The risk of hidden pregnancy for OzemPIC knows a few women

A new study revealed that most Australian women of childbearing age stipulated in the GLP-1 receptors-do not use drugs that are increasingly used to lose weight such as OzemPIC-effective contraceptives, despite the risks known during pregnancy.

Posted in Australia Medical JournalThe research analyzed data from more than 1.6 million women between the ages of 18 and 49 years who attended public practices between 2011 and 2022. Of 18,010 women described for the first time the GLP-1 receptor stimuli during that time, only 21 % of the use of contraceptives.

It was originally developed to manage type 2 diabetes, and the GLP-1 receptors’ stimuli has gained popularity for its effects that support appetite and weight loss, as the study found that most of the recipes that were now released for women without diabetes.

The main author and the pharmacist, assistant professor Luke Gerzisquak, says that in 2022 alone, more than 6000 women began treatment on the GLP-1, and more than 90 % of these did not suffer from diabetes diagnosis.

“We are witnessing widespread use of these drugs among women in the reproductive age, but very little is the evidence that contraceptives are considered part of routine care,” says Professor Garskoak of the Faculty of Medicine and Public Health.

“These medications can be incredibly beneficial, but they are not free of risk, especially during pregnancy.”

The study found that 2.2 % of women became pregnant within six months of the start of the GLP-1 treatment with pregnancy rates higher among younger women with diabetes, and between women without diabetes in the early thirties.

Women with multi -cysty ovarian syndrome had twice, indicating that weight loss may improve fertility, even when unintended.

More importantly, women who use contraceptives at the time of his description had a much lower risk of pregnancy.

A previous review of animal studies from the University of Amsterdam has linked the GLP-1 exposure during pregnancy to the low growth of the fetus and skeletal abnormalities, and while human data is limited, the potential risks are still related.

“While the UK advises that women who use GLP-1 receptors should avoid pregnancy and use effective contraceptives, this advice is not constantly followed in Australian clinical practice,” says assistant professor Garscoakuak.

“We need to make sure that reproductive health is part of each conversation when these medications are prescribed to any women in the reproductive age.

“It is also important to have clearer recommendations and training instructions for those who describe GLP-1S for women to ensure their safe and effective use.

“Our advice is to speak to your general doctor about the risks and benefits of the GLP-1 drugs before taking it, and only take those stipulated by a health care specialist.”

The authors say that there is something that justifies other studies to assess the effect of these medications on pregnancy and infants who have not yet been born.

Thanks and appreciation: Luke Grzeskowiak receives salaries support from Channel Research Fellowship (CRF-210323). We also acknowledge the contributions of the members of the Research Excellence Center in the sexual and reproductive health of women in primary care (SPARE 2.0 CRE), which is funded by the National Council for Health and Medical Research (APP2024717).