Semaglutide and Male Fertility: What We Know So Far

You're on semaglutide, or considering it, and a pregnancy is part of the plan

This is the situation a growing number of men find themselves in. You've been prescribed semaglutide for weight management, things are going well, and then the question arrives: what does this mean for fertility? Our page on whether semaglutide affects fertility goes into this in detail, and the fact that you're asking it before anything goes wrong rather than after puts you in a good position.

The licensed guidance for Wegovy in the UK, published on the Electronic Medicines Compendium, does not list male infertility as a contraindication or a known adverse effect. That said, the clinical trials underpinning the licence were not designed to study sperm quality, testosterone or time-to-conception in male participants. So "not listed as harmful" and "proven safe for fertility" are two very different statements — and it is worth understanding which one the evidence actually supports.

The practical move, before anything else: check the Patient Information Leaflet that came with your pen. It takes under a minute to find the reproductive section. If anything there prompts a question, that question belongs with your prescriber, not a search engine. Our frequently asked questions page covers some of the most common concerns around semaglutide and health conditions, and you can always get in touch with our team directly.

What obesity does to male fertility, and where semaglutide fits in

The relationship between body weight and male reproductive health is well established. Excess adipose tissue raises oestrogen relative to testosterone, can reduce sperm motility and morphology, and is associated with lower libido and erectile function. The NHS overview of obesity notes these downstream effects, and fertility specialists have long included weight management as part of the workup for couples struggling to conceive.

From that angle, semaglutide's primary action (facilitating meaningful weight loss over months) could plausibly improve the hormonal environment for sperm production rather than harm it. Several small studies and case reports in men with obesity and type 2 diabetes (using semaglutide in its diabetes-licensed form) have suggested improvements in testosterone levels alongside weight reduction. These are not large, purpose-built fertility trials; they are early signals. Citing them as proof either way would be overstating the evidence.

The broader picture of semaglutide's effects on health, including what our page on semaglutide and the heart covers, is described by the NHS medicines page for semaglutide, which covers known side effects and how the medicine works. Male reproductive effects are not listed among them, but absence from a safety list is not the same as a green light for everyone in every circumstance.

The female partner question, why this affects couples, not just individuals

If your partner is the one who would carry a pregnancy, semaglutide's profile on their side of the equation is considerably clearer. The medicine is not recommended for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or actively trying to conceive. This is covered in detail on our page about Wegovy and pregnancy, and the guidance on how semaglutide affects female fertility sets out the wash-out period advice and contraception recommendations in full.

For couples, this creates a practical timing question that sits with both partners. If your partner needs to stop semaglutide before trying to conceive, that affects when the attempt should begin. If you are both on treatment, the planning becomes more layered still. The answer in either case is the same: a conversation with your GP, prescriber or a reproductive medicine specialist before you start trying, not after. Our overview of Wegovy and fertility covers the broader couple-level picture if that context is useful.

Who to talk to, and what to say

For most men, the conversation starts with whoever prescribes your semaglutide. At nume, every prescription is reviewed by a GPhC-registered prescriber, not processed by an algorithm, and aftercare is available seven days a week. If you are a nume patient and family planning is now part of your situation, telling us at your next review costs nothing and changes the conversation in useful ways.

If fertility is already a concern (if you've had a semen analysis, if conception has taken longer than expected, or if you have a condition that affects reproductive health) a referral to a fertility specialist is the appropriate next step alongside your prescriber. They can assess sperm parameters directly, look at your hormonal profile, and give you a picture that no general prescriber or online guide can replicate.

One thing worth saying plainly: if the weight management benefit you are getting from semaglutide is significant, pausing treatment without medical guidance carries its own risks. Weight regain is common after stopping GLP-1 medicines, and that too has implications for fertility and general health. The decision is genuinely two-sided, and it belongs with a clinician who knows your full history. If you would like to start that conversation with our team, you can check your eligibility for treatment or review what the Wegovy treatment page covers before your next consultation.