Ozempic, Hormones & You: What Women Need to Know About GLP-1 Drugs
Hi Mobsters, It’s Leah here, the founder and CEO of The House of Hormones. This week I want to talk to you about what women need to know about glp-1 drugs. As always i’d love to hear your thoughts and questions in the comments box. and if there’s a wellbeing subject you’d like to hear more about please get in touch!
Unless you’ve been on a social media detox, you’ve probably heard of Ozempic. Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, it’s now become a buzzword in weight loss circles, workplace wellness chats, and even among your mum-friends at the school gates. But what you might not hear enough about is how these so-called ‘miracle’ drugs actually interact with your hormones – and why that matters, especially if you’re in perimenopause, menopause or just generally feeling out of balance.
So, let’s unpack this, the THOH way – clear, no-nonsense, and grounded in science.
Ozempic, and similar medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro, belong to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. GLP-1 is a hormone that your body naturally makes, and it helps regulate insulin, blood sugar levels, and feelings of fullness. These drugs mimic that hormone, essentially slowing down your digestion, keeping you fuller for longer, and helping stabilise blood sugar levels. That’s why they’ve become so popular for weight loss.
But here’s where it gets interesting – and where women’s health needs more attention.
Our hormonal landscape is complex. Oestrogen, progesterone, cortisol, insulin, thyroid hormones – they’re all constantly talking to each other. When one shifts, the others respond. So when a drug like Ozempic changes your metabolism, appetite, and glucose regulation, it’s bound to ripple through the rest of your system.
Some women report that once on Ozempic, their periods become irregular or stop altogether. Others say they feel more anxious or find their sleep is off. There are emerging reports that it may also affect fertility, although research here is still early. For women already dealing with hormonal fluctuations – say, during perimenopause – that extra layer of unpredictability can be more than just inconvenient.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. For some women, GLP-1 drugs are life-changing. They help manage insulin resistance, reduce inflammation, and even support better cardiovascular health – all major concerns during and after menopause. The key is to approach these medications not as a quick fix, but as part of a broader hormonal health strategy.
If you’re considering trying a GLP-1 drug, or you’re already on one, it’s worth having an honest chat with your healthcare provider about your full hormonal picture. Are you also dealing with thyroid issues? Is your cortisol through the roof? Are you sleeping, eating, and moving in a way that supports your body through these changes?
At The House of Hormones, we believe that informed decisions are empowered decisions. Weight loss might be part of your wellness goal, and that’s perfectly valid. But your hormones deserve just as much airtime in the conversation.
So next time someone brings up Ozempic over brunch, you’ll be ready with more than just “Isn’t that the weight loss jab?” Because you, lovely Mobster, know there’s always more to the story.
