Fact Checked
Last updated on Oct 02, 2024.
There is limited research on how Wegovy might affect a human baby. In animal studies, though, early exposure to Wegovy did cause birth defects. So it’s important to use contraception while taking Wegovy—specifically a barrier method such as a condom, as Wegovy might make oral contraceptives less effective.
Once you reach a healthy BMI and your doctor gives you the green light to start trying for a baby, wait two months before attempting to conceive. This is recommended because it can take seven weeks for Wegovy to completely leave your body. By allowing a two-month gap, you can ensure that your baby will be safe from any potential effects of the medication.
If you accidentally get pregnant whilst on Wegovy, stop using it immediately and contact your doctor.
For the most part, you’ll use Wegovy as instructed, which means weekly injections. For better results, you’ll be advised to follow a calorie-deficit diet and engage in physical activity for 150 minutes or more a week.
Once you reach a healthy weight and your clinician gives you the go-ahead, stop taking Wegovy and wait two months before trying to conceive. During this time (and throughout your pregnancy), your doctor may suggest alternative strategies to maintain a healthy weight. This should include a healthy diet and exercise regime, or maybe other medications considered safe during pregnancy.
Wegovy doesn’t directly affect your fertility. But its ability to support weight loss and regulate blood sugar levels can improve your chances of conceiving. Certain conditions decrease fertility, for example:
When your blood sugar levels are poorly controlled you can get irregular and infrequent periods, which can reduce fertility and make it difficult to predict your ovulation window. Women with poorly controlled diabetes also have a higher risk of miscarriage in the first trimester.
All three of these conditions are interconnected and interrelated. If you have obesity, you’re more likely to develop PCOS and diabetes. Likewise, if you have diabetes, you’re also more likely to develop PCOS.
Losing weight is one of the best ways to treat these conditions. But often it’s much easier said than done, especially if your body is predisposed to gain weight. PCOS and diabetes both make it hard to lose weight because of hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance.
But these changes don’t happen overnight, using Wegovy can make the process of losing weight easier and more sustainable long term, which may improve fertility over the long-run. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, can increase your chances of conceiving in two main ways.
Wegovy works by suppressing your appetite and making your stomach empty more slowly, so you feel fuller for longer. This can be effective for weight loss, with studies showing patients losing more than 5% of their body weight within three months of using Wegovy.
Managing your weight may increase your chances of conception as your hormones start to rebalance. This could help regulate your menstrual cycle and lower your risk of miscarriage. Additionally, it should decrease your risk of developing conditions like cardiovascular illnesses, which could potentially affect you during pregnancy. But you shouldn’t take Wegovy during pregnancy as this could negatively affect your baby and health.
Semaglutide was originally developed as a diabetes medication. It mimics the GLP-1 hormone in your body that enhances insulin secretion and inhibits glucagon secretion. This has the effect of improving your blood sugar levels and metabolism. Improved insulin sensitivity can support better ovarian function too, but it’s not a guaranteed outcome for everyone.
Insulin resistance is common in people with PCOS or diabetes. It’s mainly caused by inflammation of adipose (fat) tissues. Wegovy can suppress inflammation, enhancing insulin sensitivity. This effect was shown in a study where PCOS patients had improved insulin sensitivity using Wegovy compared to the placebo group.
Infertility is usually caused by a range of factors. Wegovy isn’t a fertility treatment and there’s no direct evidence that using Wegovy alone increases fertility. In fact, it’s recommended to stop using Wegovy two months before trying to conceive. But improving your overall health—which Wegovy can help with—can often increase fertility.
To further support your fertility, here are some things you can do:
It’s best to discuss any changes you might want to make with a fertility expert.
It’s usually recommended to have sex as often as possible when trying for a baby, generally every 2-3 days. However, if you’re using Wegovy, you shouldn’t have sex without any protection.
Wegovy is a prescription weight loss medication and isn’t aimed at improving your chances of conceiving. Instead, the health improvements from using it contribute to better reproductive outcomes.
If you’re struggling to conceive and think Wegovy can help, speak to our clinicians and they’ll recommend the best treatment for you.
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
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The potential role of incretin-based therapies for polycystic ovary syndrome: A narrative review of the current evidence. Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Semaglutide Treatment of Excessive Body Weight in Obese PCOS Patients Unresponsive to Lifestyle Programs. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(18), 5921.
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