Key takeaways:
- 27% of respondents noticed changes to their menstrual cycle since starting GLP-1 medication for weight loss
- Respondents with PCOS were more likely to experience cycle changes, and 43% of this group reported noticing changes to their menstrual cycle
- The most commonly reported cycle changes were more predictable periods, more frequent periods, and shorter periods
GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) have traditionally been used to treat diabetes. They work by mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and appetite. However, in just the last few years, there’s been a steep increase in the use of these medications for weight loss. Despite this, there hasn’t yet been much research into their effect on the menstrual cycle, leaving many women wondering how this type of weight loss treatment may affect their cycle.
The analysis presented here investigates the self-reported effects of GLP-1 medication on the menstrual cycle. The results are based on survey responses from 1,754 Natural Cycles users who were currently taking or had previously used GLP-1 medication. The majority of respondents were from the US, with a smaller number from the UK and Sweden.
Most of the survey respondents (90%) had been prescribed GLP-1 medication for weight loss, while 24% said that the medication was prescribed to treat PCOS (respondents were allowed to select more than one answer here). Many users (593, 34%) reported a diagnosis of PCOS.
The results of the analysis showed that 27% of all respondents had noticed changes to their menstrual cycle since they started their GLP-1 treatment. Those with PCOS were even more likely to report cycle changes — 43% of this group had noticed changes to their cycles. The most common ones were:
- More predictable periods: 45% of all respondents and 64% of those with PCOS
- More frequent periods: 21% of all respondents and 23% of those with PCOS
- Shorter periods: 19% of all respondents and 20% of those with PCOS
When looking at these results, it’s worth noting that other factors can impact the menstrual cycle too, and it’s difficult to separate which cycle changes are specifically due to the GLP-1 medications. For example, most respondents lost weight during the course of their treatment — over half of them lost more than 10% of their initial body weight — which may lead to some cycle changes in itself.
Additionally, many made changes to their lifestyle while taking the medication: 66% started eating more healthy foods, 45% exercised more, 24% improved their sleep, and 20% improved their stress management.
In summary, the results of this analysis support that some individuals may experience changes to the menstrual cycle when taking GLP-1 medications for weight loss, specifically with periods becoming more predictable and frequent. Those with PCOS may be more likely to experience this type of cycle change, which is also in line with previous research where GLP-1 medications have shown some promise for improving menstrual cycle regularity in women with PCOS.
At Natural Cycles, we believe that everyone should have the knowledge they need to take charge of their own health. Understanding what to expect when starting a new medication, like GLP-1 medication for weight loss, is key to making informed health decisions.
Summarized by
Freya Eriksson