Wegovy® through Hers

How quickly you notice Wegovy® working, how strongly you feel its effects, and at what dose, all depend on the individual.

Healthy weight loss comes from creating a modest, steady difference between the calories you eat and what your body uses, not from skipping meals or restricting too much.

• Protein: Try to include protein in most meals instead of having it all at once. This helps maintain your muscle mass as your body changes.

• Fluids: Sip fluids throughout the day rather than drinking large amounts at once, as this is gentler on your digestion. Aim for about 2 litres a day, but focus more on consistency than on reaching an exact number.

• Movement: You do not need intense exercise. Even a short daily walk helps, and adding weight-bearing activities such as dancing or resistance training can further support your muscles and bones as you age.

Weight changes can bring up unexpected feelings, whether they happen quickly or slowly. You do not have to manage this on your own. Your Hers clinicians are here to support you and will continue to adjust your plan as your needs change.

Your body already makes a hormone called GLP-1, which plays a part in how hungry you feel, how quickly you digest food, and how your blood sugar responds after eating. Wegovy® works by mimicking that hormone: the semaglutide in Wegovy® activates the same GLP-1 receptors in your brain, pancreas, and gut, just more consistently than your body would on its own.

In practice, that means Wegovy® can help:

• Reduce your appetite

• Turn down 'food noise': those persistent thoughts about food that can be hard to switch off

• Slow down digestion, which helps you feel full on less food and keeps that fullness lasting longer

• Help keep your blood sugar steadier after meals

Weight loss is usually why you would start Wegovy®. But the number on the scale may not be the only thing that changes.

Heart health

If you have cardiovascular disease as well as being overweight or obesity, this is worth knowing. In a large clinical trial, Wegovy® reduced the combined risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack or stroke by 20% compared with people who did not take Wegovy®*.

Clinical trials also found improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol measures**.

Blood sugar and diabetes risk

An analysis of the same trial found that Wegovy® reduced the relative risk of blood sugar levels (HbA1c) reaching the diabetes range by 73% compared with people who did not take Wegovy®***.

This was studied in adults with cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity who did not have diabetes when the trial began***.

Wegovy® is not licensed specifically to prevent type 2 diabetes, so this result will not apply to everyone****.

In the UK, national guidance sets the criteria for prescribing GLP-1 injections like Wegovy®. You may be eligible if:

• Your BMI is 30 or higher

• Your BMI is 27 or higher, alongside a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure

• You belong to an ethnic group with a higher risk of weight-related health conditions at a lower BMI, including South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, and African-Caribbean backgrounds

• You're already taking Wegovy® or have used weight-management medication before, in which case a prescribing clinician will assess your suitability individually

These are the criteria a clinician checks against, not a guarantee: meeting them is the starting point, and Wegovy® still won't be right for everyone.

Occasionally, a Hers clinician may consider prescribing outside this guidance where it's clinically appropriate. That would fall outside Wegovy®'s licensed use, so we'll always talk you through what that means and get your consent first.

Meeting the BMI criteria is only part of the picture. Your Hers clinician also needs to know about your health conditions and any medications you're taking, since either could make Wegovy® unsuitable for you specifically. The more they know, the safer your plan will be.

Wegovy® may not be right for you if you:

• Are under 18

• Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant; stop Wegovy® at least 2 months before trying to conceive

• Are allergic to semaglutide or any other ingredient in Wegovy®

• Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2)

• Have severe kidney problems, including end-stage renal disease

• Have severe liver problems

• Have a severe stomach or bowel condition, such as gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying) or severe inflammatory bowel disease

• Have type 1 diabetes

• Have ever had pancreatitis 

• Have diabetic eye disease, including diabetic retinopathy or diabetic macular oedema (a rapid drop in blood sugar can briefly worsen these conditions, so they need close monitoring)

• Have a history of severe depression, suicidal thoughts, or unstable mental health conditions

• Are already taking another GLP-1 or GIP medication, such as Mounjaro®, Ozempic®, or Saxenda®

• Take insulin or sulfonylurea-based diabetes medications, since combining these with Wegovy® raises the risk of severe low blood sugar and needs close management

This isn't a complete list. Tell your Hers clinician about every health condition and medication you have, and read the patient information leaflet that comes with your Wegovy®.

There are 3 possible areas you can inject your Wegovy®. You can use:

• Your stomach, avoiding the area right around your belly button

• Your thigh

• The back of your upper arm, but only if someone else is injecting you

Leave at least 2.5 to 3cm between each injection and the one before it, whether that's the same site or a different one. That means you can use your stomach every time if that's easiest, you don't have to rotate between different areas, just give each injection room from the last. Skip any patch of skin that's bruised, red, hard, or irritated.

There's no evidence that one injection site works better than another, so the right choice is whichever is easiest and most comfortable for you. 

To inject yourself with a dose of Wegovy®, follow these step-by-step instructions included in the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication:

Step 1 – prepare your pen & needle

• First wash your hands: Use warm water and soap

• Check the label: Verify that the pen is your correct prescribed dose and has not expired.

• Inspect the liquid: Pull the pen cap off and check that the solution in the window is completely clear and colourless. If it looks cloudy, do not use it.

• Attach the needle: Tear the paper tab off a new needle. Push the needle straight onto the pen and twist tightly.

• Expose the needle: Pull off the outer needle cap and save it for later. Pull off the inner needle cap and throw it away.

Step 2 – check the flow (first time using a new pen only)

Skip this phase if you have already used this specific pen before.

• Turn to the flow symbol: Turn the dose selector until the flow check symbol (··-) aligns with the dose pointer.

• Prime the pen: Hold the pen with the needle pointing upward. Press and hold the dose button until the counter returns to 0. A drop of liquid should appear at the needle tip.

Step 3 – set & inject your dose

• Select your dose: Turn the dose selector until your exact prescribed dose lines up with the pointer.

• Choose your injection site: Pick either your stomach (at least 5 cm away from the belly button), the front of your thighs, or your upper arms (if someone else is helping you).

• Inject and count: Insert the needle into your skin. Press and hold down the dose button until the counter returns to 0.

• Hold for 6 seconds: Keep the needle firmly in your skin and count slowly to 6 to ensure you receive the full dose. Remove the needle from your skin.

Step 4 – safe disposal

• Cap the needle: Carefully push the outer needle cap back onto the needle without touching the tip.

• Remove and discard: Unscrew the capped needle and drop it straight into a dedicated sharps bin.

• Replace pen cap: Put the main pen cap back on and store the pen safely. Never store it with a needle attached.

Thinking about your first injection can feel more daunting than the injection itself usually turns out to be. The needle on a Wegovy® pen is much finer than the ones used for vaccinations or blood tests, and it only needs to go just under the skin, not into a muscle or vein. Most people describe the sensation as a quick pinch, over almost as soon as it starts.

For some people, the harder part isn't the pain, it's wondering whether they'll actually be able to go through with it, especially the first time. That's a common fear, not a sign you're not capable, and it usually just takes practice to get past. Some people find it helps to practise the motion with the pen's cap still on before doing it for real. If it still feels like too much on your own, you don't have to be the one holding the pen: a partner or someone else close to you can learn to give the injection instead. Full instructions come with every pen either way, and your Hers clinician can talk through what might work best for you.

Wegovy® doses include:

• 0.25mg – starter dose

• 0.5mg

• 1mg

• 1.7mg

• 2.4mg – official recommended maintenance dose

• 7.2mg – maximum maintenance dose

If you move up every 4 weeks after you start Wegovy®, you would reach 7.2mg at week 21. However, many people decide to stay on lower doses for longer, or even choose a lower dose as a maintenance dose.

A Hers clinician can help you navigate the dosing schedule for Wegovy® in a way that feels right for you. You can message them any time through your Hers App for advice about your dose.

It's understandable to wonder whether missing a dose has undone your progress. In most cases, it hasn't. What you do next just depends on how long it's been since you were due.

1 to 5 days late Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then go back to your normal injection day for the next one.

More than 5 days late Skip the missed dose entirely. Don't inject today; wait until your next scheduled dose and carry on as normal.

Important: Never take 2 doses close together to make up for a missed one, doing this could put you at risk of serious side effects. Always leave at least 72 hours between any two injections. 

If a dose is late or skipped, your appetite or cravings may return temporarily. That's the medication levels shifting, not a sign anything's gone wrong, and it typically settles again once you're back on your regular schedule.

There's no set point at which everyone should move up, and that's deliberate: it's meant to move at your pace, not on a fixed timeline. It comes down to how you're tolerating your current dose, how your body's responding, and whether it's still doing what you need it to.

You'll need at least 4 weeks on any given dose before increasing, though there's no obligation to move up the moment that period ends.

How will I know when I'm ready to increase?

Your Hers clinician looks at how long you've been on your current dose, how well you're tolerating it, and whether it's still doing enough. Here's roughly how that breaks down.

You're usually ready to move up if:

• You've completed at least 4 weeks on your current dose

• You're tolerating the medication well, with little or no side effects

• Your cravings, appetite, or weight loss have plateaued, or you've only just started this dose and haven't felt its effects yet

It can make sense to stay on your current dose, whether it's working well or you'd simply like more time:

• Any side effects are mild and easy to live with

• Your appetite is already where you want it

• Food noise has settled down

• You're happy with how the weight loss is going

• You'd rather give your body more time before increasing

It's worth slowing down if:

• Side effects are strong enough to be hard to manage

• Eating enough has become genuinely hard

There isn’t one single maintenance dose. Novo Nordisk officially recommends 2.4mg, but in practice, any of the 6 doses can work as a maintenance dose.

Once you’ve reached your goal weight, your treatment shifts from losing weight to keeping it off and staying at your current weight. Your maintenance dose is the dose you and your clinician agree on to help you achieve this.

May affect 1 in 10 people or more

• Headache

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Constipation

• Stomach pain

• Feeling weak or tired

May affect up to 1 in 10 people

• Dizziness

• Stomach and digestion problems

• Burping

• Acid reflux

• Bloating

• Gas

• Inflamed stomach

• Hair loss

• Gallstones

• Reactions at the injection site

• Change in the way food and drink taste

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), mainly when Wegovy® is used alongside insulin or sulfonylurea-based diabetes medicines

May affect up to 1 in 100 people

• Low blood pressure

• Fast heartbeat

• Increased pancreatic enzymes (such as amylase and lipase)

• Increased bilirubin levels (a liver-related marker, usually only picked up on a blood test)

Acute pancreatitis: Signs to watch for are severe or persistent stomach pain, which may spread to your back, along with nausea or vomiting. If pancreatitis is confirmed, Wegovy® must not be restarted. (May affect between 1 in 1,000 and fewer than 1 in 100 people)

Severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis or angioedema: Signs include swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, or a widespread rash. Get emergency help straight away if this happens. (May affect between 1 in 10,000 and fewer than 1 in 1,000 people). 

Important: if you notice these symptoms, stop taking Wegovy® and get urgent medical help. Call 111 or 999, or go to A&E. 

Tell your Hers clinician about all the medicines you take before starting Wegovy®, including anything you buy without a prescription. This is especially important for:

• Other diabetes medicines, including insulin and sulfonylureas, combining these with Wegovy® can increase the risk of low blood sugar

• Levothyroxine, used to treat an underactive thyroid

• Contraceptive pills and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) taken by mouth: Wegovy® itself doesn't reduce how well the pill works, but vomiting or severe diarrhoea can affect absorption. You can use extra protection, such as condoms, or seek advice from your medical provider if you are unsure

• Other oral medicines generally: Wegovy® slows down how quickly your stomach empties, which can occasionally change how fast some tablets are absorbed. This matters most for medicines with a narrow safety margin, such as warfarin, digoxin, or certain anti-epileptic medicines

This list isn't exhaustive. Always give your prescriber your full medical history so they can check Wegovy® is right for you.

Most side effects settle down as your body adjusts, and they're usually most noticeable in the first few days after starting Wegovy® or moving up a dose. Your first order comes with a side effect kit to help you manage things at home, and there's a lot more you can do yourself too, plus a few things worth asking for if home measures aren't enough. 

Feeling or being sick Eat smaller meals, more often, and eat slowly. Bland, low-fat food is easier to tolerate than anything rich or spicy. Sip fluids rather than drinking a lot at once, and stay upright for a while after eating rather than lying down. If it's persistent, a Hers clinician can prescribe anti-sickness medication.

Diarrhoea Bland, low-fat food and regular small sips of fluid help here too, mainly to avoid getting dehydrated. Keep track of how often it's happening; that's useful information if you need to speak to a Hers clinician. Loperamide, available from any pharmacy, can help in the short term.

Constipation Drink more fluids and add fibre gradually rather than all at once, since a sudden increase can make things worse, not better. Staying active helps keep things moving, and it's worth not holding off when you feel the urge to go.

Indigestion Smaller, slower meals help, as does avoiding coffee, alcohol, and fizzy drinks. Try to leave a few hours between eating and going to bed. An over-the-counter antacid can ease things if they're bothering you.

If home measures and over-the-counter options aren't enough, message a Hers clinician through your Hers App; some side effects need a prescription to manage properly.

Important: some rare but more serious side effects are possible. It's worth knowing what these look like now, in case you ever need it: they're listed in the patient information leaflet that comes with your Wegovy®. If you think one applies to you, don't wait for a reply from a Hers clinician: call 111 or 999.

If you're thinking about starting a family, it's natural to want to know how Wegovy® might affect that before you begin. So far, there's no evidence Wegovy® harms fertility, though its direct effect on human fertility hasn't been specifically studied yet*.

For some women, particularly those with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome** (PMOS, previously known as polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS), weight loss may help improve some symptoms and metabolic health.

Research into GLP-1 receptor agonists has found improvements in natural pregnancy rates and menstrual regularity in women with PMOS/PCOS, alongside improvements in weight and insulin sensitivity. However, this research does not establish that Wegovy® itself directly improves fertility, and Wegovy® should not be used as a fertility treatment**.

_{*Novo Nordisk Limited. (2026). Wegovy® Summary of Product Characteristics.}

_{**Zhou L, et al. (2023). Effects of GLP1RAs on pregnancy rate and menstrual cyclicity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta analysis and systematic review.}

No, Wegovy® doesn’t have a direct impact on the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill. However, it can still make the pill less effective if you vomit or get diarrhoea as side effects. If this happens to you, make sure to use extra protection like condoms for 7 days afterwards or seek advice from your healthcare provider.

No. Right now, there isn't enough evidence to say Wegovy® is safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding, including whether it passes into breast milk, so it isn't recommended if either applies to you.

If you are planning to get pregnant, you should stop using Wegovy® at least 2 months beforehand. This will make sure it’s out of your system before you get pregnant.

Yes. A small early study found that postmenopausal women lost a similar amount of weight and fat mass with semaglutide as premenopausal women, despite starting with higher average weight and fat mass*.

Hormonal changes during the menopause transition are associated with changes in body composition, including increased fat mass and a shift towards more central fat distribution**.

This is biology, not something you are doing wrong. Wegovy® cannot target fat loss in one specific area, but it can reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness, supporting overall weight loss***.

_{*Nicolau J, et al. (2025). Effectiveness of low doses of semaglutide on weight loss and body composition among women in their menopause.}

_{**Greendale GA, et al. (2019). Changes in body composition and weight during the menopause transition.}

_{***Novo Nordisk Limited. (2026). Wegovy® Summary of Product Characteristics.}

Wegovy® can delay gastric emptying, which may potentially affect the absorption of medicines taken by mouth*.

There is currently limited evidence specifically on how this may affect oral HRT**. HRT delivered through the skin, such as patches, gels or sprays, is absorbed directly through the skin and would not be affected by changes in stomach emptying in the same way.

Tell your clinician exactly which HRT products you use so they can assess whether any additional monitoring or changes are needed.

_{*Novo Nordisk Limited. (2026). Wegovy® Summary of Product Characteristics.}

_{**British Menopause Society. (2025). Use of incretin based therapies in women using hormone replacement therapy.}