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Girls taking standard weight-loss medicines throughout their reproductive years could also be unaware of related dangers to being pregnant and unborn infants, warn Flinders College researchers.
A brand new examine has revealed that almost all Australian ladies of reproductive age prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists—medicines more and more used for weight reduction comparable to Ozempic—will not be utilizing efficient contraception, regardless of recognized dangers throughout being pregnant.
Printed within the Medical Journal of Australia, the analysis analyzed information from over 1.6 million ladies aged 18 to 49 who attended common practices between 2011 and 2022. Of the 18,010 ladies who have been first prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists throughout that point, solely 21% had reported utilizing contraception.
The paper is titled “Incidence of GLP-1 receptor agonist use by women of reproductive age attending general practices in Australia, 2011–2022: a retrospective open cohort study.”
Initially developed to handle sort 2 diabetes, GLP-1 receptor agonists have gained recognition for his or her appetite-suppressing and weight-loss results, with the examine discovering that almost all prescriptions at the moment are issued to ladies with out diabetes.
Lead writer and pharmacist, Affiliate Professor Luke Grzeskowiak, says that in 2022 alone, greater than 6,000 ladies started remedy on GLP-1s, and over 90% of these didn’t have a diabetes prognosis.
“We’re seeing widespread use of these medications among women of childbearing age, but very little evidence that contraception is being considered as part of routine care,” says Affiliate Professor Grzeskowiak from the School of Drugs and Public Well being.
“These medications can be incredibly helpful, but they’re not risk-free, especially during pregnancy.”
The examine discovered that 2.2% of girls grew to become pregnant inside six months of beginning GLP-1 remedy with being pregnant charges highest amongst youthful ladies with diabetes, and amongst ladies with out diabetes of their early thirties.
Girls with polycystic ovary syndrome have been twice as prone to conceive, suggesting that weight reduction might enhance fertility, even when unintended.
Importantly, ladies who have been utilizing contraception on the time of prescribing had a considerably decrease threat of being pregnant.
A earlier overview of animal research from the College of Amsterdam linked GLP-1 publicity throughout being pregnant to lowered fetal development and skeletal abnormalities, and whereas human information are restricted, the potential dangers stay regarding.
“While the UK advises that women using GLP-1 receptor agonists should avoid pregnancy and use effective contraception, this advice is not being followed consistently in Australian clinical practice,” says Affiliate Professor Grzeskowiak.
“We have to make sure that reproductive well being is a part of each dialog when these medication are prescribed to any ladies of childbearing age.
“It’s also vitally necessary that now we have clearer apply suggestions and tips for these prescribing GLP-1s to ladies to make sure their secure and efficient use.
“Our advice is to speak to your GP about the risks and benefits of GLP-1 medicines before taking them, and only take those prescribed by a health care professional.”
The authors say that additional research evaluating the impression of those medicines on being pregnant and unborn infants are warranted.
Extra data:
Kailash Thapaliya et al, Incidence of GLP‐1 receptor agonist use by ladies of reproductive age attending common practices in Australia, 2011–2022: a retrospective open cohort examine, Medical Journal of Australia (2025). DOI: 10.5694/mja2.70026
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GLP-1 weight-loss medication pose hidden dangers for younger ladies, warn consultants (2025, September 9)
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