Does Ozempic Affect Your Period? Latest Science and Advice

Whether you’re taking Ozempic^® (semaglutide) for type 2 diabetes or off-label as a weight loss drug, you may notice a lot of changes in your body. And when it comes to your menstrual cycle, you might be wondering what to expect.

The short answer: We’re not entirely sure.

There’s not much research on Ozempic’s effect on periods overall. But research has shown that women with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may benefit from semaglutide. One small study found that about 80 percent of patients said their periods became more regular.

On the other hand, substantial weight loss — which Ozempic can cause — can also impact your period, causing menstrual irregularities.

Let’s dive into the science around weight loss, Ozempic, and menstrual cycles.

While Ozempic might mess with your period, the drug itself probably isn’t to blame. There aren’t many studies looking into Ozempic and periods directly, and menstrual cycle changes aren’t listed as a side effect.

So, what’s the deal? Ozempic might help you achieve substantial weight loss, and it’s the weight loss itself that can affect your period.

Here’s what we know so far.

Cycle Regularity 

Losing weight comes with many health benefits, but it may cause your periods to become irregular.

Research shows that weight changes — including weight loss or weight gain — are associated with irregular menstrual cycles among women who have obesity or abdominal obesity, which is obesity around the center of your body.

The more weight you lose, the more likely it is for your periods to become irregular.

Amenorrhea

Beyond menstrual irregularities, significant weight loss — think 10 percent or more of your body weight — can cause your periods to stop altogether. This is known as amenorrhea.

As Ozempic can cause significant weight loss, it’s possible the medication could trigger irregular periods or amenorrhea.

On the other hand, you might find your periods become more regular when you take Ozempic. This also has more to do with weight changes than the drug itself.

Specifically, research shows that women with obesity have at least twofold greater odds of having an irregular cycle compared to women without obesity. So, losing weight may help your periods become more regular.

That’s not all.

PCOS

A small 2023 study looked at the effects of semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic — on 27 women with obesity and PCOS. The women took a weekly 0.5-milligram semaglutide injection for three months.

Almost 80 percent of the women lost at least five percent of their body weight, and 80 percent of those women saw their menstrual cycle lengths normalize. 

It’s not just Ozempic. Studies on other glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists — the drug class Ozempic belongs to — have found they can help regularize periods in women with PCOS.

Check out our full guide to Ozempic and PCOS.

Flow

Anecdotally, some women have mentioned on social media that their periods have become heavier since they started taking GLP-1 medications. But heavier periods haven’t been reported as an official side effect in any Ozempic clinical trials.

As with cycle regularity, the pendulum swings both ways. It’s also possible your periods may become lighter on Ozempic.

Research shows that obesity can cause heavier periods. So you may find that if you’re losing weight on Ozempic, your periods become lighter and more manageable.

This is all speculation, though, and the effect of Ozempic on menstrual flow hasn’t been studied.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

There’s no evidence that Ozempic can affect PMS symptoms. Sensing a theme?

Specifically, PMS symptoms include:

• Tiredness

• Irritability

• Mood swings

• Cramps

• Breast tenderness

You might notice these symptoms before you start your period.

Research shows that the higher your body mass index (BMI), the higher your risk of PMS. So, again, losing weight on Ozempic could, theoretically, improve PMS symptoms in some people with obesity. But, again, there’s no scientific evidence to back up this theory.

Spotting

Spotting — light bleeding outside the period window — is never a welcome surprise.

Can Ozempic cause spotting? Probably not.

There isn’t any evidence that Ozempic can cause spotting. It isn’t listed as one of the common side effects of Ozempic, and it hasn’t been reported in clinical trials. But we can’t rule out the possibility completely.

Speak with a healthcare provider if you’re spotting to find out what might be causing it.

Spotting can be caused by things like:

• Stress

• Changes in hormone levels

• Inflammation

• Infections

• An underactive thyroid

Learn more about how Ozempic for weight loss works on our blog.

Fertility 

What about ovulation? It’s possible Ozempic could be a good thing for your reproductive health — but again, this has to do with weight loss, not the medication itself.

Research shows that obesity is linked to infertility, so moving toward a healthy weight with the help of Ozempic may improve your chances of getting pregnant.

Beyond this, women with PCOS often struggle to get pregnant. If Ozempic can help them lose weight, which, in turn, helps them have more regular periods, it might potentially increase fertility.

FYI, there are risks involved in using Ozempic when pregnant. Speak to your healthcare provider if you’re pregnant or planning on trying to conceive soon. They can recommend the best course of action for you.

We’ve covered whether you can take Ozempic while pregnant and Ozempic and fertility on our blog in more detail.

Had a missed period on Ozempic? Don’t panic.

It’s unclear whether Ozempic can make you miss a period. There isn’t any research showing it can have this effect, and it hasn’t been reported in clinical trials.

However, significant weight loss can cause periods to become irregular or stop altogether. As mentioned, research shows Ozempic can lead to significant weight loss.

The same goes for Wegovy^®. Wegovy^® also contains the active ingredient semaglutide, but it’s approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for those with obesity and overweight. Ozempic, on the other hand, is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss.

So, the drug itself probably isn’t making you miss a period, but associated weight loss could.

If you’ve missed a period, consider other potential causes, too, like an unexpected pregnancy. And reach out to a healthcare provider if you’re concerned.

It’s unclear if Ozempic can affect hormones related to your menstrual cycle. There aren’t any studies looking into whether the drug impacts hormones like estrogen or progesterone, and hormonal changes aren’t reported in clinical trials.

But losing weight can impact these hormones. And Ozempic affects other hormones in the body, like insulin and glucagon, which can lead to weight loss and improved blood sugar levels.

In addition to weight loss medication, you can get birth control online through Hers.

Ozempic and other semaglutide drugs, like Wegovy^®, affect hormones in the body, but does semaglutide affect your period? Unfortunately, we don’t have a solid answer on that yet.

Ozempic is still a relatively new drug, so there aren’t any studies looking into how it can affect menstruation. But from what we do know, there isn’t any evidence that Ozempic can cause changes to your period or menstrual cycle in general.

Does Ozempic mess with your period? Here’s a recap:

• More research is needed into Ozempic and periods. There aren’t any studies looking into semaglutide and menstrual cycles or period-related changes, so we can’t draw any solid conclusions on whether Ozmepic affects your period or not.

• Ozempic may not affect your period, but weight loss could. If you’re noticing fluctuations in your period — like a more irregular cycle, lighter flow, or perhaps no periods at all — this may be due to weight loss associated with Ozempic, not the medication itself.

• Ozempic may improve your periods. There’s no guarantee — and we’re just hypothesizing here — but excess weight and obesity are associated with heavier periods, PMS, and irregular periods. So, losing weight with Ozempic (or any other method) may improve your periods in the long run.

• Consult your provider. It can be scary to notice changes in your periods, so don’t be afraid to reach out to a healthcare professional to get checked out. They can let you know if the menstrual changes you’ve noticed are anything to worry about. 

If you’re looking into other treatments, Ozempic is one option, but it’s not the only one. Other drugs, like Wegovy^®, metformin, and topiramate, might help you on your weight loss journey. 

There are also drug-free lifestyle changes that can help you achieve your goals alongside medication, like eating nutritious foods, incorporating more movement into your routine, drinking more water, and getting enough sleep.

Hers offers access to a range of weight loss treatments, including injections and oral medications. As part of your treatment plan, you’ll also get a comprehensive doctor-backed weight loss program and 24/7 access to licensed providers to get any questions answered.

If you’re hoping to start your weight loss journey, take our free online assessment to learn more.