Ozempic and Fertility: "Ozempic Babies," Safety, and More

Currently, there’s no reason to believe Ozempic^® causes infertility. In fact, the medication could potentially improve fertility since it helps manage type 2 diabetes and treat obesity, both of which are linked to fertility issues.

Ozempic may also regularize your menstrual cycle if you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), possibly making it easier to get pregnant. But more research is needed.

We’ll dive into Ozempic and fertility, including how the medication can affect your menstrual cycle, whether it messes with birth control, and what the fuss over “Ozempic babies“ is all about.

There are no studies showing that Ozempic can negatively impact fertility. And the prescribing information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t mention it.

Taking this medication may actually improve fertility because it can help treat conditions linked to fertility issues.

Specifically, one 2019 research review suggests that GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) like semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) might help with things like:

• Hormonal imbalance

• Menstrual cycles

• Fertility

• Inflammation and other problems in the ovaries and uterus

These medications may be particularly beneficial for people with PCOS or obesity.

Here’s what we know so far, in greater detail.

Obesity and Weight Loss

Research has linked obesity with infertility. Weight loss can improve fertility problems for people with obesity.

For example, several studies suggest that women with excess weight or obesity take longer to conceive on average and have a higher miscarriage rate than those in a “normal“ or “healthy“ weight range.

Women with obesity are also twice as likely to have irregular menstrual cycles compared to women without obesity.

It’s possible that losing weight on Ozempic may help your periods become more regular and improve your fertility in the long run.

While Ozempic is FDA-approved for managing type 2 diabetes, it’s often prescribed off-label for weight loss. Semaglutide is also sold under the brand name Wegovy^®, which comes at a higher dose than Ozempic and is FDA-approved for weight management in those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more or 27 or more with a weight-related health condition (like hypertension and sleep apnea).

One clinical trial on Wegovy^® found that participants lost up to 20 percent of their body weight after a 68-week treatment course.

How Weight Loss Affects the Menstrual Cycle

It’s also worth noting that losing a significant amount of weight can interfere with your menstrual cycle.

One survey involving self-reported questionnaires found that weight changes, including weight loss, are associated with irregular menstrual cycles among women with obesity and abdominal obesity (excess weight around the center of the body).

Additional research shows that significant weight loss can lead to temporary amenorrhea, when periods stop altogether.

So, on the flip side, some people may find that losing weight on Ozempic causes their periods to become irregular or stop, which can make it harder to get pregnant. This might not happen for everyone, though, and it’s unclear how long periods tend to remain irregular with this medication.

Learn more about how Ozempic may affect your period in our guide.

Ozempic and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a condition in which the ovaries and adrenal glands produce more male hormones than normal and cysts develop on the ovaries.

PCOS can cause:

• Irregular periods

• Infertility

• Weight gain

Ozempic may improve fertility if you have PCOS. In a 2023 study, 27 women with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome took a weekly 0.5-milligram semaglutide injection for three months.

At the end of the experiment, almost 80 percent of the participants lost at least five percent of their body weight, and 80 percent of those women experienced normalized menstrual cycle lengths.

Regular menstrual cycles can make it a bit easier to predict ovulation, but everyone’s body is different — and many people with irregular cycles still get pregnant.

Type 2 Diabetes, Ozempic, and Fertility

Just like obesity, type 2 diabetes is associated with fertility challenges.

Research shows that type 2 diabetes may affect fertility, change the length of your menstrual cycle, and even influence when you start menopause. These effects might be related to the link between type 2 diabetes and PCOS, though the connection isn’t fully understood.

Breaking it down: Insulin resistance can lead to having too much insulin in the blood. This can result in hormonal changes and trigger the body to produce an excess of male hormones, which could prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg.

Semaglutide can help manage diabetes. It’s unclear whether this improves fertility — though, in theory, it could. 

The colloquial terms “Ozempic babies“ and “Ozempic fertility“ have been doing the rounds on social media. “Ozempic babies“ refers to the surprise pregnancies women are reporting on Ozempic despite having a history of fertility troubles.

Does Ozempic increase fertility, then? We can’t say for sure. But we also can’t rule out that these surprise pregnancies might be related to how weight loss can influence reproductive hormones and ovulation. There’s also some concern that Ozempic could interfere with how well birth control pills work (we’ll dig into why in a bit).

It’s not just Ozempic being associated with “Ozempic babies,“ either. Women taking other GLP-1s have reported unexpected pregnancies, too.

Besides semaglutide (Wegovy^® and Ozempic), other GLP-1 weight loss medications include liraglutide (Victoza^® and Saxenda^®) and dulaglutide (Trulicity^®).

So, while there aren’t any clinical studies on Ozempic improving fertility — and it isn’t a fertility treatment — some women are anecdotally reporting better fertility as a side effect of taking the medication.

If you’re trying to get pregnant or think you may be facing fertility issues, consider talking to a fertility specialist, such as a reproductive endocrinologist, for personalized advice.

It’s unclear if Ozempic affects hormonal birth control. There aren’t any studies on this, and the prescribing information the FDA gives doesn’t mention it.

However, Ozempic slows down how quickly your stomach empties — meaning it can delay food (and medication) moving through the digestive system. This might affect how the body absorbs oral medications, including birth control pills.

While we don’t have specific data on oral contraceptives and Ozempic, newer research does suggest that delayed gastric emptying from GLP-1 receptor agonists can affect medication metabolism.

Specifically, a 2025 study found that people on GLP-1s may need longer fasting periods before procedures or even medications that help speed up digestion. This may be a sign that drugs (including birth control) could possibly be affected if they linger in the stomach too long.

Plus, the prescribing info for similar medications like tirzepatide (Mounjaro^® and Zepbound^®) — which act on both the GLP-1 and GIP (gastric inhibitory polypeptide) hormones — includes a warning that they may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.

Ozempic works a bit differently, and the link between semaglutide and fertility isn’t totally clear. But it’s not a huge leap to wonder if it could have a similar effect.

What does this mean for you? Tell your prescribing healthcare provider or OB/GYN if you take oral contraceptives. They may recommend a different or backup method of contraception, like condoms or an IUD (intrauterine device) while taking Ozempic, just to be extra safe.

There isn’t enough research yet to know for sure if Ozempic is safe to take during pregnancy. Because of that, it’s generally recommended to stop taking it two months or more before trying to conceive.

If you’re taking Ozempic for any reason — whether to manage type 2 diabetes or support weight loss — your healthcare provider can help you decide what’s best for your body and your needs.

For some, that might mean stopping Ozempic before trying to get pregnant or during pregnancy. For others with type 2 diabetes, the benefits of staying on it may outweigh the potential risks. In those cases, your provider might suggest continuing Ozempic or switching to an alternative medication to help manage blood sugar levels (glucose), like metformin.

The most important thing is to talk with your healthcare provider if you’re thinking about getting pregnant. They’ll help you make a plan that supports both your health and your future pregnancy if and when the time is right.

Our guide to Ozempic and pregnancy goes into more detail.

If you find out you’re pregnant while taking Ozempic (whether you’re in early pregnancy or a later trimester), let your healthcare provider know as soon as you can. They’ll review your individual situation and guide you on the best next steps, which might include stopping the medication, staying on it, or switching to a different medication.

Your medical provider is there to support you and help you make the best decisions for your health and pregnancy. 

If you have questions or concerns about how Ozempic might affect your fertility, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider. They can help you understand what this means for your individual situation and guide you with personalized advice.

Here are some final FAQs and answers about Ozempic and fertility:

• Does Ozempic cause infertility? There’s not enough research yet to say for sure, but so far, it doesn’t look like Ozempic can cause infertility.

• Does semaglutide affect fertility? Semaglutide may actually improve fertility. It can treat obesity and help manage type 2 diabetes, which are linked to fertility problems. Research also suggests it can help regulate menstrual cycles for people with PCOS. It can be especially helpful when combined with healthy lifestyle changes, like exercising more and eating a nutritious diet.

• Can you get pregnant on Ozempic? Yes. It’s possible to get pregnant on Ozempic. If you do become pregnant, let your provider know as soon as possible. If you’re using Ozempic for weight loss, you’ll likely be advised to stop it during pregnancy, but situations can vary.

If you’re planning to try to conceive within the next couple of months, your provider will likely recommend stopping Ozempic. But if starting a family is further down the road, Ozempic might be helpful to reach a healthier weight beforehand.

Beyond Ozempic, there are other weight loss drugs to consider, like Wegovy^®.

Take our free online weight loss assessment to find out if you’re eligible for weight loss medication and get help finding the best treatment for you.

Ozempic^® and Wegovy^® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Hims, Inc. is not affiliated with or endorsed by Novo Nordisk A/S.