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'Perfect storm' pregnancy warning issued to women on weight-loss jabs

Dr Wiljon Beltre says it is essential people use 'back-up methods' if a woman is taking GLP-1 medication

[Dr Wiljon Beltre warned women that their contraceptive pill can be 'less effective' if you take GLP-1s]

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Dr Wiljon Beltre warned women that their contraceptive pill can be 'less effective' if you take GLP-1s(Image: Dr Wiljon Beltre/SWNS)

A doctor who specialises in obesity management and weight loss surgery is warning women on weight loss jabs that their contraceptive pill can be 'less effective' if they take GLP-1s. "If you rely on an oral birth control pill, you need to use a backup method like condoms," Dr Wiljon Beltre says, a board-certified and fellowship-trained bariatric and metabolic surgeon.

The impact of weight loss jabs on the contraceptive pill does depend on the type of GLP-1 you use, however. "Wegovy itself does not directly block the contraceptive pill from working in your gut," says Dr Beltre, who specialises in advanced weight loss procedures.

"That specific absorption warning actually applies to drugs like Mounjaro and Zepbound. The real issue with Wegovy is the side effects, as if you take your daily pill and then throw up two hours later due to nausea, your body wouldn't have absorbed it yet.

"It's the same thing as missing a pill. Also if you have severe diarrhoea for a couple of days, those hormones are flushing right through your system before they can do their job."

Another important factor to consider is the extreme and fast weight loss, says the doctor.

"If you're someone with obesity, losing 15 to 20% of your body weight can reset your hormones," says Dr Beltre. "Women with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) or severe obesity who thought they were infertile can suddenly start ovulating again, giving a massive boost in natural fertility.

"Combined with a birth control pill that just got thrown up, it's the perfect storm for an unplanned pregnancy."

The doctor advices to switch to an IUS (intrauterine system), patch, or implant if you get frequent nausea from your weight loss jab. As for Mounjaro, Dr Beltre says there's even greater issue.

[The doctor said that if you take your daily pill and then throw up two hours later due to nausea, 'your body wouldn't have absorbed it yet']

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The doctor said that if you take your daily pill and then throw up two hours later due to nausea, 'your body wouldn't have absorbed it yet'(Image: SWNS)

"Mounjaro can pose a direct absorption issue for birth control pills. This is because it targets two gut hormones instead of one which slows the emptying of the stomach a lot more, especially when you're starting out or increasing the dose.

"The delay in digestion can drop the peak levels of contraceptive hormones that get absorbed into your bloodstream by around 20%, which means the pill doesn't hit your system quickly or strongly enough to guarantee full protection."

For this reason, the doctor says that if you rely on an oral birth control pill, you need to use a backup method like condoms for four full weeks after your first jab, and for four full weeks after every single dose increase.

The NHS website says: "Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives in those who are overweight. Therefore, those taking Mounjaro who are overweight and are using an oral form of contraception are advised to also use a non-oral form of contraception. This only applies to those taking Mounjaro and is especially important for the four weeks after starting Mounjaro and after any dose increase."

Eli Lilly says: "If you take birth control pills by mouth, talk to your healthcare provider before you use Zepbound. Birth control pills may not work as well while using Zepbound."

The NHS Westbury Group Practice website says Wegovy and other semaglutide products do not appear to reduce the effectiveness of the pill. Yet it notes that "side effects like vomiting or diarrhoea can still reduce how well the pill is absorbed. So, use extra protection (like condoms) if you have vomiting or diarrhoea and follow the missed pill rules (see the patient information leaflet which comes with your pill) if you vomit within 3 hours of taking the pill or have diarrhoea for more than 24 hours."

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