What is known about weight-loss medication in combination with a wish to have children?

Weight-loss medication such as GLP-1 medication is not recommended during pregnancy and when actively trying to conceive. The safety of these products for the unborn child has been insufficiently researched, which is why doctors routinely advise stopping before planning a pregnancy. The questions below provide an overview of what is currently known about weight-loss medication and fertility.

Is weight loss medication safe if you want to get pregnant?

Weight-loss medication, and particularly GLP-1 medication, is considered considered unsafe during pregnancy and is also not recommended when actively trying to conceive. Animal studies have provided indications of potential risks to the foetus, and insufficient human research is available to confirm safety. Doctors therefore advise stopping use well before a pregnancy is planned.

This applies to most forms of weight loss medication that are prescribed by a doctor. The lack of sufficient safety data is in itself a reason for caution. When planning a pregnancy, the principle of “if it does no good, it does no harm” does not apply: this is a situation where the risk to a third party, the unborn child, is central.

People who wish to have children and are also struggling with being overweight would be wise to discuss this with a doctor, so that an appropriate and safe plan can be drawn up.

How long before a pregnancy should you stop taking weight-loss medication?

The standard recommendation is to to stop GLP-1 medication at least two months before planning a pregnancy. This has to do with the half-life of the active substance: it takes a few weeks for the medication to completely leave the body. Some guidelines use a period of eight weeks as a minimum safety margin.

The exact recommendation can vary per substance and per person. Factors such as the dosage used, the duration of use, and individual bodily characteristics play a role. It is therefore important not to decide independently when it is safe to stop, but to do so in consultation with a doctor.

Anyone planning a pregnancy would do well to discuss this in good time so that a tapering plan can be drawn up that fits their personal situation.

What happens if you accidentally fall pregnant while using it?

If someone accidentally becomes pregnant while using weight-loss medication, the advice is to to stop taking the medication immediately and contact a doctor or midwife as soon as possible. Although there is no evidence that incidental exposure in early pregnancy automatically leads to harm, caution is advised.

The doctor or midwife can assess what the situation requires and whether additional monitoring is desirable. In this case, it is not wise to wait independently or to taper off the medication gradually: immediate cessation and professional advice are the appropriate steps.

People who become unexpectedly pregnant while using GLP-1 medication do not need to hide this from their healthcare provider. An open conversation makes it possible to properly assess the situation and guide the pregnancy as safely as possible.

Can weight-loss medication affect fertility?

There is evidence that GLP-1 medication affects fertility may improve indirectly, particularly in people who are overweight or have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Weight loss resulting from the treatment can restore hormonal balance and regulate ovulation, which may increase the chance of pregnancy.

This is an important point to note: people using GLP-1 medication who do not wish to become pregnant must continue to use reliable contraception. The improved fertility as a side effect of weight loss is sometimes underestimated.

Conversely, there is no evidence that GLP-1 medication negatively affects long-term fertility. After stopping the medication, the body generally recovers, although this varies from person to person. Here too, consulting a doctor provides the most reliable information for the individual situation.

What alternatives are there for losing weight when trying to conceive?

For people wanting children who also want lose weight, are lifestyle interventions are the preferred route. Consider dietary changes, more physical activity and guidance from a dietitian or lifestyle coach. This approach is safe during the period of preparation for a pregnancy and can also be continued after childbirth.

Diet and exercise as the foundation

A diet rich in vegetables, fibre and protein, combined with regular exercise, can contribute to weight loss without risks to a future pregnancy. Small, consistent adjustments are more effective in the long term than drastic diets.

Professional guidance

A dietitian or lifestyle coach can draw up a personal plan that takes a desire to have children into account. In the case of overweight or obesity, it is also useful to involve a doctor, who can assess whether there are underlying factors that complicate weight loss, such as a thyroid problem or PCOS.

Weight loss prior to pregnancy also has health benefits: a healthy weight at the start of pregnancy lowers the risk of complications such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure.

When is it advisable to consult a doctor?

It is wise to consult a doctor as soon as the desire to have a child arises and weight-loss medication is being used or is being considered. A doctor can assess when it is safe to stop, what alternatives are available and how best to prepare one's health for pregnancy.

A consultation with a doctor is also recommended in the following situations:

• In cases of overweight or obesity combined with a desire to have children, even without medication use
• In the case of an irregular cycle or suspected PCOS
• If a pregnancy has occurred during the use of weight loss medication
• If there is any ambiguity about when and how to stop medication

A doctor can assess the situation based on individual circumstances and draw up a plan that supports both health and the desire to have children. Making independent decisions about stopping or adjusting prescription medication is not advisable.

How Wellumo helps with weight loss when trying to conceive

Wellumo offers medical guidance for weight loss through a careful intake process. For people wishing to have a child, it is important that this process always begins with an honest and complete picture of the situation, so that a BIG-registered doctor can make a responsible assessment.

• A medical questionnaire lays the foundation for an individual assessment by a doctor
• A BIG-registered medical practitioner independently assesses whether a treatment is appropriate and responsible
• Not everyone is eligible: GLP-1 medication is not prescribed in the case of an active wish to have children or during pregnancy
• Transparent pricing information beforehand, with no hidden costs
• Medication is shipped discreetly, following approval by a doctor and pharmacist

Would you like to know if a treatment programme is suitable for your situation? Start the Medical intake at Wellumo or view how the trajectory works. If you have a specific question, please take Contact us with the team.