Health
This is a side effect they weren’t expecting.
Women are getting pregnant while using Ozempic — with doctors saying there are two key reasons why the weight loss shots fuel fertility.
TikTok user @dkaslolive shared a video to the social media site last month saying she was stunned to learn she was expecting a baby shortly after she started on the medication.
Her news prompted a wave of responses from other moms-to-be in the same situation.
“I was told I was infertile after my 2nd C-section,” one wrote. “I took Ozempic for 4 months and boom — pregnant.”
“Yes girl same!!” a second chimed in. “I had PCOS [polycystic ovary syndrome] and infertility issues for years. On Ozempic for 2 months and BAM! “
Other women said they had already given birth to what they affectionately dubbed their “Ozempic babies.”
“My surprise Ozempic baby is almost 4 months old and thankfully very healthy!” one proud mama proclaimed.
The women are far from alone.
Many doctors say they’re noticing the phenomenon playing out in their practices and believe there are two reasons why Ozempic and other similar GLP-1 medications, such as Mounjaro and Wegovy, increase the likelihood of getting pregnant.
First, weight loss can help regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle and boost fertility. Many medics say they’ve seen patients’ PCOS symptoms alleviate quickly after they start to use the drug, as in the case of the TikTokker commenter above.
Secondly, the drugs could reduce the efficacy of birth control pills.
Some docs are even imploring their Ozempic patients to use backup birth control options, such as condoms if they’re not actively trying for a child.
“It’s true that, from a scientific perspective, these medications may make it easier for people to get pregnant,” Dr. Allison Rodgers, an OB-GYN and reproductive endocrinologist at Fertility Centers of Illinois, told USA Today.
However, she warned that Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro should not be used to try and increase the chances of having a baby.
“There could be dangerous consequences if taken while pregnant given the drugs can linger in your system,” she declared.
The makers of GLP-1 medications actually recommend that women stop taking the drug two months before trying for a child.
According to USA Today, tests carried out on monkeys, rats and rabbits revealed that the injections can lead to miscarriage and birth defects if they are used during pregnancy.
TikTok user @dkaslolive isn’t taking any chances, telling her followers that she “immediately” stopped taking Ozempic as soon as she found out she was pregnant.
“Baby is absolutely healthy,” she excitedly declared. “Baby was checked this morning, and baby is going good!”
Load more…
{{/isDisplay}}{{#isAniviewVideo}}
{{/isAniviewVideo}}{{#isSRVideo}}
{{/isSRVideo}}
Rachel Carter is a health and wellness expert dedicated to helping readers lead healthier lives. With a background in nutrition, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being.
