© Nataliya Vaitkevich
May 24, 2026
Christine Bürg & Marianne Waldenfels
Can Ozempic increase fertility? Prof. Uwe Nixdorff explains why women on semaglutide may become pregnant more easily — especially those with PCOS
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Prof. Dr. Uwe Nixdorff
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More and more women are reporting unplanned pregnancies while taking Ozempic. On social media, there is already talk of "Ozempic babies." Many affected women had previously struggled for years with cycle issues, overweight, or unfulfilled desire for children. But can the weight loss injection actually increase fertility?
In fact, doctors have been observing for some time a link between significant weight loss due to medications like Ozempic and Wegovy and improved fertility in women.
Prof. Dr. med. Uwe Nixdorff, internist and cardiologist, as well as managing director of the European Prevention Center in Düsseldorf, explains: "It is indeed the case that women can become pregnant more easily under therapy with semaglutide. This is primarily because overweight is often associated with hormonal disorders – for instance, in the so-called polycystic ovary syndrome, which can impair fertility."
And further: "When weight normalizes and metabolism improves, it has an overall positive effect on fertility. So it is less a direct medication effect and more a consequence of the improved physical condition."
This quote sums up the medical situation well: Semaglutide does not directly make one fertile, but it can indirectly improve the conditions for pregnancy.
Being overweight can significantly disrupt hormonal balance. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are particularly often affected. This leads to conditions such as:
When women suffer from a Semaglutide therapy Lose weight, this cycle can partially normalize again. The cycle becomes more stable, ovulation is more likely to return, and thus the chance of pregnancy increases.
Semaglutide (GLP-1 receptor agonist) leads to significant weight loss and better Blood sugar control. This can stabilize the hormonal balance in women, improve insulin resistance, normalize the cycle, and ovulation can resume.
Even a moderate weight loss of 5 to 10 percent can significantly increase the likelihood of pregnancy, as emphasized by the German Diabetes Society (DDG).
Yes. Both Ozempic and Wegovy contain the active ingredient semaglutide and belong to the group of so-called GLP-1 receptor agonists. Therefore, the described effects on weight, metabolism, and fertility generally apply to both medications.
Even with Wegovy, strong weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity can normalize the cycle and increase the likelihood of ovulation. Experts therefore assume that the increasing reports of unplanned pregnancies not only affect Ozempic.
It is important: Ozempic does not directly negate the effect of the pill. Nevertheless, women should not assume that everything remains unchanged during therapy. If the cycle normalizes, the probability of pregnancy can increase again.
In addition, severe gastrointestinal complaints such as vomiting or diarrhea can impair the safe absorption of hormonal contraceptives. Therefore, anyone who does not want to become pregnant while on semaglutide should ensure reliable contraception and seek medical advice if complaints persist.
Reports of so-called 'Ozempic babies' are not just internet hype. Doctors are indeed observing that under significant weight loss and improved metabolic conditions, the fertility of many women can change. This is why good medical supervision during therapy is particularly important.
Those who want to avoid pregnancy should be aware of this potential change and use reliable contraception. Women wishing to conceive should have the therapy closely supervised by a doctor and seek preconception counseling.
Yes, indirectly. Mainly through weight loss and an improvement in metabolism, fertility can increase, especially in cases of obesity and PCOS.
Semaglutide does not directly trigger ovulation. In women with cycle disorders or PCOS, ovulation may normalize again with weight reduction and improved insulin sensitivity.
Being overweight can disrupt hormones and ovulation. If weight decreases, the overall hormonal balance often improves, insulin resistance decreases, and ovulation rates increase.
No. The improved fertility is considered an indirect result of physical changes, not a direct effect of the medication.
No. Semaglutide should not be used during pregnancy.
The prescribing information recommends discontinuing semaglutide at least two months before a planned pregnancy.
