Medicines such as thypostard delay hormone absorption and require additional contraceptive methods, according to a physiologist
Medicines to lose weight like semaglutado (Wegovy) and the tirzepatida (Mounjaro) are on the rise, but increasing concerns have led the UK Drug Regulatory Agency to alert about their use by women of childbearing age.
The warning comes after 40 reports of unplanned pregnancy among users of these drugs, which may be related to interference in the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
How medicines affect fertility
- These drugs mimic the hormone LPG-1, which regulates appetite and slows gastric emptying-a process that affects the absorption of tablets, including contraceptives.
- “It is likely that slower gastric emptying is delayed or reduces the absorption of pill components in the small intestine,” explains Simon Cork, senior professor of physiology at Anglia Ruskin University.
- He points out that while semaglutide has limited effect in this regard, tirzepatida has shown to reduce by 20% the presence of the ethinilestradiol hormone in the blood.
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Side effects impair the action of the pill
Cork also notes that vomiting and diarrhea, common side effects of these medicines, “can prevent any oral medicine from being absorbed before being eliminated from the body.”
In addition, weight loss tends to improve fertility, especially in women with obesity or polycystic ovary syndrome. “The use of these medications can increase the chances of getting pregnant even without altering the effectiveness of the pill.”
He recommends the use of additional contraceptive methods such as condoms or IUD, especially in the first weeks of treatment.
The original version of this text was published in the The Conversation.
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Leandro Criscuolo is a journalist graduated from Cásper Líbero College. He has worked as Copywriter, digital marketing analyst and social networking manager. Currently, he writes for the digital look.
Bruno Capozzi is a journalist graduated from Cásper Líbero College and Master in Social Sciences from PUC-SP, focusing on social networking and technology research.
