Wegovy is a weekly injectable weight loss medication containing semaglutide, and has become one of the most talked-about treatments for weight management. As use has increased, especially among adults of reproductive age, many people are asking: Does Wegovy affect fertility? Can it help (or hinder) my chances of conceiving? This blog looks at the science, the guidance from regulators and clinicians, and what current evidence supports.
What is Wegovy and how does it work
Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, a drug that mimics a gut hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1. It works primarily by reducing appetite and slowing gastric emptying, which leads to significant weight loss in many users. It’s approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with related health conditions.
Importantly, Wegovy is not a fertility drug and is not approved to treat infertility. Its actions do not directly target reproductive hormones. Instead, its influence on fertility is largely indirect and tied to weight and metabolic health.
Weight, Fertility, and the Indirect Link
Obesity and metabolic disorders (e.g. insulin resistance) can disrupt reproductive systems in both women and men. In women, excess adipose tissue can interfere with hormone balance, ovulation, and menstrual regularity. In men, obesity can affect testosterone production, sperm quality, and overall reproductive function.
Weight loss itself, even modest (5–15%), is associated with improved reproductive function in people with obesity, including better ovulation rates and hormonal balance.
Recent research shows that Wegovy can help people lose up to 20.7% of their body weight, which may support metabolic and hormonal improvements linked to fertility.
Since Wegovy often produces clinically significant weight loss, it may indirectly improve fertility by helping the body restore some of these metabolic and hormonal functions.
This does not mean the drug stimulates fertility directly; rather, improved fertility may follow from improved metabolic health. For people with obesity-related conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), losing weight has been tied to improved ovulatory function and pregnancy rates in clinical research.
Safety Considerations: Pregnancy and Conception Planning
Wegovy During Pregnancy
Regulators and healthcare experts are clear: Wegovy should not be used during pregnancy, particularly for people with obesity, who may face additional health risks. Semaglutide has shown reproductive toxicity in animal studies, and there isn’t enough human data to confirm safety for the developing fetus.
Clinical guidance generally recommends discontinuing Wegovy at least two months before trying to conceive to allow the drug to clear the body given its long half-life.
Contraception While Taking Wegovy
Because weight loss may indirectly improve fertility, and because the safety of Wegovy in pregnancy is unknown, people of reproductive potential are advised to use effective contraception throughout treatment. Regulators in the UK and elsewhere emphasise this point.
What About Male Fertility?
Current evidence does not show that Wegovy impairs male fertility. Clinical data has not established negative effects on sperm production or quality. In fact, because obesity negatively affects male reproductive health, reversing that through weight loss may offer some benefits.
Nonetheless, dedicated research on how Wegovy and other GLP-1 medications influence male reproductive hormones and long-term fertility endpoints remains minimal.
Key takeaways
- Wegovy does not directly act as a fertility drug - scientific evidence does not support a direct influence of semaglutide on fertility pathways.
- Weight loss can improve reproductive health - for people with obesity-related fertility issues, losing weight (whether via medication, diet, exercise, or a combination) may help.
- Fertility improvements seen in some users likely stem from metabolic changes, not the medication acting on reproductive organs.
- Pregnancy safety is still uncertain - Wegovy is not recommended during pregnancy, and it’s advised to stop treatment well before attempting conception.
- Consult a healthcare provider - fertility planning is highly personal. Anyone using Wegovy who is considering pregnancy should consult with clinicians to time treatment appropriately and ensure best outcomes.
Interest in how medications like Wegovy intersect with fertility reflects real concerns and hopes among people balancing weight, hormones, and family planning.
While early evidence suggests metabolic improvements may boost fertility indirectly, we still need more robust, dedicated human research on direct reproductive effects, long-term outcomes, and safety in the context of conception. Until then, the most evidence-based approach is informed discussion with healthcare professionals tailored to individual goals.
