For some women taking GLP-1 weight loss medications, the hardest part is not the treatment itself but deciding who gets to know about it. According to the report, a number of women are hiding drugs like Wegovy from partners, family members, and even children, often because they want to avoid criticism, arguments, or pressure about their bodies and health choices.
One example is Caroline, a 34-year-old in Montreal who first took Wegovy openly and lost 30 pounds over six months, going from 130 pounds to what she described as her “healthy original weight” of 100 pounds. She had tried many other ways to lose weight, and after stopping the medication, she quickly regained 10 pounds in a month. She then restarted Wegovy at a maintenance dose, but this time kept it secret from her boyfriend and family. She stores it in the fridge and says travel makes the arrangement especially awkward.
Privacy, control, and concern
The report says Caroline is far from alone. On a subreddit focused on GLP-1 microdosing, women described hiding their medication in ordinary household items, from food containers to supplement bottles and boxes kept in the refrigerator. Kia Mitchell, a family and obesity medicine doctor in Jacksonville, Florida, said she has seen similar behavior in her practice and understands why some patients want to reveal the medication only when they choose. For many, she said, controlling the story around their weight loss feels empowering after feeling a loss of control over their weight.
At the same time, Mitchell said secrecy can have downsides. She noted that people generally do better with a supportive network, and hiding medication can make it harder to ask for help if side effects arise. There are also medical concerns, including the fact that pregnancy can happen more easily while taking GLP-1 drugs. She added that keeping the medication private can add stress, which may work against someone trying to lose weight. The report also points out that telemedicine has made it easier for some patients to access these drugs without involving their regular doctors, adding another layer of privacy to an already sensitive decision.
Source: self.com
