Ozempic is a medicine that doctors usually prescribe for patients managing type 2 diabetes, which is a condition where the body struggles to manage its sugar levels.
Some people have asked whether taking Ozempic can mess with a woman’s cycle. The menstrual cycle is a monthly event where a woman’s body gets ready for the possibility of a baby.
If something like a medicine changes this, it’s very important to understand how and why. This article will take a closer look at what science says about this medicine and menstrual cycle.
We will go through what doctors, researchers, and patients have shared, in a way that’s easy to follow.
Does ozempic mess with your periods?
It is important to note that while Ozempic is not specifically designed to affect the menstrual cycle, some individuals may experience changes in their periods while taking the medication.
Some people say it changed their periods. They’ve had changes like irregular periods, heavier or lighter than usual flows, or even bleeding between their cycles.
What usually happens is that, this drug, when taken for longer periods will cause you to lose weight. And the medium term of shedding off some pounds will rather mess your menstrual cycle.
However, when your weight stabilizes, your cycle goes back to normalcy. Ozempic messing up your periods won’t cause any serious effect on your health, and it won’t affect your fertility or conception levels too.
If noticing changes to your periods while taking Ozempic gets you scared and overly worried, go ahead and discuss with your doctor.
What if you get pregnant on ozempic?
If you get pregnant while taking Ozempic, it’s really important to discontinue use immediately. There are certainly some risks if this medicine is used during pregnancy.
In fact, research done on animals suggests that it might increase the chances of losing a pregnancy or having a baby with birth defects.
That’s why we generally recommend women to stop taking it at least 2 months before they try to get pregnant. We also suggest using birth control to avoid getting pregnant accidentally while using this medicine.
Can diabetes medicine in general affect your period?
Yes, diabetes medicine can potentially affect your menstrual cycle. This impact often comes from the overall influence of diabetes on the body, rather than from the medication. A rise in blood sugar levels which usually accompany diabetes, can trigger irregular periods.
In few cases, diabetes medications might cause hormonal changes in women and will also go a long way to affect their menstrual cycles.
To deal with this, I particularly advice my patients to closely monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust insulin dosage as necessary.
Note that if you experience any unusual changes in your cycle while on diabetes medication, be sure to chat your doctor.
Missed period on ozempic: what do I do?
If you’re on Ozempic and have missed a period, it could be due to different reasons. One possibility is that the medicine itself is causing changes in your period – just as explained above.
Ozempic can cause changes in your menstrual cycle for its ability to stimulate weight loss. This could mean lighter periods, heavier periods, or even no period at all.
Another potential reason could be pregnancy. Even if you have been careful, no birth control method is 100% effective, and Ozempic is not a contraceptive.
If you are sexually active and you miss a period, it could mean that you are pregnant. So, what should you do?
- Don’t Panic! Stress could also cause your periods to be late.
- Take a Pregnancy Test. If there’s a chance you could be pregnant, take a test to be sure.
- Get in Touch with Your Doctor: If the pregnancy test is negative and your period still doesn’t come, you should contact your doctor. They might want to adjust your medication or check to see if something else is causing your missed period.
FAQs – Does Ozempic Affect Menstrual Cycle?
Yes, it can cause changes in your menstrual cycle, including heavier periods
Yes, it can potentially cause a delay or changes in your menstrual cycle, including missed periods.
Ozempic works by mimicking a hormone in your body called GLP-1, which helps to regulate blood sugar levels.
It does not known for directly interfering with other hormones, but it can have effects on your body functions like digestion and menstrual cycle
Ozempic is not known to directly affect fertility. However, significant changes in weight, which can happen with its use might affect fertility.
Also it’s not recommended to continue its usage if you are planning to get pregnant
Conclusion
To wrap things up, Ozempic can affect your menstrual cycle. Your periods might get lighter or heavier. Some women might even stop having them at all.
But even if that gets you scared or tensed, know that these changes can be a normal part of your body getting used to the medicine. What’s important is to talk to your doctor about any weird and unusual symptom.
References:
National Institutes Of Health (Results – Clinical Review Report: Semaglutide- Ozempic)
