Ozempic, Wegovy & Fertility: What GLP-1 Medications Mean for Conception
Medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy® have become household names. Originally developed to help manage diabetes and obesity, these medications are now used by millions of people across the United States. As their popularity continues to grow, fertility specialists are receiving more questions from patients trying to conceive while taking a GLP-1 medication.
While GLP-1 medications are not fertility treatments, emerging research suggests they may influence reproductive health indirectly by improving metabolic health, reducing insulin resistance, and supporting weight loss in some patients.
For people trying to build their families, understanding the connection between GLP-1 medications and fertility is becoming increasingly important.
What Are GLP-1 Medications?
Ozempic® and Wegovy® are both forms of semaglutide, a medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Other medications in this category include Saxenda®, Victoza®, Mounjaro®, and Zepbound®.
These medications help regulate blood sugar levels, slow stomach emptying, and increase feelings of fullness after eating. As a result, many patients experience meaningful weight loss and improvements in metabolic health.
Because obesity, insulin resistance, and hormonal imbalances can all affect fertility, researchers have increasingly explored whether GLP-1 medications may have implications for conception and reproductive health.
How Weight and Metabolic Health Affect Fertility
Weight is only one factor that influences fertility, but it can contribute to reproductive challenges for some patients.
Excess weight is associated with conditions such as insulin resistance, irregular ovulation, and Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). These conditions may make conception more difficult.
In addition, obesity may be associated with hormonal imbalances, disrupted menstrual cycles, and ovulatory dysfunction. In men, excess weight can affect testosterone production and sperm health.
Improving metabolic health can sometimes lead to more regular menstrual cycles, improved hormone balance, and better reproductive function. However, fertility depends on many factors, including age, ovarian reserve, sperm quality, reproductive anatomy, genetics, and overall health.
For patients whose fertility is affected by metabolic conditions, improving overall health may help support reproductive goals.
Can Ozempic and Wegovy Improve Fertility?
One of the most common misconceptions is that Ozempic and Wegovy are fertility medications. They are not.
However, some patients may experience improvements in fertility-related factors while taking these medications. Researchers believe the potential benefits are primarily related to improvements in metabolic health rather than a direct effect on reproductive organs.
It is important to remember that fertility depends on many factors. While GLP-1 medications may help address one contributing factor, they are not a substitute for a comprehensive fertility evaluation.
What New Research Is Revealing
Interest in GLP-1 medications and fertility continues to grow, particularly following research presented at ENDO 2026.
A systematic review presented at the meeting evaluated available randomized clinical trials examining GLP-1 receptor agonists and male reproductive health. The review found no evidence that GLP-1 medications negatively affected reproductive hormones, sperm quality, or sexual function. Researchers also reported improvements in certain reproductive health markers among men with obesity-related metabolic conditions.
The analysis included studies of medications such as semaglutide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide. Some studies demonstrated improvements in testosterone levels, sperm morphology, and other fertility-related measures while preserving normal reproductive hormone function.
These findings are encouraging, particularly because obesity itself is associated with impaired reproductive function. At the same time, researchers emphasized that the number of available studies remains limited and that larger trials are needed to better understand the relationship between GLP-1 medications and fertility.
The current evidence suggests that GLP-1 medications should not be viewed as fertility treatments, but the data are providing reassurance that these medications do not appear to negatively affect reproductive health in the populations studied.
What If You're Trying to Conceive?
If you are actively trying to conceive, it is important to discuss any GLP-1 medication with your healthcare providers.
Because these medications are generally not recommended during pregnancy, fertility planning often involves conversations about treatment goals, timing, and overall health. The best approach depends on a patient's medical history, reproductive goals, and fertility treatment plans.
For some patients, improving metabolic health before pregnancy may be a consideration. For others, immediate fertility evaluation or treatment may be more appropriate.
An individualized approach is important because every fertility journey is unique.
GLP-1 Medications and IVF
Patients considering IVF often have questions about whether Ozempic, Wegovy, or another GLP-1 medication should be continued during treatment.
The answer varies depending on a number of factors, including age, ovarian reserve, PMOS diagnosis, medical history, treatment timeline, and overall health.
Some patients may benefit from improving metabolic health before fertility treatment. Others may be advised to discontinue medication before specific stages of IVF or prior to attempting pregnancy.
Because fertility treatment plans are highly individualized, discussions about medication use should be part of a comprehensive consultation with a fertility specialist.
What About Male Fertility?
Male fertility contributes to a significant proportion of infertility cases, making reproductive health an important consideration for both partners.
Recent research has provided reassuring information regarding GLP-1 medications and male fertility. Findings presented at ENDO 2026 found no evidence that GLP-1 medications negatively affect reproductive hormones, sexual function, or sperm quality. Some studies even demonstrated improvements in testosterone levels and sperm parameters among men with obesity-related metabolic conditions.
Researchers believe these findings are likely related to improvements in metabolic health, weight management, and hormone regulation. However, additional research is needed to better understand the long-term effects and potential reproductive benefits of these medications.
When to Speak with a Fertility Specialist
If you are currently taking Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, or another GLP-1 medication and are planning to start or grow your family, speaking with a fertility specialist may help clarify your options.
A fertility evaluation can help identify factors that may affect conception, assess reproductive health, and determine whether additional testing or treatment may be appropriate.
Pacific Fertility Center provides individualized fertility care tailored to each patient's medical history, reproductive goals, and treatment needs. Whether you are trying to conceive naturally, exploring IVF, managing PMOS, evaluating male fertility factors, or considering fertility preservation, a personalized treatment plan can help guide next steps.
The Bottom Line
GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy are changing the conversation around weight management and metabolic health. As research continues to evolve, fertility specialists are gaining a better understanding of how these medications may influence reproductive health.
While GLP-1 medications are not fertility treatments, they may help address underlying factors that can affect fertility, particularly for patients with obesity, insulin resistance, or PMOS. Emerging research has also provided reassuring evidence that these medications do not appear to negatively affect male fertility and may improve certain reproductive health markers in some patients.
If you are taking a GLP-1 medication and considering pregnancy, an individualized conversation with your healthcare team is an important next step. Decisions about fertility treatment, medication management, and pregnancy planning should be based on your unique medical history, reproductive goals, and overall health.
To learn more about your fertility options, schedule a consultation with Pacific Fertility Center and discuss a personalized plan for building your family.
Sources
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Natesh P, Muhammad J, Abedi H, et al. Effect of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists on the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis in Males. Presented at ENDO 2026, Endocrine Society Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL; June 2026. [endo2026.e...ocrine.org]
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Endocrine Society. Clinical Trials Suggest GLP-1s May Improve Fertility in Men with Obesity. Presented at ENDO 2026. Published June 13, 2026. [endocrine.org]
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Welcome to the Pacific Fertility Center Blog! Nationally and internationally recognized for providing exceptional reproductive care, our team believes in empowering people with the knowledge they need to navigate their unique fertility journeys.
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