Catera Bentley had been trying unsuccessfully to conceive for over two years

 

Catera Bentley and her husband had been trying to conceive for over two years, but her PCOS diagnosis made it challenging. After starting Mounjaro for weight loss, she became pregnant, which was a surprise. This phenomenon has been dubbed "Ozempic babies" on social media, with numerous women sharing similar stories.

Experts attribute this to the drug's ability to improve fertility, particularly in women with PCOS. Weight loss can restore normal ovulation, and GLP-1 drugs like Mounjaro and Ozempic have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and weight loss. However, there are concerns about the drug's safety during pregnancy, as it may affect nutrient transfer from mother to fetus.

Dr. Daniel Drucker notes that animal studies have shown high doses of GLP-1 drugs can lead to small birth weight and malformations. While human studies are limited, a registry is collecting data on the safety of Wegovy during pregnancy. Eli Lilly plans to open a pregnancy registry for Zepbound.

GLP-1 drugs are already used off-label for PCOS treatment, as they improve insulin resistance and weight loss. Studies have shown liraglutide (Victoza/Saxenda) effective in reducing body weight and testosterone levels in women with PCOS and obesity. Dr. Melanie Cree is conducting a clinical trial investigating semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) for PCOS treatment in adolescent girls, with promising preliminary findings.

The "Ozempic babies" phenomenon raises questions about the drug's effect on fertility and pregnancy. While the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, weight loss alone can lead to significant improvement of symptoms and resumption of regular ovulation and menstruation. As the use of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss and PCOS treatment grows, more research is needed to understand their effects on fertility and pregnancy outcomes.