Does Semaglutide and Tirzepatide Affect Your Menstrual Cycle?

What Research Has Reported About the Effects of Semaglutide And Tirzepatide on the Menstrual Cycle

Many women would like to know if they begin using semaglutide or tirzepatide to help them lose weight, if it will affect their menstrual cycle, or if using these GLP-1 medications can cause blood clots. Several medical reviews and early studies show that improving insulin resistance and losing weight can actually make your periods more regular if you have PCOS, and that many women see their cycles get better and more regular, not worse, after starting these medicines. These medications are still relatively new, so there is not much long-term data on them yet, but semaglutide has been around for a longer time, so we do have some research findings to share:

1. One review on GLP‑1 medications reports that the evidence is limited on whether these drugs are linked to menstrual or fertility changes, but research is still ongoing.
2. The results of a survey that polled 1,754 women from the US, UK, and Sweden who were currently taking or had previously used GLP-1 medications showed that:
   • 45% of all those who responded said their periods had become more predictable, and this number jumped to 64% among women with PCOS.
   • 21% of those reporting and 23% of women with PCOS said they had more frequent periods than before starting treatment.
   • 19% to 20% of all the women who responded said their periods became shorter.
3. A study of obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who were treated for 6 months with a low dose of semaglutide reported that 80% of the women in the responsive group lost at least 5% of their body weight, and their menstrual cycles became normal.

Can Weight Loss Injections Affect Your Period?

There is very little actual data on how semaglutide or tirzepatide directly affects the menstrual cycle, and most studies that do exist are geared toward women suffering from obesity and PCOS, who, in most cases, are already dealing with irregular menstrual cycles.

The improvements that these women experienced regarding their menstrual cycle, like becoming lighter or more regular, are most likely due to a significant loss of weight and the difference this reduction had on their metabolism or their hormones, rather than a direct result of using semaglutide or tirzepatide medication.

Losing weight very quickly is known to cause changes to a woman’s menstrual cycle, such as missed periods or irregular cycles, even without any medication. Unfortunately, there have not been any large controlled studies on the topic of how GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide affect menstrual cycles in women who do not have PCOS, so we just do not have enough data to make a solid determination of the effects of GLP-1s on menstruation.

Can Semaglutide and Tirzepatide Cause Blood Clots?

Sometimes we are asked, “Can semaglutide and tirzepatide cause blood clots?” Currently, there is no clear evidence that Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound directly cause blood clots, and none of the large clinical trials or official drug labels list blood clots as a confirmed side effect for these medications. Common side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other more serious side effects like pancreatitis and thyroid C-cell tumors are included among the official documentation.

Some rare cases have linked the start of GLP-1 treatments to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot that develops in a deep vein, and doctors and researchers became concerned enough that they filed reports to open up a case study. These case reports cannot prove cause and effect, but they do document that some serious events have occurred while people were using these medications. It is yet to be confirmed whether it was the medication itself or the combination of rapid loss of weight, dehydration, lack of movement, or an existing underlying condition that may be more directly responsible for the clotting.

Research in this area is ongoing, and regulators and scientists are watching these reports closely. If you have a history of blood clots or are taking any medication that would raise your risk of developing a blood clot, it is important to share this information with your weight loss doctor so they can closely monitor your progress.

If you are using semaglutide or tirzepatide and experience signs like sudden leg swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath, you may be experiencing symptoms of a blood clot, and you should seek immediate medical assistance.

How Will I Know If Wegovy or Zepbound Are Affecting My Period?

As you have learned from this article, it will be tricky to pinpoint the root cause of any changes you may experience in your menstrual cycle during your weight loss journey. If you begin documenting your weight loss progress and any changes you notice that are occurring anywhere in your body from the very start, you may be able to spot patterns or determine when and why these changes occurred.

It can be just a simple log where you record the dates of your period, how heavy it is, and any unusual symptoms you are noticing after you start using the GLP-1 medication. You can also record lifestyle changes that you make, such as the foods you are eating, how much sleep you are getting, and how much water you drink each day. This way, if you do see major changes, you can share this log with your doctor so they can determine how to help you.

Why Is It so Hard to Find an Answer to “Does Semaglutide or Tirzepatide Mess With Your Period?”

It is very difficult to know the effect the medication is having, if any, on a woman’s menstrual cycle because there seems to be conflicting evidence. People are all very different, and for some women, GLP-1 medications may help them lose a significant amount of weight, which several medical reviews have reported can improve insulin resistance and can gradually normalize menstrual cycles, as well as improve symptoms associated with women’s reproductive conditions like PCOS and enhance fertility.

Other women may experience rapid weight loss or changes in their periods after starting semaglutide or tirzepatide, and surveys and small studies have reported that these women notice irregular timing, lighter or heavier flow, or skipped cycles after they begin using these medications. There have been enough of these reports that researchers and doctors are currently studying the link more closely.

The big question of whether tirzepatide and semaglutide can mess with your period or whether the changes in your cycle are a result of rapid weight loss, shifts in diet lifestyle, or due to improvements in conditions like PCOS is still under investigation. There is ongoing research on this subject, and currently, tirzepatide is involved in a study of women with PCOS to see if it helps to regulate their menstrual cycles.

Where Can I Find Tirzepatide and Semaglutide to Help With Weight Loss?

Dr. Angelina Postoev and her team of weight loss experts at MySlimMed can help determine if you are a good candidate for medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide and can also craft a weight loss plan that will help you reach your goals.

You will have access to expert guidance and the medical team, so you can get expedient answers to your questions and a quick response time if changes need to be made or your program adjusted.

Set up your consultation today to get started on your weight loss journey and your pathway to better health.

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