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(NewsNation) — People taking GLP-1 drugs may find themselves part of an unexpected baby boom, with experts noting the popular weight-loss drugs can affect medications and fertility.
Researchers say it is unclear exactly how GLP-1s interact with birth control pills, but there is some evidence that the drugs, which include Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy, could reduce the effectiveness of the pills.
One possible explanation has to do with how GLP-1 drugs work. The medications work on hormones that control appetite as well as how food moves through the digestive tract.
This can be a problem for any pills that must be taken at the same time, like birth control pills, which could be delayed in reaching the bloodstream, lowering effectiveness.
GLP-1s also slow down the rate at which food passes through the stomach and into the small intestine, where the absorption of nutrients and medications takes place. That could lead to medications being broken down more quickly than they can be absorbed, lowering effectiveness.
Side effects like vomiting and diarrhea can also clear medications, including birth control, from the body before they have a chance to be fully absorbed.
There’s also some evidence that some GLP-1 medications could affect levels of progestin from birth control pills. Researchers noted that there is limited data on that and it’s not entirely clear what effect the medications might have, especially when it comes to progestin-only pills and emergency contraception, something women should be made aware of.
On top of the impacts on birth control, there is also some evidence that GLP-1s can increase fertility in both men and women.
Obesity is known to suppress fertility in both men and women, which means that losing weight can increase fertility. There’s also some evidence that GLP-1s can decrease inflammation, regulate testosterone and encourage ovulation, all of which can lead to improved fertility.
While that may be a desirable effect for some, when combined with the potential impact on birth control, it could lead to unexpected pregnancies for others. Health experts say that anyone taking GLP-1s should discuss contraception with their doctor before starting the medication.
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