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With the increasing rates of obesity affecting millions of women in the U.S., it’s no surprise many turn to Ozempic to solve their weight woes. However, the growing concern about Ozempic side effects in females is causing unnecessary anxiety among users. Are the risks worth the benefits? Explore how Ozempic affects women, its potential short- and long-term side effects, and tips for managing the adverse reactions.

Key Takeaways

  • Ozempic may cause hormonal imbalance since fat cells store and process sex hormones, including estrogen.
  • Short-term side effects of Ozempic in women include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort.
  • Long-term health risks include hypoglycemia, acute kidney injury, gallbladder disease, lung aspiration, severe allergic reactions, and severe stomach discomfort.
  • Rapid weight loss due to Ozempic use can cause physical side effects, including Ozempic face, Ozempic breasts, and Ozempic butt.
  • Side effects are manageable with a balanced diet, proper hydration, and taking the lowest drug dose.

Impact of Ozempic on Women

There’s an undeniable link between Ozempic and hormones. It supports the pancreas to make more insulin, a hormone that controls sugar levels in the blood. This antidiabetic drug influences various functions to preserve the balance between multiple biochemicals in the body.

Ozempic also boosts the levels of incretins in the gut. These hormones help the pancreas produce more insulin. At the same time, incretins regulate the amount of glucose the liver makes.

Taking Ozempic, a drug that enhances insulin sensitivity, may also indirectly affect your estrogen levels and overall hormonal balance.

Does Ozempic Affect Estrogen?

There isn’t enough evidence to determine whether Ozempic lowers or increases estrogen levels. However, it’s a fact that the adipose tissue — or body fat — stores and processes sex hormones, including estrogen. In fact, your fat cells are the main source of estrogen.

Ozempic is known to cause rapid weight loss. That said, losing fat tissue, which stores estrogen, may reduce estrogen levels.

Can Ozempic Cause Problems in Women?

Yes, Ozempic can cause health issues in women. For instance, the FDA warned about the use of semaglutide — Ozempic’s active ingredient — in pregnant women. One reason is the potential risk of drug-associated developmental problems in the fetus, which scientists have observed in animal reproduction studies.

For women who develop diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes), taking Ozempic is contraindicated and not recommended. For non-pregnant women, Ozempic can disrupt the normal digestion process and make it challenging for their bodies to absorb nutrients. They may also lose their appetite and experience swallowing problems and heartburn.

Overall, doctors must weigh the pros and cons before prescribing Ozempic to women patients. Doing so mitigates the potential side effects related to drug use.

Short-term Side Effects of Ozempic in Women

Even OTC painkillers can have drawbacks. The same applies to Ozempic, although the severity of the symptoms varies from person to person. If you take this medication for Type 2 diabetes or off-label purposes, expect these side effects.

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Constipation

Nausea is the commonly reported side effect of Ozempic. Throwing up and gastrointestinal reactions, such as diarrhea, may also occur.

“You take this injection, and your appetite drops. You don’t feel as hungry, but you can feel nauseous, throw up, or not want to eat, and people stop using it because of these side effects.”

Does Ozempic Affect Your Period?

There’s no conclusive proof that Ozempic affects estrogen levels or menstrual cycle, though fat cells do store and process estrogen. Sudden weight loss due to Ozempic may lead to lower estrogen levels.

Estrogen is one of the essential hormones that regulate menstrual cycles. If there’s not enough in circulation, a possible outcome is irregular periods.

Interestingly, Ozempic may benefit women with dysmenorrhea. In a case report, one woman reported improvement in dysmenorrhea after taking semaglutide. Her pain decreased considerably without any substantial side effects, except for the temporary loss of appetite. Researchers believe semaglutide possesses anti-estrogenic and anti-inflammatory properties to reduce abdominal cramps, vomiting, and nausea associated with painful periods.

Long-Term Side Effects of Ozempic in Women

Doctor setting at a desk with Pancreas Model - Ozempic Side Effects in Females

Ozempic use may also trigger or elevate the risk of serious conditions, such as:

  • Inflamed pancreas
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
  • Severe stomach problems
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Vision issues
  • Kidney damage
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Pulmonary aspiration

Using Ozempic may be risky for people with pre-existing illnesses that can increase their tendency to develop these serious conditions.

What Does Ozempic Do to Your Organs?

Here are different ways taking Ozempic may affect your organs.

Pancreas

Ozempic may increase the risk of acute pancreatitis or inflammation in the pancreas by irritating or overstimulating the organ.

Thyroid

In animal studies, lifetime intake of semaglutide caused thyroid tumors. It’s uncertain whether the same risks apply to humans.

Eye

The sudden improvement in glucose control may lead to temporary vision loss in patients taking Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes already impairs vision, but it could worsen with Ozempic use.

Kidney

One of the serious risks of Ozempic is acute kidney injury. Ozempic can cause vomiting and diarrhea, which may lead to dehydration. Kidneys can’t function normally if fluid levels drop below a healthy limit. In some cases, it may result in kidney damage.

Stomach 

Patients may experience severe gastrointestinal reactions, leading to stomach pain or diarrhea. Ozempic isn’t recommended for people with severe gastroparesis.

Gallbladder 

Ozempic carries health risks that include gallbladder disease. This drug may raise your risk of gallstones (cholelithiasis) and gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis). In a study, 1.5% of patients treated with a 0.5 mg dose of Ozempic developed gallstones.

Heart and Blood Vessels

On the positive side, taking Ozempic may lower your risk of heart disease by reducing weight. Obesity is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Liver

Semaglutide may also improve non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In a review, 24 weeks of semaglutide treatment had improved liver enzymes and overall metabolism and reduced liver stiffness in people with NAFLD.

If you think taking Ozempic can help you, talk to your doctor. They can provide strategies to curtail adverse health outcomes with this drug.

Ozempic Weight Loss Physical Side Effects

Person standing on scale holding an Ozempic pen

Besides your internal organs, Ozempic can have physical side effects that include the following:

Ozempic Face

The rapid weight loss can cause facial sagging. You may notice your features sink, making you look older. Moreover, your skin droops. Folds, wrinkles, and other facial imperfections become more defined.

Ozempic Breasts

Similarly, breasts sag when they lose volume due to the sudden weight loss. The breasts are composed of fatty tissues. With them gone, you may notice loose skin and tenderness in the breasts.

Ozempic Butt

One of the prevalent side effects of Ozempic for weight loss is the sagging of the buttocks, which may affect your self-esteem. Your backside may flatten due to the rapid drop in weight.

A better approach is to lose weight slowly, allowing your skin time to adjust to your new body size. To achieve slow and steady weight loss, you can stay at a lower Ozempic dosage.

So, is Ozempic dangerous because of these physical health risks? Not exactly. Ozempic is an effective medication for chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity. Health scientists continue to discover potential uses for it, such as delaying cognitive loss in people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Ozempic is generally safe to use when prescribed by your doctor and obtained from legitimate sources.

How Long Do Ozempic Side Effects Last?

Ozempic side effects may last for a few weeks to several months, depending on your body’s response to the drug. Most often, adverse effects are manageable.

In one study involving 85 patients who took semaglutide, 36.6% reported nausea and vomiting, 8.6% had diarrhea, and 6.3% experienced fatigue. Only five patients discontinued the medication because of intolerable adverse reactions.

The negative side effects of Ozempic can vary in severity. Ask your doctor for advice on the best strategies to address them, especially if they start to impact your day-to-day activities.

Tips to Minimize Ozempic Side Effects in Women 

Here are a few tips to help relieve any discomfort caused by using Ozempic for treating diabetes or obesity.

  • Start with a Low Dose

    Your body requires time to adjust to the drug and determine your resistance to the side effects. Starting with the lowest 0.5 mg dose is the best and safest way.

  • Eat a Balanced Diet

    When on this medication, it’s essential to be mindful of your diet. Why? Some foods, like high-fat and ultra-processed ones, can worsen gastrointestinal discomfort. Other Ozempic foods to avoid are cheese, butter, and sugary beverages. Meanwhile, foods you should eat more must contain high fiber, protein, and healthy fats. They can aid digestion.

  • Drink More Water

    Side effects like diarrhea or vomiting can lead to significant fluid loss. Ensure your fluid levels remain within a healthy range. Replenish by drinking more water or nutritious juices. Skip caffeine as it has a diuretic effect.

  • Soothe Gastrointestinal Discomforts Naturally

    If you feel nauseous, avoid reaching out for an OTC pill. Instead, learn natural remedies to manage the side effects. You can try herbal tea, like ginger and peppermint, to improve the symptoms.

  • Monitor Hormonal Changes

    Although rare, you may experience hormonal imbalances affecting your menstrual cycles. Track your period and discuss any irregularities with your doctor.

Manage Ozempic Side Effects in Females

Ozempic may cause unpleasant side effects in women, but its benefits often outweigh the drawbacks. It’s an effective drug for diabetes and obesity. Often, adverse symptoms are manageable. For those few people who may experience severe signs, doctors may advise them to stop the medication or stay at the lowest dose.

Ozempic side effects may last for a short or long time. Patients with underlying illnesses must disclose their medical history to their doctors to curb potential complications.

If your doctor approves you to use Ozempic, monitor the side effects, not just the benefits. By doing this, you can stay in control of your health.

Original Publish Date: 09/24/2024 – Updated 3/26/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Some Ozempic side effects that pose substantial health risks are hypoglycemia, acute gallbladder disease, acute kidney injury, vision loss associated with diabetes, and pulmonary aspiration. Make sure you talk to your doctor about how likely you are to experience these effects.

A widely cited side effect of Ozempic is nausea. In one study, 36.6% reported experiencing this symptom, including vomiting. Use home remedies to treat nausea, such as ginger or peppermint tea and aromatherapy.

Misuse and abuse of any drug, including Ozempic, may cause serious health risks that may result in fatality. In 2024, Novo Nordisk — the manufacturer of Ozempic — appealed to the FDA to ban compounding pharmacies from customizing and producing their own versions of Ozempic and Wegovy for patients. The FDA has recorded 10 deaths associated with compounded semaglutide. The company has also been involved in lawsuits, primarily due to off-label promotion of the drug. That said, it’s best to stay on the safe side by following your doctor’s advice. Avoid making medical decisions on your own.

Ozempic may cause side effects that could negatively impact your health. While these are often tolerable, a small percentage of users may experience severe reactions. Discussing these with your doctor ensures you’re well-informed before making a decision to use it.

Yes. Fatigue is one of its common side effects. If you take it, you may feel more tired than usual. Getting enough rest can remedy this problem.

Yes. You may feel lightheaded as a result of dehydration. If this happens, drink more water, sit or lie down, and avoid abrupt movements.

Ozempic is FDA-approved for treating individuals with Type 2 diabetes. However, doctors may prescribe it off-label for obesity and other conditions. It’s not necessarily dangerous for people without diabetes but expect some minor, moderate, or severe side effects.

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Kenneth Fill, PharmD, MBA

Kenneth Fill, PharmD, MBA, is a clinical pharmacist specialist and medical writer with a strong background in ambulatory care, pharmacogenomics, and medical content development. Based in the state of Michigan, he provides expert guidance on chronic disease state management. Kenneth completed his PharmD and MBA at the University of Toledo and pursued post-graduate residency training in ambulatory care and community-based pharmacy. His diverse background also includes academic detailing, clinical education, and interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance patient outcomes.