Benefits and Risks of Ozempic For PCOS

In 2017, Ozempic was approved by the FDA for the use of aiding weight loss and managing type 2 diabetes. The once-weekly injectable medication, with active ingredient semaglutide, has been used for over a decade to help manage blood sugar in diabetes patients. However, Ozempic, and its other brand name cousin Wegovy, may have other uses.

While testing is still needed on safety and effectiveness, there is some evidence that Ozempic may provide relief for people with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). 

What Is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal issue that affects women in their reproductive years. The condition causes many small sacs of fluid to develop along the outer edge of the ovary, known as cysts. These tiny cysts hold immature eggs known as follicles that fail to release eggs regularly.

People who have PCOS often experience irregular periods that either don’t come every month, or last for many days or weeks at a time when they do come. Some people with PCOS also have an excessive amount of the hormone called androgen in their body.

While we currently don’t know the exact cause of PCOS, people with PCOS are more prone to weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease – which is where Ozempic might help.

PCOS and Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is a condition where the body isn’t able to effectively use insulin and thus has issues with regulating blood sugar. Insulin is an essential hormone created in the pancreas that is responsible for moving sugar in the body’s cells to create energy.

For people with insulin resistance, the pancreas still produces insulin, but the body is unable to use it to store excess blood sugar. When the blood sugar remains high, much of the excess is stored as fat cells, resulting in weight gain and increasing the likelihood of obesity. 

Between 50%–70% of people with PCOS are insulin resistant, putting them at a higher risk of many long-term health problems associated with insulin resistance, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cholesterol, and liver disease.

Blood sugar regulation is key when it comes to managing PCOS-born insulin resistance. For those who have already incorporated lifestyle changes with their diet and exercise to no avail, medications like a diabetes drug called metformin may be used to help regulate blood sugar. 

How Ozempic and Other Semaglutides Work

Ozempic is the brand name of a medication known as semaglutide that stabilizes blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. When doctors noticed weight loss in patients who were on the drug to manage their diabetes, they began prescribing off-label to assist with weight loss and treat the health problems associated with obesity.

Ozempic is administered once a week as a subcutaneous injection (meaning that it is injected right under the skin) that can be self-administered with a preloaded injector pen. Ozempic, and its cousin Wegovy, fall under a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

GLP-1 is an appetite-regulating hormone that our bodies naturally produce; drugs like Ozempic extend the effects of the hormone up to a week, rather than the few minutes that GLP-1 typically lasts.

Ozempic triggers a chain of reactions that result in weight loss and blood sugar regulation through:

• Stimulating insulin release to lower blood sugar
• Decreasing appetite and increasing satiety by slowing down the speed at which food moves through the stomach

How Ozempic Helps With PCOS

As we discussed above, since insulin resistance is closely associated with PCOS, medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro that increase insulin sensitivity may alleviate PCOS symptoms.

Moreover, PCOS can also cause metabolic problems that raise the likelihood of being overweight or obese and make it more difficult to lose or maintain weight even with diet and exercise changes. The weight loss associated with Ozempic can reduce many PCOS symptoms by lowering androgen levels, which then improves symptoms such as acne and abnormal hair growth.

Fertility problems are common among people with PCOS, and weight loss can help with hormonal problems like irregular menstrual cycles, restore ovulation, and optimize fertility. 

Although the FDA has not yet approved Ozempic as a treatment for PCOS, semaglutide-based drugs such as Ozempic are becoming more popular among young women suffering from PCOS through platforms like TikTok.

PCOS is a complex condition that can be difficult to treat, and the frustrating lack of available tools is perhaps driving young people to find their own solutions. However, it’s important to remember that while Ozempic may offer benefits for people with PCOS, it isn’t a magical cure-all, and should only be taken with your doctor’s approval.

Ozempic Side Effects

All drugs have side effects, and Ozempic is no exception. Semaglutide-based medications like Ozempic often cause minor side effects, which can increase with the dosage. However, less than 4% of people stopped taking the drug due to side effects during clinical trials, and most people prescribed the drug find the side effects manageable. Some common side effects include:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain

If the side effects get worse over time, you should consult with your doctor.