GLP-1 Medications May Boost Fertility for Some Women

Ashlee Amborn spent years undergoing fertility treatments to have her first two children, so when she got pregnant naturally just four months after her second was born, she was stunned. The 30-year-old credits a GLP-1 medication she'd started taking for managing her PCOS symptoms.

Amborn had been dealing with multiple conditions that made pregnancy difficult, including polycystic ovarian syndrome, a single functioning fallopian tube, and other complications. After her second child, severe inflammation and hormone imbalance from PCOS prompted her to take action.

A medical professional suggested trying a GLP-1 medication to help manage her symptoms. Just one month later, she discovered she was pregnant.

"It was kind of these mixed emotions of, 'Holy cow, I'm pregnant,'" Amborn said. "I did this on my own without fertility treatment. All it took was a GLP-1."

A recent review published in a South American medical journal found a possible link between GLP-1 use and improved fertility in women with obesity and PCOS, particularly when combined with the diabetes medication metformin. The researchers believe weight loss from GLP-1s may improve insulin resistance, which can lead to better ovulation rates and healthier ovarian function.

Dr. Jacinta Anyaoku, a physician specializing in obesity and women's health, told ABC News she's observed similar results in her patients. "When you lose weight, your inflammation goes down," she explained. "It actually can help with improving your rate of ovulation."

Why This Inspires

This discovery offers hope to women who've struggled with fertility challenges related to PCOS and obesity. While researchers continue studying the connection, some women are already experiencing unexpected joy from these medications' ripple effects on their overall health.

However, experts emphasize that GLP-1s aren't meant to replace fertility treatments and aren't routinely prescribed for that purpose. Healthcare providers recommend stopping the medications about two months before trying to conceive, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists warns against using them during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

For Amborn, who'd been told pregnancy might be impossible, the experience felt miraculous. "When I got pregnant four months postpartum on a GLP-1 I said, 'Where has this been?'"

Women considering GLP-1 medications should work closely with their healthcare providers to create an individualized plan that addresses their specific health needs and pregnancy goals.