Is Ozempic leading to more pregnancies? Doctors explain

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BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - It doesn't take long scrolling through social media posts about Ozempic and other semaglutide drugs to see testimonials from women claiming to have gotten pregnant while using or shortly after using the medication. In some cases, women claim their surprise pregnancies occurred after years of struggling with fertility.

"I have had probably at least 10 or 15 patients present after being on Ozempic who have gotten pregnant," said Baton Rouge General OB-GYN Dr. Victoria Bourgeois.

Bourgeois says the explanation for what social media paints as a baby boom is very simple and not surprising.

Metabolic issues, like insulin resistance, can lead to or exasperate other health conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, which can impact fertility. Ozempic and drugs like it address insulin resistance and help normalize the body's metabolism which is what can lead to weight loss.

"Essentially after a little bit of weight loss your ovaries are ready to ovulate," said Bourgeois, who added ovulation can occur spontaneously after sudden weight loss.

While the TikTok videos may seem to paint Ozempic and similar drugs as a potential solution to some infertility problems, Dr. Bourgeois says that is not the case. However, she says it could be a good option for women who may be planning to get pregnant in the future and may be currently struggling with weight or other metabolic issues.

"They're getting pregnant easier because all the sudden they're losing weight and they metabolism can kind of normalize," said Bourgeois.

According to Bourgeois, a healthy weight before pregnancy can make it easier to conceive and lead to fewer pregnancy complications. Dr. Bourgeois warns that there is no data about the potential impact a semaglutide drug may have on pregnancy or an unborn child.

She says women should stop taking the medication immediately if they become pregnant. Patients should also wait about two months after stopping the medication before trying to conceive.

"These medications are really good at not only helping people lose weight but correct the factors that cause the infertility in the first place," said obesity medicine specialist Dr. Drake Bellanger.

Bellanger has seen firsthand how social media has driven up demand for drugs like Ozempic, along with misinformation around it. He says it's important that patients interested in using weight loss medication talk with a doctor in person about their individual needs and goals, and all the potential risks and side effects with any weight loss option.

"Come to a doctor who understands how to use that medication effectively," said Bellanger.

Both Bellanger and Bourgeois say another misconception is that Ozempic and similar drugs make oral birth control less effective.

Bellanger says there is a package warning about potential drug interactions, but says the impact is "not substantial" as long as the birth control is taken consistently and as directed. Bourgeois suggested that patients who are extremely concerned about the impact on oral birth control consider using a different contraception option.

"We want to make sure to tell patients always that you have to be on some form of birth control or contraception, and you really have to be off those medications for a period of two months before trying to get pregnant," said Bellanger.

As with any medical issue, the doctors both urge patients not to rely on social media for information and talk to their physicians first about any concerns.

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