A narrative review in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology looks at how GLP-1 receptor agonists and hormonal contraception may interact, in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic terms and across the female reproductive tract. It finds few studies that evaluate the two together and describes substantial gaps in knowledge.
The authors conclude that contraceptive counselling should be a routine part of care when these drugs are started. Because many users are of reproductive age and the interaction data are thin, the safest assumption is that the contraceptive plan has not been reviewed unless someone has asked.
This is a narrative review, so it does not provide risk estimates or a tested protocol. It supports a conversation, not a change in the contraceptive method. Check current national and specialty guidance for your patient's method.
- Raise contraception when a GLP-1 receptor agonist is prescribed to a woman of reproductive age.
- Ask which method she uses and whether she has had vomiting or diarrhoea since starting.
- Check current national or specialty guidance if the method is oral.
- Discuss the plan for stopping the drug before a planned pregnancy.
- Record the contraceptive plan in the same note as the prescription.
Why it matters
The prescriber of the weight or diabetes drug is often the only clinician placed to raise contraception at that moment.
Don't overread it
A narrative review with few interaction studies cannot show that any contraceptive method fails on these drugs.
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