Southern California Reproductive Center Fertility Specialists Give Warning on How Popular Weight-Loss Drugs Could Impact Fertility

It’s estimated 1 out of every 8 people, or roughly 13% of the U.S. population, has tried weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. The class of drugs, also known as GLP-1 agonists, is commonly prescribed for weight loss, to treat diabetes or to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in adults with heart disease. However, fertility specialist Dr. Carolyn Alexander with Southern California Reproductive Center, wants to warn women about some of these drugs’ potential unintended side effects as it relates to fertility.

“The important thing people need to remember is that weight-loss drugs like Ozempic are relatively newer drugs that have suddenly become immensely popular, so we advise our patients to err on the side of caution when it comes to taking them while trying to also conceive,” said Dr. Alexander. “The drugs themselves may impact fertility but can potentially put a woman’s body into a more optimal state for conception or potentially change the way birth control pills are absorbed in the bloodstream. It’s also important to know that pregnant women were not included in the Ozempic trials, so the risks or potential benefits are not entirely clear to the industry yet. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says to wait eight weeks between coming off GLP-1 medications and stopping birth control before trying to conceive and get pregnant.”

Other popular weight-loss drugs containing the GLP agonist used in Ozempic include Wegovy, Saxenda and Mounjaro. These drugs are often prescribed for people with diabetes and those who are overweight to help lower blood sugar levels and lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. When taken, the active weight-loss ingredient connects with receptors in the body to create the sensation of fullness and make people feel less hungry. Dr. Alexander said that while these drugs may inadvertently increase a woman’s ability to conceive children, they shouldn’t be used as a means of increasing fertility without consulting a doctor.

“It’s a tricky balance because we have seen that these weight-loss drugs can be life-changing and certainly a healthy weight can be very positive when it comes to contraception,” said Dr. Alexander. “Obesity can cause inflammation, and inflammation can impact future cardiovascular risk and have hormonal effects. Reaching ideal weight is an ultimate goal for all patients, but if considering conception within the next eight weeks, then it is not ideal to be taking the GLP-1 agonist. If planning an embryo transfer, we recommend discontinuing medication six to eight weeks prior to the transfer, unless an endocrinologist recommends taking the medication for diabetes. I want our patients to know these weight-loss drugs are not bad, but we don’t recommend people taking them while trying to conceive.”

Dr. Alexander specializes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and adds that while Ozempic has not received FDA approval for treating PCOS, it may potentially be an option for PCOS management in patients who are not actively trying to conceive but trying to manage their symptoms. For more information about Southern California Reproductive Center, go to www.scrcivf.com.

About SCRC

Southern California Reproductive Center (SCRC) is an innovative fertility clinic that focuses on respect and compassion through its values of being inclusive and supporting a diverse patient population. Its doctors and fertility specialists are pioneers in the fields of assisted reproductive technology and endocrinology. For more than 25 years, the fertility specialists at SCRC have been a ranking choice in Southern California. Patients can visit offices in Beverly Hills/Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Pasadena and Ventura.

Cutline: Southern California Reproductive Center Fertility Specialists Give Warning on How Popular Weight-Loss Drugs Could Impact Fertility.

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