A new study has revealed that over 75% of young adults aged 16-44 taking medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro for weight loss are women. This has raised concerns around potential impacts on pregnancy and birth rates.
The obesity drugs in the GLP-1 class were only approved for adult use. However, social media posts about taking the medications off-label for weight loss have gone viral among teenage girls and younger women.
With their potent effects on suppressing appetite, delaying gastric emptying, and impacting fertility hormones, experts worry about unintended consequences on reproductive health if GLP-1 drugs are inadvertently used during conception or pregnancy.
Some Have dubbed this the “Ozempic Babies” phenomenon, though real-world impacts remain unclear. Pharmaceutical companies have issued warnings that the drugs should be discontinued before trying to conceive.
The study’s authors emphasize the need for more research on GLP-1 drug safety during pregnancy. Proper counseling is critical as obesity itself carries risks, but so do rapid weight loss and hormonal fluctuations.
As use of these medications booms, particularly among young women aspiring for quick weight loss, more data is needed on impacts to avoid any potential public health crisis. Regulation may also be required.
