Does Ozempic affect your period?

At this point, most people know that Ozempic (semaglutide), a diabetes medication, can cause significant weight loss. But does Ozempic affect your period? There’s no scientific proof that Ozempic directly impacts the menstrual cycle. However, weight loss from Ozempic might.

Here’s what you need to know about how Ozempic can indirectly mess with your period, plus what to do about it.

Ozempic can affect your period — indirectly. 

Research on this topic is limited. But no clinical trial data suggest that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, causes changes in the menstrual cycle. Irregular periods are also not officially listed as a side effect of Ozempic, according to the drug’s prescribing information.

So what explains the rumors that have people asking questions like “Does Ozempic mess with your period?” or “Does Ozempic cause spotting?” The answer: Body weight reduction.

Research shows that significant weight loss can affect your period — and Ozempic is known to cause substantial weight loss. 

Here are some ways losing weight on Ozempic might impact your menstrual cycle.

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Lighter periods

Yes, Ozempic may actually lighten heavy periods, aka flow that requires changing pads or tampons every one to two hours.

Why this may happen: Science shows a link between obesity and heavy menstrual bleeding. So if you have obesity and heavy periods, losing weight on Ozempic might result in a lighter flow.

What to do about it: If your flow becomes much lighter than usual or you’re unsure what’s normal for you, check in with your healthcare provider. They can help rule out other causes and make sure everything is on track.

Skipped period

Some people may experience skipped periods while losing weight on Ozempic.

Why this may happen: Fast, significant weight can cause missed periods, known as amenorrhea.

What you can do about it: There are many potential causes of a missed period, including pregnancy. So your first step is to take a pregnancy test.  If it’s negative and you continue missing periods, set up an appointment with your OB-GYN and talk to your healthcare provider to see if you need to reduce your dose of Ozempic.

Shorter periods

Heavy periods aren’t just about soaking through pads or tampons quickly. They are also defined as bleeding that lasts more than seven days. Losing weight on Ozempic may help shorten your period if heavy or prolonged bleeding was related to obesity.

Why this may happen: If obesity was contributing to heavy or prolonged periods, weight loss from Ozempic may help shorten your flow.

What you can do about it: Normal periods typically last 3–7 days. So a shorter flow is not always a concern. If your period regularly lasts fewer than three days, it’s a good idea to let your healthcare provider know.

More regular periods

If you struggle with irregular periods, you might find that your flow becomes more predictable after losing weight on Ozempic. More regulated cycles after weight loss are even more likely if you have obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). 

Why this may happen: Obesity can disrupt hormone balance and interfere with regular ovulation. Losing weight can help regulate these hormones, which may lead to more predictable cycles, especially for people with obesity or PCOS.

What to do about it: No need to do anything! More regular cycles are generally a good sign for your overall health.

Potentially fewer PMS symptoms

There’s no evidence that Ozempic itself can relieve premenstrual (PMS) symptoms like cramps, bloating, breast tenderness, and mood swings (hello, irritability). But some people might experience improvements in PMS symptoms after losing weight.

Why this may happen: Research has established a link between PMS risk and a high body mass index (BMI) — 27 or more. So, in theory, reducing your BMI on Ozempic could lower your risk of experiencing PMS symptoms.

What to do about it: Nothing! If losing weight on Ozempic improves your PMS symptoms, enjoy the benefit.

Potentially improved fertility

First, it’s important to know that Ozempic is not a treatment for infertility. And fertility is a complex health marker that can be influenced by many things, including age, nutrition, and physical activity. 

But in some cases, Ozempic-induced weight loss might improve the ability to get or stay pregnant.

Why this may happen: A high BMI is one lifestyle factor that can make it harder to get pregnant. Given that, losing weight on Ozempic may help people with obesity (especially those who also have PCOS) improve their odds of conceiving naturally.

What you can do about it: It’s generally recommended to stop Ozempic at least two months before trying to conceive. And if you’re not trying to get pregnant, it’s important to use reliable birth control, especially if you previously thought you were infertile. Weight loss can improve ovulation, so your chances of becoming pregnant may be higher than before.

Bottom line: Ozempic itself won’t cause the above menstrual changes — but weight loss caused by Ozempic might.

Again, there’s no evidence to suggest a missed period on Ozempic is caused by the medication itself. But weight loss-related amenorrhea is a very real thing, and it can happen on Ozempic if you lose weight too quickly or lose more weight than what is healthy for your body. 

Take note if you start missing periods. Aside from weight loss, reasons for a missed period include:

• Pregnancy

• Not getting enough nutrients (such as vitamin D, calcium, zinc)

• Stress

• Hypothyroidism

• PCOS

• Perimenopause or menopause 

You know your body best. While skipped periods can be caused by Ozempic-related weight loss, they can also signal something else. 

Ultimately, don't hesitate to tell your healthcare provider if you start experiencing missed periods after starting Ozempic. They can decide if you may need to reduce your dose or if you need to get additional bloodwork to investigate other causes. 

Yes, Ozempic can affect hormones, but only certain ones.

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, directly affects the body’s release of  insulin, which is a hormone involved in blood sugar control. That’s the main hormone Ozempic affects.

Ozempic does not directly affect sex hormones like estrogen or progesterone. However, weight loss (caused by Ozempic or otherwise) can influence these hormones. 

Research shows that having a healthier BMI can help the body regulate estrogen levels more effectively. So if someone loses weight on Ozempic, their estrogen levels may shift as a result of the weight loss — not because Ozempic is acting on estrogen itself.

There’s no evidence that Ozempic can cause heavy periods. Research suggests that weight loss caused by Ozempic is more likely to lighten your flow if you already experience heavy periods linked to obesity. 

There’s no evidence that Ozempic directly affects your menstrual cycle. If your period changes after starting Ozempic, it’s more likely due to weight loss itself, since shifts in body weight can impact hormone balance. The same is true for any medication that causes significant weight loss.

If period changes are bothering you, talk to your prescriber about adjusting the dose or trying another option.

Alternatives to Ozempic include:

• Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

• Rybelsus (oral semaglutide)

• Trulicity (dulaglutide)

These medications aren’t known to directly disrupt periods either, though they can also lead to weight loss, which may contribute to menstrual changes.

Metformin is also a diabetes medication that may cause weight loss, but it belongs to a different drug class than Ozempic. Since metformin can be used off-label for PCOS, it might be a beneficial alternative to Ozempic if you also have a PCOS diagnosis. 

In all cases, switching medications requires a conversation with your healthcare provider.

Some Ozempic users report that starting the medication has impacted their menstrual cycles. But does Ozempic affect your period? It’s possible, though only indirectly.

• There's no direct connection between Ozempic and your period. There’s no scientific evidence that Ozempic directly affects your flow, and menstrual changes aren’t considered a known side effect of Ozempic.

• That being said, weight loss can affect your period in different ways. Research shows that significant weight loss can lead to changes such as lighter periods, missed periods, or even more regular cycles.

• It’s still a good idea to report all noticeable changes to your healthcare provider. Weight loss from Ozempic can affect your period, but missed periods and mid-cycle spotting can also indicate other issues, ranging from PCOS or hormone imbalance to malnutrition or pregnancy.