Does Ozempic Cause Hair Loss? A Doctor Explains

Though GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro can help folks lose weight (and potentially even improve their sex lives), they can also usher in unwanted side effects, from looser skin on the face and butt to persistent burps. You might be wondering: Does Ozempic cause hair loss? I checked in with Dr. Jessica Shepherd, an OB/GYN and Chief Medical Officer at Hers, to learn more about whether or not this is a thing—and what to do if it happens.

Dr. Jessica Shepherd is Chief Medical Officer at Hers. She is a board-certified OB/GYN, a women’s health, sexual wellness and menopausal expert, the founder of Sanctum Med and Wellness and the author of Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause and Menopause. Dr. Shepherd earned her MD from Ross University School of Medicine and her MBA from University of Louisville.

Dr. Shepherd tells me that while there is no known direct link between the use of GLP-1 treatments and hair loss, hair loss while using GLP-1s has been seen, and there are several theories on why this may occur. “One of those theories is a condition called telogen effluvium, a common type of hair loss that affects people after they experience severe stress or a change to their body,” she says. “It is important to note that this condition is temporary, and most times, resolves on its own.”  She adds that temporary hair loss may also occur with dieting or weight loss surgery, and can be addressed through over-the-counter or prescription medications containing minoxidil, as well as proper nutrition. 

“The precise mechanism by which rapid weight loss may contribute to hair loss is not fully understood, but there are several theories, such as conditions like telogen effluvium, along with nutritional deficiencies, that can occur with rapid weight loss,” Dr. Shepherd notes. She tells me that a medical provider can confirm telogen effluvium during a “pull test,” in which they gently pull a small clump of 40 to 60 hairs between their fingers. Under normal conditions, they may only pull two to three hairs from your scalp, but if you have telogen effluvium, they may pull at least four to six hairs from your scalp with white bulbs at the roots.

“People taking weight loss medications such as GLP-1s may experience a decreased appetite, and therefore, may not eat the necessary vitamins and minerals as a part of their diet. The loss of these vitamins and minerals can cause temporary hair loss, hair thinning or delayed hair growth.” (She also tells me that, on the other hand, being overweight or obese can also disrupt hair growth cycles.) Luckily for those experiencing hair loss related to weight changes, Dr. Shepherd tells me that there are essential vitamins and minerals for hair health, such as biotin, zinc and iron, that can help. “Specifically for women, loss of iron can be detrimental to hair growth, and therefore should be monitored by a healthcare provider when on weight loss medications.”

So, if you’re experiencing hair loss while on Ozempic or similar medications, what should you do? First, don’t freak out. Dr. Shepherd assures me that it is very unlikely that you will go bald from weight loss. She says, “Your hair may thin and you may find clumps in your sink or on your brush, but that is likely to be temporary.  As your weight loss slows down, your hair should start to grow back, but hair grows quite slow and will take a while to match the hair on the rest of your head.” She stresses the importance of getting enough protein as part of your weight loss plan, and potentially trying vitamins designed for hair and nail growth—mainly biotin and potentially selenium (which you can find in Brazil nuts), in addition to a multivitamin with iron.   

The bottom line is this: Hair loss might happen as a result of rapid weight loss (not the medication directly), but is usually temporary and reversible.