How Women Are Getting Pregnant Even While on Birth Control

Imagine that you have been trying for an extended period of time to get pregnant and it just has not happened. Then imagine that you are taking a new weight loss drug and you suddenly become pregnant. You would be ecstatic, right?

Now, let's reverse the situation.  Let's say you are someone who is taking birth control because you want to prevent pregnancy. Let's say you start taking one of the semaglutide medicines mentioned above, and you become pregnant. You might not be too happy about what has happened.

Everywhere you look it seems that people are talking about this issue:

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In a recent article in USA Today, the publication reported on a variety of situations where women who were already on birth control or who had struggled to get pregnant have become pregnant while taking semaglutide drugs like Ozempic or Mounjaro which has the active ingredient tirzepatide.

Just out this quote in USA Today,

"Reproductive and obesity medicine experts told USA TODAY that they're also noticing the trend in their offices,"

They say they believe there are two reasons this is happening:

The medicines are likely to correct hormone imbalances due to obesity and also help women who have metabolic disorders.

It is also possible that some medicines, like the ones mentioned above, are comprising the effectiveness of birth control methods.

Take the condition polycystic ovarian syndrome for example. This is a condition where there are multiple cysts along the ovaries. It is also a metabolic disorder that can lead to infertility in 6% to 12% of the population according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

When you have PCOS, the CDC says many issues can be happening in your body including the following:

Women with PCOS are often insulin resistant; their bodies can make insulin but can't use it effectively, increasing their risk for type 2 diabetes. They also have higher levels of androgens (male hormones that females also have), which can stop eggs from being released (ovulation).

So one avenue being explored is that if women who are obese are put on these medicines then perhaps it is helping them to conceive.

Medical experts do warn though, that you should not be taking this drug if you are thinking about getting pregnant, and you should talk to your doctor about the chances of getting pregnant if you are on these medicines.

The medicines themselves slow down the rate at which food leave your stomach.