Does Ozempic Work for PCOS?

Written by Simona Byler
Medically Reviewed by Andrea Sleeth WHNP-BC, MSCP

Key takeaways

• Medications like Ozempic and Wegovy can help with PCOS: Semaglutide supports weight management, improves insulin sensitivity, and can help ease common PCOS symptoms when paired with sustainable lifestyle changes.
• Results vary for everyone: How quickly and how much Ozempic and Wegovy help depends on your body, habits, and overall health—some see changes in weeks, others over months.
• Personalized care matters: Talking with a healthcare provider about PCOS symptoms and treatment options, including lifestyle tweaks and medications, is the best way to find what works for you.

Does medication like Ozempic and Wegovy work for PCOS? Short answer: it can help—but results vary from person to person.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that often comes with frustrating symptoms, and weight gain is one of the trickiest. Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide) can support PCOS-related weight management by improving insulin sensitivity and helping your body regulate appetite. How much it helps depends on your unique body, lifestyle, and other health factors.

The good news is: treatment options can help—it just might take some time to figure out which option is right for you.

How do I know if I have PCOS?

Okay, before we get into the details about how semaglutide 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. But, despite being so common, an estimated 70 percent of people with PCOS go undiagnosed. 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!

Wisp treatment options are available only after consultation with a licensed medical professional. You should consult with your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement or treatment regimen. Individual results may vary.

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. 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.

PCOS weight gain and insulin resistance

Not-so-fun fact: between 40 and 80 percent of people with PCOS are insulin resistant. 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 also way more likely to develop sleep apnea, regardless of their BMI and age.

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. 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!

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 can help 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.
• 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 our 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 are 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 15 percent of their body weight after 68 weeks of treatment*, when combined with diet and exercise. And, because being overweight and struggling with obesity majorly contribute to PCOS symptoms, this medication can certainly help!

*Study based on adults with a starting weight of about 232 lbs.

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.

Some common side effects include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation or diarrhea,
• Stomach pain, an upset stomach, or bloating
• Headaches and dizziness
• Low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes
• Stomach flu
• Heartburn
• Runny nose or a sore throat

It’s important to reach out to a healthcare provider to learn if this medication is right for you.

What are the benefits of using Ozempic or Wegovy for PCOS?

Using semaglutide alongside smart, sustainable lifestyle changes can help you manage some of the trickiest PCOS symptoms. Here’s how it can make a difference:

• Supports insulin sensitivity: Semaglutide helps your body manage insulin more effectively, which can ease some PCOS-related symptoms.
• Helps with weight management: When paired with balanced nutrition and movement, Wegovy can support gradual, sustainable weight changes.
• Balances hormones: Improving insulin function can indirectly help regulate hormones that drive PCOS symptoms like irregular periods or unwanted hair growth.
• Boosts overall energy and wellbeing: Feeling more in control of your body can help with mood, focus, and daily energy levels.
• Works best alongside lifestyle tweaks: Pairing Wegovy or Ozempic with consistent sleep, balanced meals, and gentle exercise can help make its benefits stick and feel more sustainable.
  

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.

Take charge of PCOS and feel more like yourself

PCOS can feel like a never-ending juggling act—weight changes, hormonal shifts, and frustrating symptoms all at once. Medications like Wegovy and Ozempic can help manage weight and insulin resistance, and when combined with small, sustainable lifestyle tweaks, they can make a real difference in how you feel day to day. Everyone’s body responds differently, so finding the right approach is all about experimenting, tracking what works for you, and leaning on trusted support.

If you’ve been struggling with PCOS symptoms or weight management, a personalized consultation can help you figure out what’s right for your body. Talk to a Wisp provider today and get a tailored plan that combines lifestyle strategies and medication options—so you can finally feel like you’re in control.

This blog post is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions based on the information provided here.

Wisp is not affiliated and does not sponsor or endorse any company names, logos, or brands shown or mentioned. All product names, logos, brands, and other trademarks or images shown or mentioned are the property of the respective brand owners and are only used to identify the products and services of their respective owners.

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