It is a known fact that many women on weight loss drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide have experienced improved fertility. Some, despite being on birth control, have gotten pregnant.
This isn’t new. A standard treatment for women who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is Metformin. Why? Metformin helps with insulin resistance and can help some patients with weight loss. It would make sense that semaglutide would do the same for women with fertility issues. How do these new medications affect fertility?
- Insulin Resistance: Semaglutide and tirzepatide medications focus on insulin resistance as well.
- Correction of hormonal imbalances caused by obesity or metabolic disorders to improve fertility.
- The medications may interfere with birth control pill efficacy.
However, you can’t stay on these medications when you are pregnant. Most of the drug manufacturers recommend stopping weight loss medications two months or more before a planned pregnancy. When you do it this way, you have time to adjust so you wean off the medications.
What if you find out you’re pregnant? You should stop immediately. Some people find their hunger desires come roaring back. You can have rapid weight gain, blood glucose shifts, and pregnancy may intensify the experiences. The gastric emptying delay seen in these medications may make issues of nausea and emesis worse during pregnancy.
There are not many published studies on this yet.
How Can Biohackr Health Help?
- We try to keep you on the lowest dose effective for your weight loss. Lower dose = better exit from weight loss medications.
- We offer other medications and treatments to support your weight loss journey, which can keep the dosage of semaglutide and tirzepatide lower and help you transition off the medications. Medications like NAD/NMN, berberine, and a probiotic to help with digestion and bowel habits are offered with our program for those who desire.*
*Note: NMN and berberine have not been evaluated in pregnant women, so should not be continued during pregnancy. The probiotic would be safe to continue.
