Does Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro affect birth control?

What is Ozempic and Wegovy?

Ozempic is a brand name. Ozempic is a drug called semaglutide and is licensed to lower blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetics (T2DM). It is manufactured by the company Novo Nordisk¹. Novo Nordisk also manufactures Wegovy. Interestingly, Wegovy is the same drug – semaglutide, but Wegovy is licensed for weight loss². 

Our body produces a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in our digestive tract when we eat. GLP-1 increases the production of insulin and also suppresses appetite. Semaglutide acts like GLP-1, meaning it lowers blood sugar and decreases your appetite even more. 

Ozempic and Wegovy are both prescription only injectable medications. They start at a dose of 0.25mg, which is then slowly increased if your side effects are manageable. You can get these medications on the NHS if you meet the criteria for Ozempic or Wegovy, but you can also get prescriptions from private online pharmacies or weight loss clinics³.  

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is not the same as Wegovy or Ozempic. It contains a drug called tirzepatide. It is another injectable medication which is only available via a prescription.

Mounjaro acts like the GLP-1 hormone, but also like another hormone called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). These hormones increase the insulin level in the body, lowering sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. Just like semaglutide, it can also reduce appetite. So Mounjaro users often notice weight loss⁴. 

Does semaglutide affect birth control?

If you are asking yourself does Ozempic affect birth control, you are also asking does Wegovy affect birth control. 

Ozempic has taken the world by storm, not only does it help people shed the pounds, it also caused a baby frenzy dubbed Ozempic babies. Many worried there was an interaction between ozempic and birth control, however, the more likely theory is that weight loss helps women release eggs more regularly so there’s more chance of getting pregnant. 

Some people worry that Ozempic or Wegovy can slow down food moving out of the stomach which could affect the absorption of oral birth control pills⁵. The worry is, if less of the hormones are absorbed into the body, an egg could still be released and result in pregnancy. 

However, there is no evidence that this is true and no research has shown that Ozempic or Wegovy affect your birth control. In fact, research on the combined pill in 2015 showed that semaglutide did not affect the concentration of hormones in the bloodstream.⁶

So we’re happy it’s safe!

Does Mounjaro affect birth control?

Yes, Mounjaro can affect your birth control. Research showed that after using Mounjaro, lower levels of hormones from oral contraceptive pills were absorbed into the blood stream.⁷

This could be due to the possible slow emptying of food from the stomach caused by Mounjaro.

It is advised to think about switching to a non-hormonal birth control option like the patch, ring, implant, birth control shot/injection or an IUD. If you prefer to stay on oral birth control pills, you are advised to avoid sex or use condoms for 4 weeks after starting Mounjaro and for 4 weeks after every dose increase.

Can semaglutide or tirzepatide be used in pregnancy?

No, it is best to avoid using these medications when you’re pregnant. There is not enough evidence to suggest it is safe to use. In reality, initial trials of semaglutide in pregnant rats showed an increase in pregnancy loss, birth defects and low birth weight⁸.

You should stop using Ozempic and Wegovy for at least 2 months and Mounjaro for at least 4 weeks before trying to get pregnant. 

So if you find yourself pregnant while using semaglutide or tirzepatide, please put the injectable pen down and book your appointment with the GP to get your antenatal care started!