I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July weekend, and returned refreshed. In theory, things should be quiet over a holiday - but the opposite seems to be the case. So we compiled all the big news items of the week, and shared some context about why we think these updates are meaningful. If you have tips for us on upcoming news, please keep reaching out!
Carrot launches a new metabolic fertility program
What’s been reported: The fertility platform Carrot is launching Sprint, a program to address metabolic issues, a growing cause of fertility challenges. Through interventions from habit-building lifestyle changes to prescription drugs (such as GLP-1, which the company calls a “fertility-supporting” medication), these should be adopted three to 12 months ahead of pregnancy. Carrot said it aims to target conditions such as obesity, which is known to have an impact on fertility.
What Carrot said: The app is promoting the program as a cost-saving opportunity for plan sponsors, claiming it could save up to $30,000 in IVF costs, either by reducing the number of cycles or eliminating the need for expensive interventions. Sprint will be available to existing Carrot customers starting in November 2025.
One question: It will be interesting to see how much of this becomes just another road leading to a GLP-1 prescription for patients, especially with the rise of so-called “Ozempic babies.” Physicians are reporting that patients who have struggled for years with getting pregnant, suddenly find they’re able to do so after taking the medication. It’s also worth noting that there’s still a dearth of evidence surrounding the use of GLP-1s during pregnancy, as opposed to in the preconception phase.
Expert POV: Cofertility cofounder and angel investor Halle Tecco notes it’s a “smart move” to treat fertility as a whole-body issue. “Employers want to support their employees in family planning, but IVF is prohibitively expensive for most of them,” she explained. Since metabolic health can significantly impact ovarian function, she agreed there’s the potential to improve outcomes and lower costs. Tecco noted that research shows up to one-third of women conceive without assistance after undergoing IVF, suggesting that for some, the treatment may not have been medically necessary. Tecco described this move ultimately as a “win” for both patients and payers.
Leslie Schrock, author of the book Fertility Rules and our own women’s health editor, agrees, sharing: “holistic fertility programs that take into account health beyond the ovaries have the potential to speed up timelines, and make the experience far less painful for patients.”