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The Buzz…

Originally intended for type 2 diabetes, this medication is making waves globally, driven by remarkable buzz as celebrities visibly slim down, with limbs narrowing, faces becoming more defined, and profiles sharpening. Now, millions are eagerly seeking prescriptions, prompting experts to assess the potential worldwide impact of a significant decrease in obesity rates.

But the side effects aren’t fully known yet - there have been some talks about nausea, stomach pain, hair loss and the well-talked-about “Ozempic face” which can only be described as a saggy face.

Unexpected Pregnancies? 

Women have discovered these mystery pregnancies on various forums like Facebook.. “I got pregnant on Ozmepic”, Reddit threads and stories from doctors, have caused some alarm.

The possibility of an unexpected pregnancy can be a source of joy for those who have faced fertility challenges and yearned for a child, while it can be deeply concerning for those who do not wish to have children. The real issue is the glaring absence of data on the effects of taking these drugs before and during conception and the potential impact on the fetus. Additionally, there's the risk of contraception failing to work effectively.

What Does The Research Say?

Animal studies have demonstrated that high doses of these weight loss drugs, which enhance the hormone GLP-1 through semaglutide, result in significant adverse effects. Offspring are born smaller, exhibit malformations, and face higher mortality rates. Additionally, the mother rodents experience reduced appetite, consume less food, and consequently, fewer nutrients reach the fetus.

Research indicates that these drugs can significantly reduce the number of proteins responsible for nutrient transfer from mother to child, which is quite concerning. In studies involving rabbits and cynomolgus monkeys, the mothers were thinner, had higher miscarriage rates, and their fetuses exhibited more abnormalities.

Addressing these issues, a spokesperson for Ozempic manufacturer Novo Nordisk acknowledged the lack of sufficient data to determine the risk of birth defects or miscarriage. However, they confirmed that animal tests suggest potential risks to the fetus from semaglutide exposure during pregnancy.

Some experts suggest that Ozempic could help women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) ovulate, leading to weight loss, improved insulin resistance, and more balanced hormones. PCOS is a common cause of infertility, particularly in women with obesity. Despite this, the companies have no plans to investigate further.

Melanie Cree, director of the PCOS Clinic at Children's Hospital Colorado, noted that Ozempic babies are "happening all over the place," which she finds exciting yet somewhat alarming due to the lack of comprehensive data.

Final Thoughts

A bit unsettling? This isn't the first time we've eagerly embraced a new remedy for various ailments, consuming it without fully understanding its potential side effects.

We don't even know if it passes into human breast milk, although it appears in the milk of lactating rats, which should give us pause. The revelation that a significant number of women have become pregnant while on these drugs — and that more doctors are reporting ovulation as a side effect — has left me astounded.

Not because women, while gradually losing weight, are suddenly finding themselves fertile, but because, once again, the manufacturers of a widely popular drug, taken by millions of women worldwide, have failed to gather data on its effects on women's reproductive organs or their offspring.

Thank you for reading! Stay tuned for more tips and insights in our next newsletter.

All the best,

Body & Mind