Increased Fertility / "Ozempic Babies"
Users on Reddit are reporting a phenomenon of increased fertility, sometimes referred to as "Ozempic Babies," while taking GLP-1 medications. Many attribute this to the weight loss and hormonal regulation effects of the drugs, particularly for those with conditions like PCOS.
Experiences with Increased Fertility:
For individuals with PCOS, the impact on fertility can be significant. One user with PCOS stated, "From my experience with PCOS and GLP1’s, it made me super fertile... "[1]. Another user with PCOS who had been trying to conceive (TTC) for 2. 5 years with losses, "stopped actively trying... and I started ozempic. After 6-8 weeks on it I found out I was pregnant! This baby stuck and she's a perfectly healthy 1 year old. "[24]. Similarly, someone else shared, "I got pregnant whilst on the glp-1 after trying for nearly two years , so it obviously did something! "[27].
Some users specifically used GLP-1s to aid fertility. "I did 5-6 months on MJ to improve my fertility. It worked. I’m now 6 months pregnant and i dropped 30kg. "[26]. Another mentioned, "I primarily went on it in order to access IVF funding - as I was overweight. Two months in and I’ve met the target weight. "[10].
There are also accounts of unexpected pregnancies. One user's friend "got preggo on Ozempic at age 43. She was married for 15 years and assumed she just couldn’t get pregnant. "[22].
The mechanism is often thought to be related to weight loss and improved metabolic health. A user commented, "Weight loss helps fertility too if you are overweight... "[21]. Another suggested for PCOS patients, "It’s tackling the insulin resistance with PCOS. "[14].
Remedies and Preventions (Recommendations for TTC/Pregnancy):
Many doctors advise stopping the medication before attempting to conceive. "Most doctors probably would advise them to stop while TTC. "[11]. The standard recommendation seems to be a 2-month washout period: "Well, if you’re planning to get pregnant, GLP-1s are to be discontinued 2 months before even with natural pregnancy. "[12] and "They should stop at least two months prior to pregnancy. "[30]. This is also the advice for fertility treatments: "Lost 60+ on Mounjaro, but RE said stop immediately and to be off it for two months before we could get things going. "[32].
Some users stop upon a positive pregnancy test: "Each time I found out I was pregnant I IMMEDIATELY stopped taking it. "[1] and "My gyno gave me the green light to be on a GLP-1 while TTC. Both my gyno and doctor administering the medication agreed on this. I waited to administer my next round of shot until I was at 10dpo so I could take a pregnancy test. It was positive! I am 6 weeks today and off the glp-1. "[17]. Another said their RE "never mentioned preventing pregnancy during that time. I just stopped immediately after finding out I was pregnant and tested before my doses later in my cycle. "[24].
The reason for stopping is due to unknown effects on the fetus. "The GLP-1s pass through the placenta and distrupt the health of the fetus. A developing baby in-utero does not need these medications and will be affected forever by them. "[13] Another user stated, "We have no data for GLP-1s and pregnancy. We don’t know if they cause defects... So why not play it safe and stop 2 months before the transfer? "[12]. One user mentioned their step-father, a registered nurse, "strictly told me to stop using it if I get pregnant because it can cause miscarriages and baby deformities. "[34].
Continuing GLP-1s While TTC (with medical guidance): Some users, under medical supervision, continue GLP-1s while trying to conceive.
"My fertility clinic is recommending that I stay on it while TTC because the weight loss benefit outweighs the potential risk (for me specifically). "[23].
"My doctor told me that in my case benefit outweighs risks and to continue until I become pregnant. " This user specified they have type 1 diabetes and use it for blood sugar balance. [33].
One user's gynecologist said to stop upon a positive test, while their primary doctor recommended stopping 2 months prior. The gynecologist researched and noted animal studies but also that similar diabetes medications are used during pregnancy. [35].
Stopping for Egg Freezing/IVF Procedures: For procedures involving anesthesia, stopping the medication is advised due to delayed gastric emptying.
"I took this medication until the week before my retrieval. I had amazing results... No interaction but can affect anesthesia bc of delayed gastric emptying. "[2].
"I will have to be off the medication while under treatment and egg retrieval for two weeks. "[5] This was clarified as being for anesthesia: "2 weeks is for the anesthesia. "[7]. Another user's fertility doctor said to stop 1 week before anesthesia for egg retrieval. [6].
Alternative Medications for PCOS/Insulin Resistance While TTC:
Metformin is frequently suggested as a safer alternative during TTC. "It’s tackling the insulin resistance with PCOS. I was on WeGovy and told to stop when ttc and put instead on Metformin. "[14]. Another user highly recommended it: "I would HIGHLY reccomend replacing your GLP-1 with Metformin. For me, it does everything a GLP-1 did but more... Best of all, it’s extremely safe, old, and well studied to the point of being considered safe during pregnancy... "[18]. One user shared, "Each time I've gotten pregnant has been while I was on metformin. "[16].
Contraception: Advised for those on GLP-1s not actively trying to conceive. "Currently I am advising contraception for reproductive age females on GLP-1s. "[29]. This is because "glp’s can make BC not effective so lots of Zep babies"[4].
NIH-Reviewed Study: One user shared a link to an NIH-reviewed observational study suggesting "GLP1 exposure in early pregnancy has no increased risk of abnormalities, miscarriages, etc. "[8], with another comment providing the results abstract from the study. [15]. However, the study itself concludes, "Due to the limited sample size, larger studies are required to validate these findings. "[15].
It's important to note that while many users report increased fertility, the decision to continue or stop GLP-1 medications when trying to conceive or during pregnancy should be made in consultation with healthcare providers, as medical advice varies and the long-term effects on fetal development are not fully understood.
Experiences with Increased Fertility:
- A common sentiment is surprise at the increased fertility.
Remedies and Preventions (Recommendations for TTC/Pregnancy):
- Stopping GLP-1s Before/During Pregnancy: This is the most common advice, though the timing varies.
It's important to note that while many users report increased fertility, the decision to continue or stop GLP-1 medications when trying to conceive or during pregnancy should be made in consultation with healthcare providers, as medical advice varies and the long-term effects on fetal development are not fully understood.