Does Wegovy cause hair loss?

Yes, some people notice hair loss while taking Wegovy. It’s a recognised side effect, but most people taking Wegovy don’t experience it.

If you’ve spotted more hairs than usual in your brush or in the shower, it can feel worrying, especially when you’re otherwise feeling positive about your progress. You’re certainly not alone. For most people, this type of hair loss is temporary, and hair grows back.

In this guide, we’ll explain why Wegovy hair loss can happen, how common it is, and practical ways to support healthy hair throughout your treatment.

Is hair loss a side effect of Wegovy?

Yes, hair loss is a recognised side effect of Wegovy. The official product information from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) lists it as a common side effect, which means it may affect up to 1 in 10 people.

Wegovy contains semaglutide, a type of glucagon-like peptide-1 medication. It works like a natural hormone that helps control appetite. According to the EMA, it helps you feel fuller and less hungry, reducing cravings.

In clinical trials, 2.5% of people taking Wegovy reported hair loss, compared with 1% of people taking a placebo (a dummy treatment with no medicine in it). In other words, around 97.5% of people taking Wegovy in these trials didn’t report hair loss at all. The EMA also notes that most cases were mild, and that hair loss was reported more often in people who lost 20% or more of their body weight.

Researchers are still working out exactly why hair loss happens. But because it’s more common with greater weight loss, the weight loss itself may play a role.

Does Wegovy cause hair loss in women specifically?

The official Wegovy product information doesn’t say whether hair loss is more common in women or men. However, a 2025 study of people without diabetes taking semaglutide found that women taking semaglutide had a higher risk of hair loss than women taking a different weight loss medicine. The study didn’t find a clear link in men.

However, this study hasn’t yet been peer reviewed. In other words, it hasn't been checked by independent experts, and the researchers say further investigation is needed.

Why can Wegovy cause hair loss?

One likely explanation is a temporary type of hair shedding called telogen effluvium. It’s a recognised response to weight loss and changes in diet, both of which can happen while taking Wegovy.

Rapid weight loss and telogen effluvium

Telogen effluvium is when more hair than usual falls out from your scalp because illness, stress, or a major change in the body disrupts your hair’s natural cycle.

Your hair grows in cycles. At any one time, around 85% of the hair follicles on your scalp are in a growing phase. The other 15% or so are in a resting phase, after which those hairs fall out. Losing between 30 and 150 hairs a day is typical.

After a big change in the body, more hairs can switch into the resting phase at once. DermNet lists weight loss, an unusual diet, and nutritional deficiencies (such as low iron) among the recognised triggers, and the HSE lists weight loss, stress, illness, and iron deficiency as causes.

The timing can be confusing. Shedding usually becomes noticeable 2-4 months after the triggering event, so you might feel great in your first few months on Wegovy and only then notice extra hairs in your brush.

Nutrition and eating less on Wegovy

Wegovy reduces your appetite, which is part of how it helps you lose weight. But eating less can make it harder to get all the nutrients your body, and your hair, needs.

Protein is especially important. The Department of Health’s eating well guidelines recommend two servings a day from the meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, and nuts shelf of the Food Pyramid. These foods provide protein for growth and repair, and they’re also the main source of iron for healthy blood. A balanced diet including foods rich in iron and protein, plus fresh fruit and vegetables, may be helpful.

Iron deserves a special mention. A review in Dermatology and Therapy notes that iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world, and it’s linked to telogen effluvium. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron, so pairing iron-rich foods with vitamin C sources, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, or peppers, can help.

Supplements aren’t automatically necessary, and more isn’t always better. The same review notes that too much vitamin A or selenium can actually contribute to hair loss. If you’re worried you might be low in something like iron, speak to your GP or your myBMI clinician before starting a supplement. A simple blood test can check for iron deficiency and rule out other causes, such as thyroid problems.

“Seeing more hair than usual in your brush or shower can be upsetting, especially when you’re already adjusting to lots of changes. If Wegovy has reduced your appetite, try prioritising protein when you do eat, rather than putting pressure on yourself to finish a large meal. Giving your body the nutrition it needs can help support healthy hair growth, and this kind of shedding is often temporary.”

Ayesha BashirPrescribing Pharmacist

How to avoid hair loss on Wegovy

There’s no guaranteed way to prevent hair loss on Wegovy, but looking after your nutrition and being gentle with your hair may help.

Eat little and often, with protein first

Small, regular meals and snacks can make it easier to get enough nutrients when appetite is low. Try eating the protein on your plate first, and include iron-rich foods like eggs, fish, lean meats, beans, and lentils, alongside fresh fruits and vegetables.

Follow your dosing schedule

Hair loss was reported more often in people who lost a larger amount of weight. Stick to the dosing schedule your IMC-registered doctor has set, rather than trying to speed things up. Steady, sustainable progress should always be the goal.

Be gentle with your hair

If you’re dealing with telogen effluvium, you should:

• avoid harsh brushing or combing
• limit tight hairstyles
• limit heated tools, such as hairdryers, straighteners, and curlers
• avoid bleaching, relaxing, or other harsh chemical treatments

Look after your overall wellbeing

Stress is also a recognised trigger for telogen effluvium, so finding ways to manage stress may help. If you smoke, cutting down or stopping may help too, as it can make hair loss worse.

How to stop hair loss from Wegovy

If you’re already noticing shedding, there’s no instant fix, but it usually settles on its own. In the meantime, the following steps can help.

Choose gentle hair products

The HSE suggests using mild shampoo if you have hair loss. However, there’s no shampoo that will make your hair regrow, so be wary of products that promise this.

Keep taking your treatment unless advised otherwise

The EMA notes that most people with hair loss recovered while continuing Wegovy. Do not stop taking your medication without speaking to your clinician first.

Give your hair time

Telogen effluvium usually gets better without any treatment. The shedding phase lasts 3-6 months, and new hair then starts to grow. It can take many months for your hair to feel as full as it did before.

Know when to seek clinical support

Some hair loss isn’t linked to Wegovy at all. The HSE recommends seeing your GP if you:

• have areas of hair loss that are itchy or sore
• are losing hair in clumps
• have sudden hair loss
• are worried about your hair loss

You can also speak to our clinicians at any point during your treatment. If your shedding isn’t improving after a few months, your GP can check for other possible causes.

Is Wegovy hair loss permanent?

For most people, no. Hair loss linked to Wegovy is usually temporary, and the EMA reports that most people recovered while continuing their treatment.

Because telogen effluvium is a disruption to your hair’s natural cycle, new hair starts to grow once the shedding phase passes. DermNet notes that, in most cases, hair recovers within 6-9 months. It’s very unusual for telogen effluvium to cause thinning severe enough to need a wig.

If your hair isn’t improving, it’s worth seeing your GP, as the HSE notes that some types of hair loss, such as male and female pattern baldness, are lasting.

Get support with your Wegovy side effects

Noticing hair loss can knock your confidence, especially when you're working hard towards your goals. You don’t have to manage it alone.

Hair loss is just one possible side effect of Wegovy. For more information, check out our guide to Wegovy side effects.

Every myBMI treatment plan includes ongoing clinical support. If side effects are affecting your everyday life, our IMC-registered doctors are here to listen, answer your questions, and help you find a way forward that works for you.

Sources

• Hair loss: symptoms, types and treatments. (2023) HSE. [Accessed 29 September 2026]
• Risk of Hair Loss with Semaglutide for Weight Loss. (2025) medRxiv. [Accessed 30 September 2026]
• Telogen effluvium (hair shedding). (2019) DermNet. [Accessed 1 October 2026]
• The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review. (2018) Dermatology and Therapy. [Accessed 30 September 2026]
• Wegovy: EPAR - Product Information. (2026) European Medicines Agency. [Accessed 29 September 2026]
• Your guide to meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans and nuts. (2016) Department of Health. [Accessed 30 September 2026]
• Telogen Effluvium (Hair Loss): Causes and Treatment (2024) Patient. [Accessed 1 October 2026]