Weight Loss Drug Sparks Unexpected Pregnancies

A surprising trend has emerged where women taking popular weight loss drugs are experiencing unexpected pregnancies. Lindsay Feldman, 39, a mother of two from Las Vegas, discovered she was nearly 12 weeks pregnant after losing 25lbs on tirzepatide, a drug containing the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound. This occurred despite her previous fertility struggles and even while taking birth control.

Feldman's experience is not isolated. Nurse practitioners report a significant increase in pregnancies among patients using GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro. Some women are now intentionally seeking these drugs solely for fertility purposes, with a quarter of prescriptions at one med spa being for this reason.

While the FDA has not approved these drugs for fertility, medical professionals speculate that weight loss achieved through these medications can reduce inflammation and enhance the menstrual cycle, potentially aiding conception. Some side effects, like vomiting, could also impact contraceptive pill efficacy, contributing to accidental pregnancies.

Doctors advise patients to stop taking weight loss drugs upon discovering pregnancy, though there is no strong evidence they harm the baby. However, animal trials in the UK have raised concerns about potential abnormalities if medication is taken throughout pregnancy. Official data on the pregnancy uptick is still pending, but anecdotal evidence suggests a notable rise.