What to know about weight-loss drugs before trying to conceive
Fact checked by Jim Lacy
Many women are turning to popular injectable medications, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, to control blood sugar and body weight. But can they help with fertility, too?
When an individual or couple struggles to conceive, the challenge can seep into all aspects of life: They stress about timing and about the stress itself, worry whether it will ever happen, and search for solutions. Some are wondering if GLP-1s could help.
Nearly 13% of reproductive-age women in the United States seek infertility treatment each year. Causes vary by age, health status, and genetics, but ovulatory disorders account for one-quarter of infertility diagnoses. Approximately 70% of women diagnosed with ovulatory disorders have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Poor blood sugar regulation may play a role. Women with PCOS typically have insulin resistance — a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.
“Women with diabetes are more likely to experience challenges with fertility compared with women without diabetes,” says Courtney Murphy, MD, a physician at Pinnacle Fertility in Chicago. Studies show fecundability, or the chance of conceiving each month, falls by roughly one-third in people with diabetes, with higher rates of infertility and pregnancy loss when diabetes is diagnosed earlier in life, Murphy adds.
Diabetes is an endocrine disorder, and the endocrine system coordinates a delicate hormonal interplay. Reproductive hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone play a role in fertility, while hormones involved in diabetes and metabolic health — including insulin, leptin, ghrelin, and natural GLP-1 — are also indirectly involved. It’s not a stretch to wonder: If GLP-1 medications can help with diabetes, could they also help with fertility?
“Metabolic health is tied to hormonal health, and for women, this is linked to fertility,” Murphy says. GLP-1 medications can influence fertility by supporting overall metabolic health, promoting weight loss, and improving insulin use. “Excess weight and insulin resistance can disrupt hormone balance, interfere with ovulation, and affect the uterine lining, making it harder to conceive,” she says.
“Some studies suggest that women who use GLP-1 medications before trying to conceive may have higher chances of becoming pregnant after stopping the medication.”
Studies show GLP-1 medications help regulate menstrual cycles, lower androgen (male hormone) levels, and support ovarian function. Rather than acting directly as fertility treatments, they improve body composition, which in turn supports metabolic health.
“Some studies suggest that women who use GLP-1 medications before trying to conceive may have higher chances of becoming pregnant after stopping the medication, particularly when weight and menstrual cycle regularity improve,” Murphy says.
Physicians recommend stopping GLP-1s before trying to conceive and during pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects or complications.
“Some of these medications can also interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills when first started, which is why backup contraception is often advised,” Murphy says.
At the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo in October 2025, Rachelle Lacroix Mallik, founder and reproductive dietitian at The Food Therapist in Winnetka, Illinois, presented on GLP-1s and fertility — and quickly dispelled any rumors of a magic fix.
“While some studies in women with PCOS suggest improvements in ovulation and natural pregnancy rates, there isn’t enough evidence that GLP-1s improve fertility treatment success or pregnancy outcomes,” Mallik says. “Decisions about starting, continuing, or stopping these medications for fertility should be made in partnership with a medical provider, such as a reproductive endocrinologist.”
The bottom line: Ask your physician for advice, especially if pregnancy is a priority.
“Rather than focusing on weight loss alone, when preparing for pregnancy, working with a dietitian can help assess nutritional needs and support healthy habits, such as eating regularly; building balanced meals with adequate protein, fiber-rich carbohydrates, fats, and micronutrients; using a prenatal vitamin to address dietary gaps; and managing gastrointestinal side effects,” Mallik says.
She also advises preconception guidance from a clinician to manage medication timing and safety.
“Planning ahead by using reliable contraception while on GLP-1s and having early conversations about pregnancy goals helps ensure a smooth and safe transition when the time is right,” Murphy adds.
Whether or not you’re considering GLP-1s, a dietitian nutritionist can provide a nutrition and lifestyle assessment and calibrate recommendations to improve your diet quality, physical activity, sleep, and stress management — all of which support fertility.
