Despite being on birth control or having dealt with fertility issues in the past, many women who are taking the popular weight loss drugs Ozempic and Mounjaro, among others, are experiencing surprise pregnancies. Doctors think that they know why “Ozempic/Mounjaro babies” are on the rise.
“I got pregnant on Ozempic & was on the pill! Baby boy is due in June,” one person commented on a TikTok about her unexpected pregnancy.
Another wrote, “My surprise Ozempic baby is almost 4 months old and thankfully very healthy!”
Reproductive and obesity medical specialists told USA Today, in a recent interview, that they have observed this pattern of surprise pregnancies in their clinics. They believe that this trend is likely due to two main factors: weight loss correcting hormonal imbalances linked to obesity and metabolic disorders, thereby enhancing fertility; and certain medications potentially decreasing the effectiveness of birth control pills.
Both, of these factors are leading to increasing pregnancy rates.
“It’s true that, from a scientific perspective, these medications may make it easier for people to get pregnant,” Dr. Allison Rodgers, an OB-GYN and reproductive endocrinologist at Fertility Centers of Illinois told the outlet. “But people need to be careful because there could be dangerous consequences if taken while pregnant given the drugs can linger in your system.”
Dr. Utsavi Shah, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology specializing in obesity medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston advises her patients that, if they are on these types of medications, in addition to birth control pills, they should also use backup options such as condemns.
Yet, Dr. Shah also states in her USA Today interview that although “Ozempic/Mounjaro baby” numbers are on the rise, there really isn’t a need for people to panic and these numbers are not as extreme as people may think.
“I know that there are stories out there that get escalated in the media, but if you’re using effective birth control and on these weight loss medications, the risk of unintended pregnancy is quite low,” Shah said.
The key point here is, if you suspect you might be pregnant while using a weight loss medication, discontinue use right away, as advised by Dr. Rodgers, and then consult your physician for further guidance.
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