Written by the Progyny Editorial Team. Reviewed by the Progyny Clinical Team — February 2026.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) are a type of medicine first developed to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar, although they have become well-known for helping people lose weight.
Recently, there have been reports of pregnancies among people who lost weight while taking these medicines, even when pregnancy wasn’t expected. You might have heard the media report on this using the term “Ozempic babies.” These stories have raised questions, but research in this area is still developing.
Let’s walk through how weight may affect fertility, what’s known about GLP-1s, and some important considerations if you’re taking GLP-1s or discussing them with your healthcare provider.
How is weight linked to fertility?
Weight can affect reproductive health in several ways.
- Having a higher body weight (BMI of 30 or above) has been linked with changes in hormones, irregular periods, and lower egg quality.
- Low body weight can influence fertility by affecting ovulation.
Extra weight can also raise the risk of certain health conditions, like type 2 diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Both of these conditions have been shown to affect the ability to get pregnant.
During pregnancy, being overweight can also raise the risk of pregnancy complications, problems with delivery, and pregnancy loss.
In people producing sperm, some studies suggest that higher BMI or diabetes may lower sperm count and movement, which can affect the ability to fertilize an egg.
GLP-1s and fertility: What does the research say?
It’s important to point out that GLP-1s are not approved for fertility treatment.
There has been research suggesting GLP-1s may support fertility by helping address factors that affect reproductive health. These may include:
- Help with weight management
- Help manage blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes
Some doctors are also using GLP-1s off-label to help manage symptoms of PCOS. There is growing interest in whether GLP-1s may play a role in ovulation, but more research is needed.
It’s good to know that some data has shown that GLP-1s can affect how birth control pills work. This research is still developing. If you take birth control pills and have questions, your doctor can help you review the information and choose what’s right for you.
Caution: Do not take when pregnant
More research is needed on the safety of GLP-1s during pregnancy, but at this time GLP-1s are not recommended during pregnancy.
Talk with your healthcare team about your pregnancy goals. Your doctor may suggest that it’s helpful to delay pregnancy while you try to lose weight and achieve the health benefits of weight loss. You may do this using a healthy eating plan, physical activity, and possibly GLP-1s.
It’s often recommended to stop GLP-1s in the months before pregnancy, but your doctor will tell you what’s recommended for you. If you become pregnant while taking GLP-1s, your doctor will likely stop the medicine and you can talk about steps you can take to have your healthiest pregnancy.
Will I gain the weight back?
Some people may regain weight after they stop taking GLP-1s. Having healthy habits in place can help during the transition off medicine.
Next steps
GLP-1 medications may not be right for everyone. As with any medicine, GLP-1s come with potential risks. A healthcare provider can help assess whether these medicines are right for you based on your health history, current conditions, and overall treatment goals.
Talk with your doctor to understand what’s best for your health and fertility goals. Your Progyny Care Advocate is also available to provide resources and guidance tailored to your needs.
Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.