Does Ozempic affect fertility? What you need to know

Rattanasak Khuentana // Shutterstock Currently, there’s no reason to believe that Ozempic® causes infertility. In fact, Ozempic could potentially boost your fertility since it helps treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, both of which are linked to fertility issues. Below, Hers dives into how Ozempic affects fertility, including its effects on menstrual cycle, hormones, and birth control.  Does Ozempic Affect Fertility? There have been no studies showing that Ozempic can negatively impact fertility. People on social media are actually suggesting the opposite. The term “Ozempic babies” has been trending recently as women report experiencing surprise pregnancies while taking Ozempic, despite having a history of fertility trouble.  Here’s what to know so far. Menstrual cycle and hormones  There isn’t much human research looking into how Ozempic can affect menstrual cycle and reproductive hormones.  There are some animal studies to go off, though.  According to the drug manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, in one study, rats were given 0.01mg, 0.03mg, and 0.09mg of semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy®) per kilogram of body weight per day.  Male rats were given these doses four weeks before mating and female rats were given them two weeks before mating.  Fertility wasn’t affected in the male rats, but the female rats’ estrus (or reproductive) cycle increased in length at all semaglutide doses. As of now, it’s unclear if this would lead to any changes in fertility or even happen in humans.  Female rats also had a small reduction in corpora lutea at doses larger than 0.03mg of semaglutide per kilogram of body weight per day.  Corpora lutea are collections of cells that develop each time an ovary releases an egg. These cells release pregnancy hormones like progesterone to help the body start and maintain a healthy pregnancy.  But, similar to the significance of the longer reproductive cycle, it’s unclear if this reduction in corpora lutea would affect fertility–or if changes would even happen in humans taking Ozempic.  As for pregnancy hormones in general, there isn’t any research looking into how Ozempic affects hormones related to fertility like estrogen or progesterone. Clinical trials also don’t note any hormone changes.   Read more about how Ozempic may or may not affect periods in this guide. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)  Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which the ovaries and adrenal glands produce more male hormones than normal and cysts develop on the ovaries.  PCOS can cause: Irregular periods  Infertility  Weight gain  Ozempic may improve fertility if you have PCOS.  In a 2023 study, 27 women with obesity and PCOS took a weekly 0.5mg semaglutide injection for three months.  At the end of the experiment, almost 80% of the women lost at least 5% of their body weight, and 80% of those women experienced normalized menstrual cycle lengths.  A normal-length menstrual cycle may make it easier to get pregnant. Obesity and weight loss  Research shows that obesity is associated with infertility. Weight loss can improve fertility problems for people with obesity.  For example, several studies suggest that women with excess weight or obesity take longer to conceive and have a higher miscarriage rate. Women with obesity also have at least twofold greater odds of having an irregular menstrual cycle compared to women without obesity.  It’s possible that losing weight while taking weight loss injections may help periods become more regular and improve fertility in the long run.  However, losing a significant amount of weight–which can happen on Ozempic and other GLP-1s –can wreak havoc on the menstrual cycle.  One survey involving self-reported questionnaires found that weight changes, including weight loss, are associated with irregular menstrual cycles among women with obesity and abdominal obesity (aka obesity around the center of the body). Additional research shows that significant weight loss can lead to amenorrhea, which is when periods stop altogether.  So, on the flip side, some may find losing weight on Ozempic causes periods to become irregular or stop, which can make it harder to get pregnant. This may not happen for everyone, though, and it’s unclear how long periods tend to remain irregular.  Type 2 diabetes  Just like obesity, type 2 diabetes is associated with infertility.  Research shows that type 2 diabetes can cause infertility, change the length of the menstrual cycle, and change the age menopause starts. This may be because type 2 diabetes is linked to PCOS.  Breaking it down: Insulin resistance can lead to having too much insulin in the blood. This can lead to hormonal changes and trigger the body to produce an excess of male hormones, which could cause the ovaries to not release an egg.  Obesity is one of the primary risk factors for type 2 diabetes.  But it’s unclear whether treating type 2 diabetes with Ozempic could improve fertility. Further, the Ozempic prescribing information recommends stopping the drug two months before trying for a baby.  Your health care provider can help you find the best diabetes treatment for you if you’re planning on trying for a baby soon.  Does Ozempic Affect Birth Control?   It’s unclear if Ozempic can affect hormonal birth control. There aren’t any studies on it, and the prescribing information the FDA gives doesn’t mention it.  However, Ozempic delays stomach emptying–slowing down the movement of food from the stomach to the intestines. This could impact how the body absorbs medications, including oral contraceptives. Plus, other diabetes and weight loss medications like Mounjaro® and Zepbound® may negatively impact birth control effectiveness, so it’s not too far of a leap to assume that Ozempic may as well.  Tell your prescribing health care provider if you take oral contraceptives. They can let you know if you should use a different method of contraception. Can You Take Ozempic While Pregnant? As mentioned above, you should stop taking Ozempic at least two months before you plan on trying for a baby. There aren’t many human studies on Ozempic and pregnancy, so it’s unclear if it’s safe for you and your baby.  So, if you’re taking Ozempic off-label for weight loss, you’ll probably be advised to stop taking it when you want to try for a baby. Since poorly controlled diabetes can be harmful to your baby, your health care provider will assess your personal situation if you’re taking Ozempic for type 2 diabetes. They may advise you to stay on Ozempic if the benefits outweigh the potential risks. Alternatively, they may recommend a different diabetes treatment. If you’re on Ozempic, be sure to let your health care provider know if you’re planning on trying for a baby soon. They can let you know if you should stop taking it and when.  What to do If You Get Pregnant While on Ozempic  Let your health care provider know right away. They can assess your personal situation and let you know the best course of action. This may include stopping Ozempic.  If you’re taking Ozempic for type 2 diabetes, your health care provider may recommend a different treatment or recommend you continue taking Ozempic if the benefits outweigh the risks.  If you’re taking Ozempic for weight loss or weight management, you’ll probably be advised to stop taking the drug while pregnant.  Ozempic and Fertility: Final Thoughts  Don’t be shy about reaching out to a health care provider to talk through your fertility concerns. They can let you know whether Ozempic could affect your fertility, taking into account your personal circumstances.  FAQs  Does Ozempic cause infertility? More research is needed, but from what is known so far, it doesn’t look like Ozempic can cause infertility. Does semaglutide affect fertility? Semaglutide may improve fertility. It can treat obesity and type 2 diabetes, which are linked to fertility problems. It can also help normalize the length of your menstrual cycle if you have PCOS. All this could increase your fertility in the long run.  Can you take semaglutide while pregnant? It’s recommended to not take semaglutide while pregnant and to stop taking it about two months before trying for a baby.  If you’re planning on trying for a baby within the next two months or so, you’ll probably be advised against taking Ozempic. But if you’re planning on expanding your family further into the future, Ozempic can help you lose weight before that time comes.  Beyond Ozempic, there are other weight loss drugs to consider, like compounded semaglutide and metformin.  This story was produced by Hers and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.