Dr. Ahmed
The Mounjaro and Ozempic baby boom is not unreal. This is what most endocrinologists and gynecologists expected.
Weight loss is one of the key fertility-enhancing factors in obese women and women with PCOS.
However, on the other hand, both Mounjaro and Ozempic are contraindicated in pregnant women.
The manufacturer recommends stopping GLP-1 analogs at least four weeks before a planned pregnancy.
There are reports of women conceiving and delivering healthy babies despite their babies getting exposed to GLP-1 analogs (Ozempic and Mounjaro) during the first trimester.
These babies are commonly referred to as “Ozempic Babies” or “Mounjaro Babies”.
If you don’t know, GLP-1 medications like semaglutide are a group of drugs used for weight loss. The latest GLP-1 analogs, Ozempic and Mounjaro, are considered the most potent diabetes and weight loss medications.
These are FDA approved, as once-a-week subcutaneous injections. They have a long half-life of about four weeks. Hence, both these drugs stay in our bodies for about 4 weeks at least.
But how do these weight loss drugs improve fertility?
Firstly, these are just individual stories. Secondly, we do not have controlled studies to show the exact association.
But nonetheless, the chances of conception increase as an obese woman loses weight. Weight loss is one of the important factors that improve fertility. That is why, obese women with PCOS are advised to lose weight.
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GLP-1 Analogs and Fertility
The fertility puzzle:
The association between drugs and pregnancies is still being studied, and researchers are exploring the following possibilities:
Metabolic shift and PCOS:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, basically an abnormality in your hormone levels, can damage ovulation and lead to infertility.
GLP-1 meds like Ozempic and Mounjaro work by improving insulin sensitivity and promote weight loss; this way, they possibly restore ovulation in women suffering from PCOS.
Furthermore, a healthy metabolism is achieved, which is a critical component in regulating hormones involved in ovulation.
Birth control interaction:
Even though GLP-1 is not termed as birth control, some studies recommend that these drugs might interfere with particular hormonal contraceptive methods like the pill [ref].
Through this interaction, the effectiveness of birth control will significantly drop, which will lead to unplanned pregnancies.
The need for more knowledge:
Undoubtedly, we need research to understand precisely how a GLP-1 can affect fertility.
So, until we receive more confirmation from scientific evidence, the ‘Ozempic baby boom’ is nothing more than reported anecdotal experiences.
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Ozempic Babies: Anecdotal reports and social media
The Buzz Online:
There is a rave about the ‘Ozempic baby boom’ on social media. Multiple women are sharing their stories on Facebook and TikTok about their unexpected pregnancies while taking these GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Sharing experiences:
An online creator on TikTok shared her story, saying ‘I got pregnant on a GLP-1’ she also added a PSA explaining
‘there are studies that show that a GLP-1 drug can lessen the effectiveness of your birth control and then it also heightens your fertility’.
Olivia further goes on to remind people not to take GLP-1 if they are pregnant and that she stopped taking Ozempic as soon as she found out. Thankful her baby is healthy.
She was not the only one as viewers commented on their personal experiences, saying,
“My little Mounjaro baby is almost 6 months old after trying for over 10 years with PCOS!.”
While another woman commented on the post that her daughter got pregnant after her first shot of Ozempic despite trying for years with no results.
Another one goes,
‘I got pregnant on Ozempic! I was due for my weekly shot and noticed I was late! Tested and boom! No more ozempic! Beautiful healthy baby boy!’
A note of caution:
Even though these stories are like a ray of hope for women, we should not forget that such cases can vary from person to person, and they do not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship between GLP-1 meds and unexpected pregnancies.
We definitely need more scientific evidence to develop a connection.
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Medical concerns and research
Uncertain Cause and Effect:
People need to be careful before considering Ozempic as a fertility goddess. While this entire situation has sparked online discussion, these are just personal reports that do not establish a proper link between either variable.
We need large-scale clinical trials to understand the cause-and-effect relationship. Such studies should involve a significant number of subjects taking GLP-1 meds and comparing their chances of conception to a control group.
Potential Risks and Animal Studies:
Furthermore, studies using human subjects to analyze the combination of GLP-1 and rates of fertility are too limited, but animal studies have shown potential risks if used during pregnancy.
GLP-1 can reduce fetal growth, according to a study from 2023 [ref]. So, if you have conceived while being on Ozempic, then immediately stop the treatment plan and contact your doctor.
Doctor as Your Partner:
You need to consult your doctor before initiating GLP-1 medication treatment as there are no clear answers and because of the potential concerns raised by both animal studies and anecdotal reports.
This is even more important if you are concerned about your fertility or trying to conceive.
Your doctor will be able to analyze your condition from all angles while considering your medical history, weight loss goals, and fertility plans.
Based on this information, they can advise you on the most appropriate course of action.
This might include exploring alternative weight loss strategies if you’re concerned about the potential impact of GLP-1 medications on fertility or discussing alternative birth control methods if you plan to become pregnant in the future.
