Dr. Ahmed A major safety alert from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has sent shockwaves through the medical world.
They are warning women who use popular GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, which are commonly known as ‘weight loss jabs,’ of an increased risk of unexpected pregnancies, even when using birth control.
Well-known names like Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Victoza can potentially affect fertility.
The MHRA’s warning brings attention to the serious link between weight loss, fertility changes, and medication safety, which is something both patients and doctors must urgently consider.
For months, stories about unexpected ‘Ozempic babies’ and ‘Mounjaro babies’ have spread online, suggesting that women may become more fertile while losing weight on these drugs.
Now, the UK’s drug regulator has confirmed these worries, revealing over 40 reports of pregnancies in women taking GLP-1 drugs, many of which were not planned.
This is not just about individual stories as it is a wider health issue that requires a better understanding of how these meds may impact the female body.
How GLP-1s may affect contraception
The MHRA’s warning mainly highlights a few key points. First, there is concern that oral contraceptives may not work as well when used with Mounjaro (tirzepatide).
This is likely because GLP-1 agonists slow down how quickly the stomach empties, which is one of the ways these drugs help control appetite and blood sugar.
By slowing digestion, GLP-1s may affect how well oral medicines, like birth control pills, are absorbed into the body.
Research from 2024 shows tirzepatide can lower how much of the contraceptive hormone ethinylestradiol (a synthetic estrogen in many birth control pills) reaches the bloodstream by 20% and delay its full absorption.
While semaglutide seems to have a smaller effect on this process, the slower stomach emptying seen with all GLP-1 drugs remains a concern.
Also, common side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea caused by these drugs can prevent the body from absorbing birth control properly.
If a woman vomits soon after taking the pill or has long-lasting diarrhea, the pill may not have enough time to work, making it less effective.
This is why the agency suggests that women using Mounjaro who take birth control pills should also use a barrier method, like condoms, to stay protected.
This is especially important during the first four weeks of starting Mounjaro and after any increase in dosage.
Navigating pregnancy and GLP-1 use
Beyond affecting birth control, a bigger worry is the lack of safety data on GLP-1 drugs during pregnancy.
These drugs work well for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, but we do not fully understand how they might affect a growing baby in humans. Animal studies have shown some risks, like low birth weight and bone problems [ref].
Because of this, the MHRA clearly warns against using these drugs during pregnancy, when trying to get pregnant, or while breastfeeding.
If a woman finds out she is pregnant while using them, she should stop the medication right away and talk to her doctor.
The MHRA also advises using birth control for a while after stopping the drug before trying to conceive.
For semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), this waiting time is at least two months; for tirzepatide (Mounjaro), it is at least one month.
This helps make sure the drug is fully out of the body, reducing any risk to the early pregnancy stage.
For other GLP-1 drugs like liraglutide, the wait may be shorter or just until right before trying to conceive because it leaves the body faster, so it is important to check the product’s specific advice.
Unregulated “Skinny Jabs”
The growing popularity of GLP-1 drugs, driven by their strong weight loss effects, has sadly also led to a rise in illegal sales.
The MHRA has used this moment to repeat its strong warning against buying “skinny jabs” from unapproved sources like beauty salons or social media.
Not only is this illegal, but these products can be unsafe and unpredictable, sometimes containing fake ingredients.
Some fake versions have even included insulin, causing dangerously low blood sugar or other harmful substances.
The MHRA stresses that the only safe way to get real GLP-1 medication is through a trusted pharmacy with a valid prescription from a qualified doctor.
Getting these drugs from unapproved sources not only puts people at risk of serious health problems, but also means they miss out on key safety advice, including guidance on pregnancy and birth control that the MHRA has clearly explained.
This detailed warning from the MHRA is a really important reminder that while GLP-1 agonists can be life-changing for many, their side effects must be taken seriously for women who could become pregnant.
Doctors are now being told to talk about birth control with all patients using these drugs, which is highlighting the importance of reliable methods like implants or coils, which don’t rely on how well the body absorbs them.
For women, this is a sign to stay alert, learn how their medicine works, and have honest talks with their doctors about future pregnancy plans while taking these treatments.
