help manage type 2 diabetes, which are linked to fertility problems. Research also suggests it can help regulate menstrual cycles for people with PCOS. Semaglutide can be especially helpful when combined with healthy lifestyle changes, like moving more and eating a balanced diet.
Can you get pregnant on Ozempic®? Yes, it’s possible to get pregnant on Ozempic®. Some women report surprise semaglutide pregnancies. If you become pregnant, let your GP know right away. If you’re taking Ozempic® for weight loss, you’ll likely be advised to stop it during pregnancy, but situations can vary.
If you’re planning to try to conceive within the next couple of months, your GP will likely recommend stopping Ozempic®. But if starting a family is further down the road, weight loss drugs might be helpful to reach a healthier weight beforehand.
Take our free online weight loss assessment to find out if you’re eligible for weight loss medication and get help finding the best treatment for you.
Ozempic® and Wegovy® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Hims, Inc. is not affiliated with or endorsed by Novo Nordisk A/S.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your GP about the risks and benefits of any treatment.