Wegovy and Periods: What Real Women Are Experiencing
As more people in the UK begin taking Wegovy (semaglutide) for weight loss, a surprising side effect is sparking widespread discussion: changes to the menstrual cycle. While the official prescribing information focuses on nausea, diarrhoea, and gastrointestinal upset, countless women are sharing a very different experience online.
From missed or delayed periods, to weeks of heavy bleeding with clots, to the return of cycles after years away, users on Reddit are raising questions about how this powerful GLP-1 medication is interacting with their hormones. For some, Wegovy has stabilised previously unpredictable cycles. For others, it has brought pain, migraines, and constant bleeding that disrupts daily life.
This article draws on dozens of candid conversations from women taking Wegovy. It is not medical advice, but it offers a valuable look into real-world experiences - the ones often left out of clinical trial summaries.
Missed and Delayed Periods
One of the most common threads among Wegovy users is the sudden absence or delay of their periods. Some describe waiting weeks beyond their normal cycle, only to have menstruation arrive in full force later.
"My period is nowhere to be found… 11 days late. Preg test negative. On BC pill." –u/TownTechnical7785
"My first cycle after Wegovy was 22 days late. Then this second one after upping dose to 1mg was early, but heavier and smelling than usual." –u/TownTechnical7785
Others report going months without a cycle after starting the drug, before their periods eventually returned.
"I lost my period for about 3 months after I got on 1.0 dose. It came back though." –u/Lacy_Laplante89
"Yes I didn’t have a period for the first 4 months of being on Wegovy. My PCP said it was due to changes my body was going through but nothing to worry about." –u/Grouchy_Strength_728
For some women, this unpredictability creates anxiety. A missed period often triggers fears of pregnancy, even with negative tests. The stop-start rhythm has also left many wondering whether the drug is temporarily scrambling their hormonal signalling.
Heavier, Longer, and More Painful Periods
If some users are dealing with silence, others describe a flood. Reports of prolonged, heavy, and painful periods are strikingly common across Reddit discussions.
"When it did return it went for almost 10 days in full force!" –u/marandawilliams
"I had 2 really bad migraines and nausea/vomiting… once my period started, all hell broke loose." –u/kelpeytelpey
"Each month now on Wegovy I’ve had excruciating pain and each month is worse than the last." –u/Kindly-Pipe7009
"This is currently my third cycle while on Wegovy and I’ve noticed a drastic increase in pain and heavier flow with much larger clots." –u/Pristine-Fusion6591
"Omg yes I agree I’m also having heavier flow periods and the clots are way much bigger… I’ve never bled this much before in my life." –u/Few_External4670
For some, the bleeding becomes relentless:
"I’ve been on Wegovy for 3.5 months. Around 1.5 months in, I started getting longer and heavier (lots of clots) periods. I’m currently on week 3 and exhausted from the bleeding." –u/PracticalBarber4153
"Since I started Wegovy, I’ve had a period every 2 weeks, for about 2 weeks… I’ll be on just one constant period soon at this rate." –u/AshwinderOne
A handful of women even report anaemia and medical procedures as a result of persistent bleeding.
Periods Returning After Years Away
Not every story is negative. For women with PCOS, perimenopause, or those who have gone years without menstruation, Wegovy has sometimes restarted cycles - raising both relief and new worries.
"I haven’t seen a period in a couple years. After starting Wegovy I’m spotting again." –u/Own_Lychee_2243
"I had ablation 5 years ago and no periods after. Started Wegovy last May and by late fall my periods came back." –u/Inevitable-Stable619
"Soon after my second dose, my hot flashes went away completely… two weeks later, I had a period again. My OB said they’re getting a lot of reports of Wegovy messing with women’s hormones." –u/gator_luck22
"Yes! I also have PCOS – I haven’t had a normal period in around 4 years and this month is my second month in a row getting it on time." –u/amante-dellarte
"Two years into menopause and spotting again. Currently down 24 lbs on Wegovy." –u/DefinitionOk6584
For women trying to conceive, this potential restoration of fertility may be welcome. But for others - especially those in midlife or who believed their cycles were behind them - it can be deeply unsettling.
Shorter, More Frequent, and Irregular Cycles
Between the extremes of no periods and constant bleeding lies another category: irregular timing. Some users describe having two cycles a month, or bleeding that lasts far longer than usual.
"Yeah I was almost two weeks late then it just randomly showed up. For the most part bleeding has been light but cramps EXTREMEEE." –u/CoolerthanAFan1210
"I’m getting my period every 2 weeks now. This is nuts." –u/BorntoDance417
"I’ve had my period for a month straight on Wegovy, sometimes spotting, sometimes heavy." –u/Mysterious_Log3466
"Wegovy has dramatically shortened my cycle; I’m normally every 28 days, but now my period arrives a week early." –u/jmfhokie
This unpredictability leaves many users frustrated and worried, unsure whether their bodies will ever stabilise.
PMS, Hunger, and Cravings
Beyond cycle timing and flow, many women say premenstrual symptoms feel stronger on Wegovy. The drug’s well-known appetite suppression sometimes seems to lose its grip around cycle time.
"Yes! I get more hungry and have more cravings the week before my period. I do eat takeout and gain a kilo, but it goes back down." –u/LegitimateHat5570
"Omg PMS is WORSE. I gained 5 lbs and couldn’t stop snacking." –u/Lucky-Regret-2343
"It’s not my period but ovulation – cravings hit me like a truck." –u/valsavana
"Period week is a free for all. I like to keep healthy sweets on hand because cravings are stronger than the medication." –u/kaitlynthemidg
"Period hunger is stronger than anything Wegovy comes up against." –u/ForaFortnight22
For women who began Wegovy to gain control over appetite and "food noise," this return of intense cravings can feel like a step backward - even if only temporary.
Why Might This Be Happening?
Women themselves are offering plenty of theories, many of which echo what clinicians suspect:
- Weight loss and oestrogen release: Fat tissue stores oestrogen. As weight drops, hormones are released into circulation, potentially disrupting cycles.
- Improved insulin sensitivity: Particularly in women with PCOS, GLP-1 drugs can rebalance cycles by improving insulin resistance.
- Hormone signalling: Some users speculate GLP-1 pathways themselves may influence reproductive hormones.
- Interactions with contraception: Breakthrough bleeding and spotting are common in women taking both Wegovy and birth control.
One woman summarised it bluntly:
"I don’t think you would lose a period due to throwing up. But weight loss does mess with your hormones due to estrogen being stored in your body fat. When you lose weight it can change everything." –u/InnerButterflyy
Coping Strategies Shared by the Community
With few formal studies available, women have turned to each other for practical solutions.
- Track your cycles closely: Many recommend keeping a journal to spot patterns.
- Iron supplements: Several found relief from anaemia symptoms by boosting iron intake.
- Work with a gynaecologist: Especially for bleeding lasting more than a week, or pain that interferes with daily life.
- Adjusting birth control: Some experiment with contraceptives under medical supervision to regain stability.
- Community reassurance: Many say that simply reading others’ experiences helped reduce their worry.
"Update: I looked into my symptoms and some of it could be due to anaemia. Took an iron supplement and I’m feeling better." –u/kelpeytelpey
"You should definitely speak to your gynaecologist. Get hormone levels, CBC and iron profile. You may need iron supplementation." –u/NewJourney_24
"I ended up anaemic after months of constant bleeding. I had an ablation done and I’m scared Wegovy might undo it." –u/Smooth-Advance6175
When to Seek Medical Advice
While some menstrual changes may be temporary, there are clear red flags that call for professional support:
- Bleeding that lasts longer than 7–10 days.
- Large clots or sudden heavy flow.
- Severe pain or migraines with every cycle.
- Signs of anaemia: dizziness, fatigue, paleness.
- Postmenopausal bleeding returning.
Expert Perspective
To better understand these patterns, we asked Alessandro Grenci, Superintendent Pharmacist at Medino, for his view.
"We are hearing more patients report menstrual changes while on semaglutide medicines like Wegovy. In many cases, weight loss itself - rather than the medicine directly - can shift hormone balance and alter cycles. My advice is that any persistent change, especially heavy bleeding or cycles that restart after menopause, should always be checked with a GP or gynaecologist. It’s important not to dismiss these symptoms, because while they are often harmless, they can sometimes point to other underlying issues."
Conclusion: Not Just a Side Effect, But a Shared Experience
Wegovy is transforming lives through weight loss, but for women, it is also reshaping something deeply personal: the menstrual cycle. Some have found new regularity, fertility, or relief from perimenopausal symptoms. Others face relentless bleeding, stronger cramps, or unpredictable cycles that impact their daily wellbeing.
What unites these stories is the reminder that weight loss drugs don’t just act on appetite or the stomach. They ripple through the body, touching hormone systems and reproductive health in ways science is only beginning to study.
For now, women are leading the way in documenting these effects - sharing candid accounts that help others prepare, cope, and seek support when needed. Whether your period disappears, doubles, or restarts after years away, one thing is certain: you’re not alone in experiencing change on Wegovy.
