Does Wegovy affect your period?

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably heard of Wegovy for weight loss. Maybe you also know that some women are on Wegovy for PCOS, an off-label use of the medication. So, does Wegovy affect your period? The answer isn’t straightforward. There’s no evidence that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, has a direct effect on the menstrual cycle. However, losing weight can mess with your period. So you might notice cycle changes while on this weight loss medication.

Keep reading to learn more about how Wegovy can impact your period — plus, what to do if you experience menstrual changes while on Wegovy.

Wegovy can affect your period — indirectly. Research on the topic is limited, but there is no evidence that Wegovy causes changes to the menstrual cycle. Irregular periods are also not a side effect of Wegovy, according to the drug’s prescribing information.

That said, a significant change in body weight can affect your period. So, you’re not alone if you’ve noticed irregular cycles since starting this GLP-1. 

Period changes on Wegovy are likely an effect of weight loss rather than the medication itself, says Supriya Rao, MD, a quadruple board-certified physician in internal medicine, gastroenterology, obesity medicine, and lifestyle medicine and clinical assistant professor at Tufts University School of Medicine.

Get started

Can Wegovy mess with your period? There’s no evidence that Wegovy itself can, but the weight loss caused by Wegovy can absolutely impact your menstrual cycle. 

“Changes in weight and body fat can sometimes affect estrogen and other reproductive hormones,” Dr. Rao says. In other words, if your weight loss is significant enough to impact the hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle, your cycle might also change.

Remember, there’s no guarantee that Wegovy will affect your period. But here are some ways losing weight with Wegovy might impact your cycle.

More regular periods

Wait, didn’t we just say Wegovy can cause irregular periods in some people? Yes, but that doesn’t mean the opposite isn’t possible as well. 

If you struggle with irregular periods, you might experience more predictable, stable menstrual cycles after losing weight on Wegovy. Research shows a clear connection between obesity and irregular periods throughout adolescence and adulthood. 

The same goes for people with PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome. A recent small study of women with PCOS and obesity found that three months of low-dose semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) led to weight loss and more regular periods in about 80% of participants. However, the researchers did not tease out whether the stabilized menstrual periods were an effect of the drug or the weight loss. 

Missed period

Dr. Rao says some female patients report missed periods on Wegovy. This is likely due to rapid, significant weight loss.

Research shows that short-term weight loss of 10%--15% of a person’s body weight can cause skipped or missed periods (aka amenorrhea). So while amenorrhea isn’t a side effect of Wegovy, anyone who rapidly loses a lot of weight on the drug might experience it. 

Lighter periods

If you have obesity or overweight and are one of the 10% of women inconvenienced by very heavy periods each month, there’s good news: Losing weight on Wegovy might help. 

Again, there is no scientific data that proves Wegovy directly impacts the menstrual cycle. However, research shows a clear link between obesity and heavy periods. (FYI, heavy menstruation is defined as flow that requires changing pads or tampons every one to two hours.) In theory, if your heavy periods have been caused or exacerbated by obesity, reducing your body weight with the help of Wegovy might also lighten your flow.

Shorter periods

Heavy periods aren’t only defined by how much you bleed in a day. Your period is also considered heavy if it tends to last longer than one week. So again, if you have heavy periods that are caused by obesity or overweight, losing weight on Wegovy might help shorten your flow to the average 3–7 days. 

Potentially improved PMS

About 90% of menstruating people experience premenstrual (PMS) symptoms like bloating, muscle cramping, breast tenderness, mood swings, and sleep problems. There’s no proof that Wegovy relieves PMS, but science suggests that people with obesity or overweight might experience improved symptoms by losing weight.  

Specifically,a 2010 study of 1,057 women found a strong link between PMS risk and high body mass index (BMI). Even after accounting for other factors like age and physical activity, women with a BMI of 27 or more had “significantly higher risks of PMS” than women with a BMI of 20 or less. So, in theory, reducing your BMI — such as through weight loss on Wegovy — may lower your risk of PMS.

Find out how much you could lose

Provide your biometric data to get started.

HeightFeet

HeightInches

Weightlbs

Calculate

0.0

Your BMI

Underweight

< 18.5

Healthy weight

18.5 - 24.9

Overweight

24.9 - 29.9

Obesity

> 30

Improved fertility

There is no evidence that Wegovy itself can improve your ability to get pregnant. However, even modest weight loss (~5% of body weight) has been associated with improved fertility. Plus, it’s worth noting that there is a link between obesity and infertility. Meaning, people with obesity are often more likely to have trouble getting or staying pregnant than those without the condition.

It’s important to understand that fertility is complicated. Weight is not the only factor at play. Lifestyle aspects like age, nutrition, and exercise also affect fertility. Still, weight loss can help people with obesity or overweight improve their chances of conception and carrying a healthy pregnancy. 

Bottom line: Weight loss caused by Wegovy (but not Wegovy alone) can improve fertility, PMS, and irregular periods, but it can also cause missed periods.

Yes, Wegovy can affect your hormones, though it only directly affects insulin. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, helps the body release insulin, an essential hormone for blood sugar regulation. 

Weight loss caused by Wegovy can also “shift the balance” of estrogen and other reproductive hormones, improving overall hormone health, Dr. Rao says. 

Research also shows that a healthy BMI can help regulate estrogen.

Menstrual cycle changes on Wegovy are not always cause for concern. Sometimes they can be positive, such as when a person with obesity or PCOS notices more regular periods after losing weight. Plus, changes like missed periods tend to be temporary. 

“Cycles can normalize again once the body adjusts or reaches a stable weight,” Dr. Rao says.

However, if you notice repeated mid-cycle spotting, missed periods, or a significantly heavier or lighter flow on Wegovy, you should consult a healthcare provider. Significant menstrual cycle changes can also indicate an underlying health condition, such as PCOS or hormone imbalance. 

“It’s always a good idea to track your cycle,” Dr. Rao says. “If you notice changes, be sure to tell your provider. Often, nothing needs to be done right away.”

 Finally, remember that pregnancy is one of the most common causes of a missed period. If you’re sexually active and there’s a chance you might be pregnant, don’t hesitate to take a pregnancy test. It’s important to rule this out because you shouldn’t take Wegovy while pregnant. 

See weight loss results sooner

Get started

Wegovy doesn’t contain any hormones that would directly impact your flow. But some women have reported menstrual changes while on this weight loss medication. So, can Wegovy affect your period? It’s possible — but only indirectly. Let’s recap:

• Period changes aren’t a known side effect of Wegovy. Common side effects include gastrointestinal issues like nausea and constipation, not menstrual cycle changes.

• Weight loss can mess with your period. Research shows that weight loss can cause menstrual cycle changes, including more regular periods, missed periods, spotting, improved fertility, and more.

• People with PCOS might notice more regular cycles. Early research suggests that Wegovy may help people with PCOS lose weight and, in turn, regulate their cycles.

• Don’t hesitate to report changes to your provider. While weight loss as a result of Wegovy can affect your period, missed periods and mid-cycle spotting can also be signs of other issues (e.g. PCOS or hormone imbalance).