Tag: Mounjaro

As GLP-1 medications have skyrocketed in popularity over recent years, they have sparked a lot of conversation, and a fair amount of confusion. If you have been scrolling through social media lately, you have probably come across the phrase “Ozempic Babies,” leaving many wondering what these weight loss “jabs” actually do to reproductive health and fertility. Whether you are taking a GLP-1 medication for diabetes management, weight loss, or metabolic health, and you’re thinking about trying to conceive, here is everything you need to know to navigate your journey safely. Quick Facts: What Exactly Are GLP-1 Medications? Some Quick Clarification: Originally developed by pharmaceutical companies to manage type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance, their highly effective weight-management properties mean they are now widely used to manage and treat obesity [2]. Obesity is a major global health crisis, with approximately 30% UK adults living with obesity, serving as a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions [3]. Because GLP-1 RAs have been revolutionary for metabolic health, clinicians are also exploring their benefits for managing the metabolic features of Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome or PMOS, formerly Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) [4]. This is because a lot of the symptoms and indications of PMOS are treated by the effects of GLP-1 RAs as they are highly effective for managing the condition’s metabolic features such as improving insulin sensitivity, suppressing appetite, and promoting weight loss [5]. If you think you might have PMOS, read our blog on How PMOS is Diagnosed for more information. Note: In the UK, GLP-1 RA medications are licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity management [6]. While GLP-1 RAs are commonly referred to by their brand names such as Ozempic, Mounjaro or even colloquially called “the jabs”, here’s a look at the most common GLP-1 RA medications currently available: New in 2026: The GLP-1 Pill Until recently, every GLP-1 licensed for weight loss in the UK was a weekly injection. In June 2026, the MHRA approved an oral semaglutide tablet (the “Wegovy pill”) as the first GLP-1 tablet for weight management in the UK, and the first in Europe [7]. It is currently available on private prescription, with NHS availability still under NICE review. A quick point of clarification, because the names get confusing: oral semaglutide already existed in the UK as Rybelsus, but Rybelsus is only licensed for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss. The new, higher-dose tablet is the one licensed for weight management. Unlike the injection, it has to be taken first thing on an empty stomach after fasting overnight, with only a sip of water, and you then wait around 30 minutes before eating or drinking, otherwise your body won’t absorb it properly. A second oral option, orforglipron (Foundayo), is expected to follow. It has been approved in the US and is currently under MHRA review, but it is not yet licensed or available in the UK. Does the pill form change any of the fertility advice? No. The oral tablet contains the same drug as injectable semaglutide, so exactly the same rules apply: it is not recommended in pregnancy, while trying to conceive, or when breastfeeding, and the same wash-out period stands. If anything, the arrival of these tablets is a good prompt to double-check your contraception, the documented interaction with the contraceptive pill is specific to tirzepatide (Mounjaro), not semaglutide, but any GLP-1 that causes vomiting or diarrhoea can affect how well an oral pill is absorbed. The Truth Behind “Ozempic Babies” You might have heard of the term “Ozempic Babies” in the press, which refers to women unexpectedly or spontaneously conceiving while taking GLP-1 medications. It is incredibly important to clarify GLP-1 RAs are metabolic therapies, not fertility treatments. So, why is this happening? There are two primary biological reasons behind it. Obesity and insulin resistance heavily impact the reproductive system. Excess adipose (fat) tissue produces extra oestrogen and drives insulin resistance, which can prevent regular ovulation from occurring [8]. This can cause irregular cycles, heavy, or absent periods. Because of these irregular cycles, many women might assume they cannot get pregnant and not use contraception. When someone starts a GLP-1 RA, the resulting weight loss and metabolic improvement have an indirect, positive effect on their reproductive hormones. Suddenly, cycles and ovulation become more regular, and pregnancy can occur spontaneously. GLP-1 medications slow down gastric emptying (how fast your stomach empties food), and this can affect how some oral medications are absorbed. Importantly, the evidence here is drug-specific rather than a blanket effect across the whole class. The clearest interaction is with tirzepatide (Mounjaro). Studies have shown it can reduce the amount of contraceptive hormone your body absorbs, so it is recommended to use a barrier method (such as condoms) or switch to a non-oral method for 4 weeks after starting tirzepatide, and for 4 weeks after each dose increase [9]. For semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus), a meaningful reduction in oral contraceptive effectiveness has not been demonstrated. That said, if any GLP-1 medication causes vomiting or diarrhoea, an oral pill may not be fully absorbed, so it is always sensible to use backup contraception if you are unwell. GLP-1 Medications Are Not Recommended in Pregnancy While these medications can indirectly boost fertility by improving metabolic health, GLP-1 medications are strictly not recommended during pregnancy, while actively trying to conceive, or during breastfeeding. Because these medications are relatively new, we do not yet have enough long-term safety data to know their impact on foetal development or future outcomes. The human data available so far have not shown a clear increase in birth defects, but there simply isn’t enough of it to confirm these medications are safe in pregnancy, which is exactly why a precautionary approach is taken [10]. If you are planning a pregnancy, you must observe a strict “wash-out period” to allow the medication to completely leave your system before you start trying to conceive [6]. If pregnancy does occur while taking a GLP-1 RA, […]