Zaher Merhi [Live Link]
Published on 31, Jan 2024
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TC6Cw9gzxAoxr2CNBR6h1PZ5JQUFQyxcZSHTUOkPPPM/edit?usp=sharing
Will Ozempic Hurt My Eggs?
It's widely acknowledged that being overweight can have a negative impact on fertility, especially for women - but dropping the extra weight is often easier said than done. But for women hoping to become mothers, it’s a very real concern.
There’s a complex and multifaceted relationship between excess weight and fertility problems. A weight issue is often linked to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. And in turn, PCOS can lead to hormonal imbalances, which can disrupt ovulation and menstruation, or even obliterate the menstruation cycle altogether. That makes it much more challenging to predict ovulation and complicates the process of conception.
So we know that losing weight can help boost fertility for those struggling to conceive - but again, it’s easier said than done. But now many are turning to ozempic as a quick fix for help to shed the pounds.
Ozempic is a commonly prescribed anti-diabetic medication for weight loss. It acts by enhancing the secretion of insulin - thus lowering blood glucose levels. This action assists in managing blood sugar levels and aids in weight loss by slowing gastric emptying, which promotes a prolonged sense of satiety.
Dr. Zaher Merhi, founder and medical director of the Rejuvenating Fertility Center (RFC), says that Ozempic, Mounjaro, and other similar medications have been prescribed at an alarming rate in the U.S. “These FDA-approved antihyperglycemic medications are being used not only for diabetes treatment, but also for weight loss,” Dr. Merhi shares. “However, some of the risks aren't clear yet.”
Are they safe when trying to get pregnant? Do they affect fertility in a good or a bad way? Are they safe for women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)?
“What we know so far is that using weight loss injections before undergoing IVF in women with PCOS only has the potential to be a significant advancement in fertility treatment,” says Dr. Merhi. “This includes weight loss injections that belong to the GLP-1 agonists family, like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy. This type of weight loss can really help overweight patients with PCOS - women known to have high risk for insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and diabetes.”
However, he cautions, “these medications have not been studied yet for overweight/obese women WITHOUT PCOS who are not at risk of diabetes. One study in rats showed that GLP-1 agonists could indeed be bad for the ovaries and uterus. Another study in animals demonstrated that GLP-1 agonists could disrupt progesterone production by the ovaries. But these studies can’t yet be translated to humans.”
“Reproductive-aged women who take these medications only for weight loss should be cautious, because we do not know their impact on the ovaries and uterus yet,” says Dr. Merhi.
RFC and IVF for Overweight Women
He adds that RFC promotes holistic, natural, organic solutions first. For years, patients have been denied IVF because they are overweight due to fear of the risks of general anesthesia during egg collection.
“Except it’s not true,” Dr. Merhi says. “According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), obesity shouldn't be the sole criteria for denying a patient or couple access to infertility treatments. Also, local anesthesia to prevent pain is easily performed for egg collection - which avoids the risks presented by general anesthesia.”
The team at RFC maintains a constant dedication to addressing all the multifaceted challenges of fertility. Improving patients’ health and optimizing their body weight is one way to enhance the chances of successful IVF outcomes - and healthy babies.
“Until proven safe for fertility, these weight loss injection medications should be used with care,” says Dr. Merhi. “Women using them should be aware that we still do not know what these injections do to their fertility.”
He concludes that because RFC has no age or weight cutoff for IVF, no patient should feel like they have to embark on a weight loss journey alone just to combat infertility. The team at RFC welcomes patients of all ages, all weights, and all medical backgrounds.
Rejuvenating Fertility Clinic is New York and Connecticut's first IVF Center to offer non-conventional, holistic, and organic fertility methods. The clinic is currently accepting patients and offers a variety of IVF options, egg donation and surrogacy, and other fertility treatments such as PRP and Adipose-PRP ovarian rejuvenation.
Website: https://www.rejuvenatingfertility.com/
Email: info@rejuvenatingfertility.com
Phone: (203) 557-9696
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