Women with PCOS Are Trying GLP-1 Drugs to Get Pregnant, but Fertility Evidence Is Still Early and Limited

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Vitaly Gariev | Pexels Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Pocket Some women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are turning to GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide in hopes of improving their chances of getting pregnant, ABC News reported on Oct. 14. Early research suggests a possible benefit for some patients, but the drugs are not approved as fertility treatments, and the evidence remains preliminary.

PCOS, which an international group renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) in May, is one of the most common causes of infertility and is often linked to irregular ovulation and insulin resistance. For women who have spent years on fertility treatment, stories of conception after starting a GLP-1 can feel hopeful. The more practical question is how to use the drugs safely if pregnancy is the goal, because guidance calls for stopping them before trying to conceive.

ABC profiled a 30-year-old woman who had fertility treatment for her first two children and became pregnant with her third about a month after starting a GLP-1. One patient’s experience cannot show whether the drug caused the pregnancy.

The research behind the trend is limited. A 2026 narrative review in JBRA Assisted Reproduction, the journal of the Brazilian Society of Assisted Reproduction, examined 47 studies. The authors concluded that GLP-1 drugs are a promising strategy before conception for women with PCOS and obesity, with improvements in ovulation and pregnancy outcomes especially when combined with the diabetes drug metformin.

The strongest numbers come from a small set of studies. One randomized trial cited in the review reported pregnancy rates of 69.2% with liraglutide plus metformin, compared with 35.4% with metformin alone. Researchers think the benefit may come from weight loss and improved insulin resistance, which can restore ovulation, but that explanation has not been proven.

The review was a narrative summary, not a systematic review or meta-analysis, and its literature search was run in June 2025. Much of the evidence involves older GLP-1 drugs such as liraglutide and exenatide rather than today’s widely used semaglutide and tirzepatide. Most studies focused on women with both PCOS and obesity, so the findings may not apply to women with PCOS at a lower weight.

Dr. Jacinta Anyaoku, a Maven Clinic physician who specializes in obesity and women’s midlife health, told ABC that GLP-1s “can help with improving your rate of ovulation” in some patients. She noted, however, that no studies directly correlate GLP-1 use with ovulation rates. Current U.S. guidance has not changed, and GLP-1s are not a substitute for standard fertility medications.

A separate 2026 analysis in Obstetrics & Gynecology pooled more than 47,000 pregnancies with GLP-1 exposure shortly before or early in pregnancy and found no increased risk of gestational diabetes, preterm birth, or high blood pressure disorders. Vanderbilt University Medical Center researcher Elizabeth Jasper, PhD, said the findings should mainly reassure patients after accidental early exposure, telling Contemporary OB/GYN, “No evidence of increased risk does not mean proof of no risk.”

GLP-1 drugs are not recommended during pregnancy because animal studies have shown possible risks to a developing fetus, and ABC reported that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises against using them during pregnancy or breastfeeding. “It is important to discontinue your GLP-1 prior to pregnancy,” Anyaoku told ABC. “The current recommendation is to stop taking your GLP-1 about two months prior to starting to try to conceive.”

The Wegovy prescribing information advises stopping semaglutide at least two months before a planned pregnancy because the drug stays in the body for weeks, and the JBRA review put the washout for semaglutide and tirzepatide at eight to 10 weeks. A woman who stops the drug may regain weight or see blood sugar rise while waiting to try, and a clinician can help weigh those changes against the timing of pregnancy.

Birth control is another concern. The review noted that tirzepatide may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Its maker, Eli Lilly, advises patients on the pill to switch to a non-oral method or add a barrier method for four weeks after starting the drug and after each dose increase. New Jersey pharmacist Karen Berger told ABC that GLP-1 prescribing information advises patients to discuss pregnancy plans with their provider and to report a pregnancy right away.

Women with PCOS considering a GLP-1 while hoping to conceive can ask several direct questions. Is the drug being prescribed for weight, blood sugar, or another approved use? How long should it be stopped before trying to get pregnant, and what birth control is reliable while taking it? Should metformin or standard ovulation medications be considered instead of or alongside it?

Women already seeing a fertility specialist can ask how a GLP-1 fits with planned treatment cycles, since stopping the drug and waiting about two months can delay an IVF or ovulation-induction schedule. Insurance coverage for GLP-1 drugs varies widely, and many plans limit coverage to diabetes or obesity diagnoses. Patients should avoid compounded or online versions from unverified sellers. Anyone who becomes pregnant while taking a GLP-1 should contact their prescriber right away rather than stopping or changing medications without guidance.

A planned randomized trial in China, listed on ClinicalTrials.gov, will compare the GLP-1 drug benaglutide with metformin in women with obesity and PCOS undergoing IVF. Larger studies like it should help clarify whether the benefit holds up. Until then, GLP-1s may be one tool in a broader PCOS care plan, best used with a clear conception timeline set with a clinician.

Can GLP-1 drugs help women with PCOS get pregnant?

Early studies suggest they may improve ovulation and pregnancy rates in some women with PCOS and obesity. The evidence is limited, and the drugs are not approved fertility treatments.

How long before trying to conceive should a GLP-1 be stopped?

The Wegovy label advises stopping semaglutide at least two months before a planned pregnancy, and a 2026 review put the washout for semaglutide and tirzepatide at eight to 10 weeks.

They are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Early-exposure data are reassuring for some complications, but researchers say that does not prove there is no risk.

Tirzepatide may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Its maker advises switching to a non-oral method or adding a barrier method for four weeks after starting and after each dose increase.

What if I get pregnant while taking a GLP-1?

Contact your prescriber right away. Do not stop or change medications without medical guidance.

Ask why the drug is being prescribed, when to stop it before conception, what contraception to use, and whether metformin or standard fertility drugs are better options.