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CME Credit Offered
CME Credit Offered
Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Recording available 2/16-5/2
Recording available 2/16-5/2
AIUM Credit
AIUM Credit
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Foundation Awardee
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Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee

Poster Session 1

Category: Perinatal Mental Health

Poster Session 1

(334) Preconception GLP-1 receptor agonist use and the risk of postpartum depression and anxiety

Wednesday, February 11, 2026
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM  
Objective:
Centrally-acting anti-obesity medications (AOMs) have been linked to increased risks of anxiety, depression, and suicidality. While current evidence regarding mental health outcomes in non-pregnant individuals using GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) is reassuring, the impact on pregnant individuals remains unstudied. This study evaluates whether GLP-1RA use before or during pregnancy affects postpartum mental health outcomes.

Study Design:
Using the TriNetX U.S. Collaborative, we identified deliveries from adult women with a BMI ≥ 25 between May 2006–May 2024 with a GLP-1RA or an alternative FDA-approved AOM prescription (orlistat, phentermine-topiramate, and bupropion-naltrexone). Use was categorized as a prescription either within 1 year preconception only or during pregnancy. After 1:1 propensity-score matching on demographics, comorbidities, healthcare utilization, and substance use, we calculated risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of mental health outcomes within 1 year postpartum between GLP-1RA and alternative AOM users.

Results:
We identified 792 individuals with GLP-1 RA preconception use and 285 with use during pregnancy, each matched to an alternative AOM user (Table 1). GLP-1RA preconception use was associated with increased risks of incident (RR 1.53, 95% CI 1.004-2.316) and recurrent postpartum anxiety (1.22, 95% CI 1.050-1.421) (Figure 1). GLP-1RA use during pregnancy was associated with a similar, though non-significant, increase in incident postpartum anxiety (RR 1.80, 95% CI 0.983-3.286). No differences were observed in recurrent postpartum anxiety or incident or recurrent postpartum depression. Other mental health outcomes (suicidality, bipolar disorder, OCD, and PTSD) were too rare for analysis.

Conclusion:
Preconception GLP1-RA use is associated with increased risk of postpartum anxiety, but not depression. The lack of significant association with use during pregnancy suggests risk may be influenced by duration of discontinuation. Further research is needed on mental health outcomes after GLP-1RA discontinuation in pregnant individuals.