Don’t take them if trying to conceive without talking to your doctor. The effects on fertility & pregnancy of new weight loss medications have not been studied enough.
Weight management is often a critical factor in fertility. Obesity and excess weight can negatively affect fertility in women and men. Achieving a healthy weight can significantly improve reproductive health. With advances in obesity medicine, new weight loss medications are becoming a popular option for those looking to manage their weight effectively.
However, these medications also introduce new considerations for those trying to conceive or undergoing fertility treatments.
We agree with the FDA’s (Food and Drug Administration’s) advice that people should stop taking semaglutide weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy for two months before trying to conceive. This is our advice on similar medications like Saxenda and Mounjaro.
There is just not enough data on their effects on fertility and pregnancy to take that chance.
Let’s explore the relationship between these new weight loss medications and fertility and pregnancy, as well as their benefits and risks. We’ll start with the benefits.
How weight loss medications can improve fertility and chances of conception
For individuals with a high body mass index (BMI), weight loss medications can offer several fertility-related benefits. Weight loss can restore ovulatory cycles in individuals with irregular periods due to obesity or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Semaglutides (Ozempic for diabetes; Wegovy for weight loss) have the potential to initiate a series of effects that can aid in the restoration of disrupted cycles caused by PCOS.
We know how excited people are about the weight loss that can come from these new medications, including people trying to conceive. There’s no doubt that weight plays a significant role in hormonal balance and thus reproductive health.
Obesity can cause hormonal balance issues, irregular or absent ovulation and conditions like PCOS, all of which can affect fertility. In men, excess weight can reduce sperm quality and testosterone levels. Research shows that even modest weight loss – about 5%-10% of body weight – can improve ovulation, menstrual regularity and overall fertility outcomes.
But always discuss such weight loss medications with your fertility specialist
For individuals taking these new weight loss medications and planning to conceive, timing is everything. Healthcare providers, including those at TRM, generally recommend discontinuing such weight loss medications at least two months before attempting pregnancy to allow the body to stabilize hormonally.
Close monitoring by our fertility specialists, and if possible an obesity medicine expert, is crucial to ensure a safe and effective transition. This team-based approach helps address both weight and fertility challenges simultaneously, maximizing the chances of a successful pregnancy.
What are Ozpemic, Wegovy and other semaglutide weight loss medications?
Semaglutide is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists). These medications are primarily used to manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, but they have also shown significant effectiveness in promoting weight loss.
Semaglutide is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1, which is involved in regulating appetite, insulin production and blood sugar levels. When administered as a medication, semaglutide helps:
- Suppress your appetite by targeting areas of the brain responsible for hunger.
- Slows the rate at which the stomach empties, increasing feelings of fullness.
- Improves insulin sensitivity and reduces blood sugar levels.
More on specific weight loss medications
Ozempic
Ozempic is an injected drug primarily prescribed for managing type 2 diabetes. Although Ozempic is not explicitly approved for weight loss, many patients using it for diabetes management experience significant weight reduction as a secondary benefit.
Rybelsus
Rybelsus is another brand name semaglutide also approved by the FDA to manage type 2 diabetes, similar to Ozempic. Rybelsus is taken as an oral tablet and is not approved to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease in those with type 2 diabetes, as is Ozeympic.
Wegovy
Wegovy is exclusively approved for chronic weight management with the active ingredient being semaglutide, but at a higher dose than Ozempic.
Mounjaro and Zepbound
These are brand names of the drug tirzepatide. They work in similar ways to semaglultides and both have shown to be effective in weight loss. Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound is approved for weight loss in adults with a BMI of 30 or higher and for those overweight with another health condition like high blood pressure.
Saxenda
Saxenda is a brand name for the drug liraglutide (Victoza is another brand name form). Saxenda is specifically approved for weight management in individuals with obesity or those with a BMI of 27+ who have obesity-related conditions (e.g., high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes).
Risks regarding weight loss medications, trying to conceive & pregnancy
Although these medications are effective in assisting patients with significant weight loss, there is currently no available data to support their safety for use during pregnancy, leading the FDA to advise against their use.
Since animal studies suggest semaglutide could potentially harm offspring, it’s not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Most medications, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, are not approved for use during pregnancy due to potential risks to fetal development.
This includes tirzepatides (Mounjaro and Zepbound) and liraglutide (Saxenda). There is not enough data to determine the negative effects of any of these drugs on pregnancy or when trying to conceive to warrant taking them for the benefits of weight loss.
Because these drugs stay in the body for a long time, it’s a good idea to stop taking semaglutide, tirzepatides and lifaglutide at least two months before trying to get pregnant. The Obesity Medicine Association strongly recommends that individuals stop taking these medications before attempting to conceive.
Patients using weight loss medications should carefully plan their fertility journey. They must be used with caution and under the guidance of healthcare professionals, especially for those planning to conceive.
Alternative methods for weight loss to improve fertility
Weight loss medications can be a valuable tool in improving fertility for individuals struggling with obesity or weight-related reproductive challenges. But they should be used before trying to conceive, then stopped when you are attempting to get pregnant, and certainly if you are pregnant.
While weight loss medications can be helpful, they are most effective when combined with lifestyle changes and are often prescribed along with other efforts to lose weight. A balanced diet, regular exercise and stress management are critical components of any weight management plan. These changes not only enhance the effects of weight loss medications but also contribute to long-term fertility and overall health.
Additionally, patients should focus on adopting sustainable habits to maintain weight loss, as regaining weight can counteract fertility improvements.
Related reading: Kim’s story on lifestyle change to get pregnant