‘Ozempic Babies’, Trendy Weight Loss Drug, Causes Unexpected Pregnancy

For example, a woman who had been trying unsuccessfully to have children for two years became pregnant after undergoing a five-month weight-loss treatment that resulted in her losing nearly 45 pounds, CNN reported in May. The 25-year-old woman also had irregular menstrual cycles due to ovarian cysts, and the therapy also regulated her periods.

This side effect of unexpected pregnancy, known as “Ozempic babies”, is analyzed this Thursday in the journal “Nature”. According to experts consulted by the publication, a plausible hypothesis would be that Ozempic belongs to a group of drugs known as “GLP-1 agonists”, whose effects increase fertility in addition to creating a feeling of satiety after eating.

According to a 2015 study by the University of Vigo, now cited by experts, this family of drugs (GLP-1) stimulates the production of a hormone that triggers ovulation. In a study on rats, whose menstrual cycle is similar to that of humans, those who received this type of drug “had more offspring.”

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This would not be an effect of Ozempic alone. Additionally, Vegovi’s semaglutide, marketed by pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, and Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) will also “restore regular ovulation in some women” who are “experiencing changes in their menstrual cycle” due to overweight and obesity.

On the other hand, reported cases will negate the effect of the pill rather than other methods, since these drugs delay the absorption of oral contraceptives from the stomach into the intestines and from there into the bloodstream.

In their posts, young mothers-to-be also expressed concern for the well-being of the baby. The drugs have not been studied on fetuses, and pharmaceutical companies recommend stopping the use of these drugs if pregnancy is suspected or if you are planning to have children. There are also images of these families with a newborn on the Internet: no harmful effects are visible.