If you’re taking GLP-1 medications for weight loss, you may wonder how they could affect your fertility. If you have polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), losing weight may help balance your hormones, which can improve ovulation. This can increase your chance of getting pregnant.
“We're starting to see a lot more people, including younger people, on these medications. And we're starting to see a whole host of new things from these medications, including potential help with infertility in a select group,” said Kathleen Curley, MD, an OBGYN with Banner - University Medicine.
But GLP-1 medications are not safe to use during pregnancy. You should use reliable birth control while you’re taking them and stop using them before you try to conceive.
What are GLP-1 medications and how do they work?
Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (GLP-1s) are medications used to treat type 2 diabetes and promote weight loss. Some common types are semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound).
A GLP-1 medication acts like the GLP-1 hormone, which is made in your small intestine. This hormone:
- Tells your pancreas to release insulin
- Helps keep too much sugar from entering your bloodstream
- Slows your digestion
- Makes you feel full after you eat
So when you take a GLP-1 medication, it’s effects on:
- Insulin and blood sugar can help control diabetes
- Digestion and your appetite can help with weight loss
The connection between weight, hormones and fertility
A lot of people who struggle with being overweight or who have obesity may also have PMOS. With PMOS, hormonal imbalances may cause ovulation disruption, meaning your ovary may not always release an egg every month.
Your menstrual periods become irregular. You may not get your period every month. Or your period may last for a long time. You could face infertility.
Weight and PMOS may be linked because fat cells release hormones that may interfere with the natural hormones your brain makes to control your ovaries.
Experts have known for a long time that weight loss can help people with PMOS get their periods back on track and become pregnant. That could be because when you lose weight, the hormones your brain makes are more likely to work properly.
How GLP-1-related weight loss may improve fertility
It’s hard to lose weight but GLP-1 medications can help make weight loss more accessible. Weight loss can help manage hormones, so ovulation and menstrual cycles may become more regular.
“We're starting to see some people come in who have struggled with infertility for years. They give up on trying to have a baby and put themselves and their health first. They lose some weight and then they get pregnant,” Dr. Curley said.
It’s important to remember that GLP-1s are not a treatment for infertility. They can be a treatment for weight loss and overcoming infertility may be a secondary effect.
Important safety considerations before trying to conceive
You should not take GLP-1 medications during pregnancy. That means, even if you’ve been trying to get pregnant for years, you need to use reliable birth control when you’re taking GLP-1s.
When you stop taking GLP-1s, you should wait at least two months before you try to conceive. That gives your body time to fully clear the medication.
Who might benefit from this approach?
You may want to consider a GLP-1 for weight loss if:
- You’ve been diagnosed with PMOS
- You’re overweight or have obesity and your menstrual cycles are irregular
- You’re struggling with infertility that’s related to hormone imbalances
Results vary and not all people who lose weight with GLP-1s see improvements in their PMOS symptoms or fertility.
When to talk to a doctor about fertility and weight loss
It’s a good idea to talk to a health care provider if:
- You’ve been trying to conceive for 6 to 12 months without success
- You have irregular periods or you don’t get your period
- You’ve been diagnosed with PMOS and you would like to lose weight
- You’re taking a GLP-1 medication and you have questions about stopping safely
The bottom line on GLP-1s and fertility
Because GLP-1 medications support weight loss and hormone balance, they may improve fertility for some women, especially those with PMOS. But GLP-1s are not safe during pregnancy, so timing and following your health care provider’s guidance are key when you’re planning to conceive.
If you’re thinking about pregnancy or struggling with infertility, a Banner Health specialist can help you understand your options and create a plan to help you reach your goals.
FAQs about GLP-1 medications and fertility
Can GLP-1 medications help you get pregnant?
They are not fertility treatments but weight loss may improve ovulation in some women.
Can you take GLP-1 medications while pregnant?
No. These medications are not recommended during pregnancy.
How long should you stop GLP-1 medications before trying to conceive?
Most experts recommend stopping at least two months before trying to get pregnant.
Do GLP-1 medications cure PMOS?
No but weight loss may help improve symptoms and hormone balance.
