Does Ozempic Work for PCOS?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that can come with all kinds of bothersome symptoms. The symptom we’re going to focus on today is quite possibly the most frustrating—weight gain. But why is PCOS weight gain so frustrating? Well, it can make all the other symptoms worse, increase your risk of other health conditions like diabetes, and make managing PCOS that much harder.

The good news is: treatment options can help—it just might take some time to figure out which option is right for you. With all that in mind, we’re here to talk about the causes of PCOS weight gain, how to lose weight with PCOS, and how a prescription of semaglutide like Wegovy or Ozempic for PCOS can help.

How do I know if I have PCOS?

Okay, before we get into the details about how Ozempic can work for PCOS, let’s talk about some important PCOS basics. First off, PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder in reproductive-aged women—it affects between five and 15 percent of women (1). But, despite being so common, an estimated 70 percent of people with PCOS go undiagnosed (2). Let’s try to make that make sense, shall we?

PCOS is a complex condition that can present itself differently in each person. Diagnosis can be a bit tricky because PCOS symptoms vary and can also relate to other health conditions like thyroid problems. That said, let’s talk about symptoms to watch out for if you think you have PCOS.

Signs of PCOS include:

• Infrequent or absent periods
• Excess body hair growth, acne, and oily skin
• Thinning scalp hair
• Ovarian cysts
• Trouble getting pregnant
• Weight gain or trouble losing weight

Noticing any of these symptoms and think PCOS is the cause? Talk with a healthcare provider about receiving a diagnosis and know that online treatment options for PCOS are available!

Does PCOS cause weight gain?

As we mentioned above, unexplained weight gain and difficulty losing weight can be signs of PCOS. So, does PCOS cause weight gain? The simple answer is, yes, it totally can. In fact, between 38 and 88 percent of those with PCOS are either overweight or obese (3). Let’s look into the details of why that’s the case.

For starters, the relationship between PCOS and weight gain is complicated—and compounding. Basically, being overweight can make you more likely to develop PCOS. And having PCOS can make it easier to gain weight–and harder to lose it. It’s a vicious cycle with a few different contributing factors (4).

PCOS weight gain and insulin resistance

Not-so-fun fact: between 50 and 90 percent of people with PCOS are insulin resistant (3). But, what does that actually mean? Well, insulin is a hormone that helps your body process sugar from your blood into cells where it can be used for energy.

When you have insulin resistance, your body isn’t able to use insulin effectively. This causes you to have too much insulin in your blood. Too much insulin can cause weight gain and, over time, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic complications. Since Wegovy and Ozempic were originally introduced as medications to help with type 2 diabetes, this is where they might help with PCOS, too.

PCOS weight gain and sleep apnea

Women with PCOS are five to 30 times more likely to develop sleep apnea, regardless of their BMI and age (5). Seriously, up to 30 times more likely! Why? Well, because of the higher levels of androgen hormones. Sleep apnea can make insulin resistance worse, leading to a higher risk of diabetes and heart disease. On top of that, it can be a lot harder to make healthy lifestyle changes when you’re dealing with disrupted sleep.

PCOS weight gain and mental health

PCOS and the symptoms that come with it can have a heavy impact on mental health. Those with this condition are more likely to report depression, anxiety, and stress (6). And, nothing makes healthy lifestyle changes more difficult than depression.

So, though it’s not possible to draw a direct causal link, it makes total sense that since PCOS negatively impacts your mental health, it can make it harder to exercise regularly and stick to a healthy diet. And that, in turn, adds to weight gain. In some cases, jump-starting your weight loss journey with Wegovy for PCOS can help you see results and make it easier to adopt healthy lifestyle changes.

How to lose weight with PCOS

Okay, so we know that having PCOS can make it harder to lose weight, but gaining weight can make PCOS symptoms worse. That’s why making small lifestyle changes as soon as you know (or suspect) you have PCOS is so important!

Modest weight loss can help improve the symptoms you have, including reproductive issues, hormonal imbalance, and insulin resistance. And while it’s certainly not easy, here are a few ways to manage your weight with PCOS:

• Lifestyle changes: They’re not quick, easy, or super fun, but lifestyle changes are often the first recommendation for helping with PCOS weight loss. Aim to eat a diet full of fruit, veg, lean protein, and whole grains while focusing on maintaining calorie deficit. Combining diet with regular moderate exercise helps to decrease insulin resistance and reduce testosterone levels.
• Behavioral changes: Like diet and exercise, behavioral changes can help over time. Focus on your mental well-being, find a support network, get enough sleep, and reduce stress as much as you can.
• Semaglutide for PCOS: Taking semaglutide medications like Wegovy and Ozempic for PCOS is shown to help with weight loss. How? By making your stomach empty slower, helping you feel full longer, reducing hunger, and improving blood sugar levels (7).
• GLP-1 supplements: GLP-1 is a hormone your gut makes in response to eating. You can support your body’s GLP-1 levels with prescription medications—like semaglutide—or with another clinically-backed option like Metabolic Support & GLP-1 Boost Capsules. But, an important note: don’t take these supplements with prescriptive GLP-1s or GIPs.

If you’ve struggled with weight gain from PCOS, know that you’re not alone. Weight management is possible with the right approach and support. And, you can always reach out to a healthcare provider to learn if medication options like Wegovy for PCOS is right for you.

Does Ozempic help with PCOS?

We’ve hinted at this already and the quick answer is, yes, semaglutide medications like Wegovy can help with PCOS. How? By helping with weight loss, which improves common PCOS symptoms like issues with fertility, hair growth, and irregular cycles. But, let’s dig a little deeper.

First things first, semaglutide is the active ingredient in the brand-name medications Ozempic and Wegovy. In clinical trials of Wegovy, participants lost about 16 percent of their body weight after 16 months of treatment, when combined with diet and exercise (8). And, because overweight and obesity majorly contribute to PCOS symptoms, this medication can certainly help!

Semaglutide can help with PCOS weight loss by:

• Slowing down digestion
• Reducing appetite and cravings
• Lowering blood sugar levels
• Improving insulin sensitivity

As with any medication, there are plenty of potential side effects and details to be aware of when taking semaglutide for PCOS. Reach out to a healthcare provider to learn if this medication is right for you.

Will insurance cover Ozempic for PCOS?

Whether or not you can use insurance to cover a prescription of semaglutide, Wegovy, or Ozempic for PCOS depends on your insurance, your healthcare provider, and the underlying cause for treatment if you have one. While we don’t currently accept insurance here at Wisp, you might be able to apply your insurance to your Wegovy medication costs at the pharmacy.

If you’re dealing with PCOS weight gain or any other symptoms, know that treatment options exist. Not interested in Wegovy or Ozempic for PCOS? That’s totally understandable! Other medications you might consider looking into include metformin, Mounjaro (tirzepatide), or just plain old birth control pills. You know your body best and the decision is yours.