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Do GLP-1s affect your chances of getting pregnant?
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11/15/25
So, I’m currently in the before season, if you will.
Before the positive pregnancy test.
Before truly trying to conceive.
Before motherhood.
The before… the season we don’t talk about nearly enough, but it’s quite literally one of the most important.
Earlier this year, I started micro-dosing GLP-1s for weight management. It’s helped me become more mindful of my hunger cues and portion sizes, but even with micro-dosing, I’ve found myself unintentionally under-nourishing.
It’s subtle… skipping meals because I’m not hungry, eating lighter out of habit, or simply forgetting that less isn’t always better. And while the weight loss was intentional, I’ve realized that optimizing my health, especially in this “before” season, means shifting the focus from shrinking to rebuilding: supporting my metabolism, restoring hormones, and feeding my future fertility.
To really see how my body was responding to the peptides (well, more so my habits since beginning them), I ran a DUTCH hormone test and the results confirmed what I was feeling. My reproductive hormones were incredibly under-signaled. Estradiol (estrogen) and progesterone were both low, which means my brain and ovaries weren’t communicating efficiently. My body wasn’t prioritizing reproduction; It was prioritizing survival. Which sounds extreme, but our bodies are incredibly intuitive and adaptive. If caloric and protein intake drop for too long, our body has to ration where the fuel from the little food we are consuming has to go.
And fortunately/unfortunately, it is not our reproductive hormones.
And I could feel it.
My periods became lighter, and my ovulation window shorter. My cycle was still there, but it was quieter, almost muted. Those small changes told me that my body was adapting on how to function with less.
Low hormones aren’t just about fertility; they’re about energy, metabolism, mood, and recovery. When they are low or under-signaled, it’s really just the body’s way of saying, “I just don’t feel safe enough to sustain a new life.”
What can undernourishment look like:
- Lighter or shorter periods
- A less predictable ovulation window
- Lower progesterone and estradiol levels
- Fatigue, disrupted sleep, or mood changes that mirror “low hormone” symptoms
This doesn’t mean GLP-1s are harmful, it just means we have to use them with intention. We can leverage their benefits while still supporting hormone health by focusing on the basics: consistent nourishment, blood sugar balance, and recovery.
Here’s what I started focusing on based on my results:
1. Eat Enough, Even When You’re Not Hungry
Because GLP-1s can blunt appetite, I set meal reminders and aimed for three balanced meals daily, prioritizing protein first (30–40 g per meal) with colorful fruits/veggies and complex carbs such as (sweet potatoes, quinoa/ brown rice, oats, chickpeas and carrots).
2. Rebuild Mineral & Micronutrient Stores
I focused on magnesium, zinc, B-vitamins, and iron-rich foods which are all essential for ovarian function and balancing our hormones naturally. A few of my favorite go-to’s: eggs, pumpkin seeds, leafy greens, and citrus with meals to support absorption.
3. Support Liver Detox + Methylation
One part of my results showed that my hormone detox pathways were running a little slow, specifically, the part of the process that helps the liver break down and clear used estrogen. (This is what’s called methylation — basically your body’s way of tagging hormones and toxins so they can be safely eliminated.)
To support my natural detox, I focused on cruciferous vegetables, dark leafy greens, and plenty of fluids to keep things moving. I also added 1–2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed daily, which can help bind and clear excess estrogen through the gut.
A few times a week, I use a castor oil pack. I don’t have sensitive skin so I usually wrap my stomach (making sure to cover my liver area) and I fall asleep with it on. I actually have really enjoyed it and it supports circulation and lymphatic flow, which can help my body gently detoxify.
4. Rebuild Metabolic Rhythm
Because my free cortisol was normal but metabolized cortisol low, the goal wasn’t to rest more… it was to restore rhythm. So, I added:
- Morning sunlight exposure within 30 minutes of waking (easiest way to do this- walk my dog first thing in the morning!!)
- Protein + minerals within an hour of waking (before coffee if possible)
- Strength training 3–4×/week focused on progressive overload
- Evening wind-down routine to anchor sleep quality (added in magnesium glycinate to help me get more restful sleep)
5. Stabilize Blood Sugar Intentionally
Even small glucose dips can suppress progesterone production. Best way to stabilize blood sugar intentionally? Pair carbs with fat or protein!
6. Track, Don’t Obsess
I began tracking my cycle, cervical mucus, and morning temperature. I personally use Flo Tracker, but I am considering switching to Natural Cycles so I can integrate it into my Oura Ring.
7. Reintroduce Restorative Movement
Instead of chasing calorie burn, I focused on muscle-building and walking (minimum 8-10k steps daily). Strength training helps increase insulin sensitivity and hormone production which are both crucial in the “rebuild” phase!
I share all my results on “My protocol” page on my website. The goal is to just genuinely show what labs and hormones can look like in real time, even if they aren’t perfect.
Want a closer look? Follow the link here.
With love,
Alicia Swindler, AGACNP-BC
Founder of House of Nourish
So, I’m currently in the before season, if you will.
Before the positive pregnancy test.
Before truly trying to conceive.
Before motherhood.
The before… the season we don’t talk about nearly enough, but it’s quite literally one of the most important.
Earlier this year, I started micro-dosing GLP-1s for weight management. It’s helped me become more mindful of my hunger cues and portion sizes, but even with micro-dosing, I’ve found myself unintentionally under-nourishing.
It’s subtle… skipping meals because I’m not hungry, eating lighter out of habit, or simply forgetting that less isn’t always better. And while the weight loss was intentional, I’ve realized that optimizing my health, especially in this “before” season, means shifting the focus from shrinking to rebuilding: supporting my metabolism, restoring hormones, and feeding my future fertility.
To really see how my body was responding to the peptides (well, more so my habits since beginning them), I ran a DUTCH hormone test and the results confirmed what I was feeling. My reproductive hormones were incredibly under-signaled. Estradiol (estrogen) and progesterone were both low, which means my brain and ovaries weren’t communicating efficiently. My body wasn’t prioritizing reproduction; It was prioritizing survival. Which sounds extreme, but our bodies are incredibly intuitive and adaptive. If caloric and protein intake drop for too long, our body has to ration where the fuel from the little food we are consuming has to go.
And fortunately/unfortunately, it is not our reproductive hormones.
And I could feel it.
My periods became lighter, and my ovulation window shorter. My cycle was still there, but it was quieter, almost muted. Those small changes told me that my body was adapting on how to function with less.
Low hormones aren’t just about fertility; they’re about energy, metabolism, mood, and recovery. When they are low or under-signaled, it’s really just the body’s way of saying, “I just don’t feel safe enough to sustain a new life.”
What can undernourishment look like:
- Lighter or shorter periods
- A less predictable ovulation window
- Lower progesterone and estradiol levels
- Fatigue, disrupted sleep, or mood changes that mirror “low hormone” symptoms
This doesn’t mean GLP-1s are harmful, it just means we have to use them with intention. We can leverage their benefits while still supporting hormone health by focusing on the basics: consistent nourishment, blood sugar balance, and recovery.
Here’s what I started focusing on based on my results:
1. Eat Enough, Even When You’re Not Hungry
Because GLP-1s can blunt appetite, I set meal reminders and aimed for three balanced meals daily, prioritizing protein first (30–40 g per meal) with colorful fruits/veggies and complex carbs such as (sweet potatoes, quinoa/ brown rice, oats, chickpeas and carrots).
2. Rebuild Mineral & Micronutrient Stores
I focused on magnesium, zinc, B-vitamins, and iron-rich foods which are all essential for ovarian function and balancing our hormones naturally. A few of my favorite go-to’s: eggs, pumpkin seeds, leafy greens, and citrus with meals to support absorption.
3. Support Liver Detox + Methylation
One part of my results showed that my hormone detox pathways were running a little slow, specifically, the part of the process that helps the liver break down and clear used estrogen. (This is what’s called methylation — basically your body’s way of tagging hormones and toxins so they can be safely eliminated.)
To support my natural detox, I focused on cruciferous vegetables, dark leafy greens, and plenty of fluids to keep things moving. I also added 1–2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed daily, which can help bind and clear excess estrogen through the gut.
A few times a week, I use a castor oil pack. I don’t have sensitive skin so I usually wrap my stomach (making sure to cover my liver area) and I fall asleep with it on. I actually have really enjoyed it and it supports circulation and lymphatic flow, which can help my body gently detoxify.
4. Rebuild Metabolic Rhythm
Because my free cortisol was normal but metabolized cortisol low, the goal wasn’t to rest more… it was to restore rhythm. So, I added:
- Morning sunlight exposure within 30 minutes of waking (easiest way to do this- walk my dog first thing in the morning!!)
- Protein + minerals within an hour of waking (before coffee if possible)
- Strength training 3–4×/week focused on progressive overload
- Evening wind-down routine to anchor sleep quality (added in magnesium glycinate to help me get more restful sleep)
5. Stabilize Blood Sugar Intentionally
Even small glucose dips can suppress progesterone production. Best way to stabilize blood sugar intentionally? Pair carbs with fat or protein!
6. Track, Don’t Obsess
I began tracking my cycle, cervical mucus, and morning temperature. I personally use Flo Tracker, but I am considering switching to Natural Cycles so I can integrate it into my Oura Ring.
7. Reintroduce Restorative Movement
Instead of chasing calorie burn, I focused on muscle-building and walking (minimum 8-10k steps daily). Strength training helps increase insulin sensitivity and hormone production which are both crucial in the “rebuild” phase!
I share all my results on “My protocol” page on my website. The goal is to just genuinely show what labs and hormones can look like in real time, even if they aren’t perfect.
Want a closer look? Follow the link here.
With love,
Alicia Swindler, AGACNP-BC
Founder of House of Nourish
