In 2017, Ozempic was approved by the FDA for use in aiding weight loss and managing type 2 diabetes. The once-weekly injectable drug, with the active ingredient semaglutide, has been used for over a decade to help manage blood sugar in patients with diabetes. However, Ozempic, and its other brand name cousin Wegovy, may have other uses.
While testing is still needed for safety and effectiveness, there is some evidence that Ozempic may provide relief for people with PCOS.
What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal problem 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 days or weeks when they do. Some people with PCOS also have an excess of a hormone called androgen in their body.
Although 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 can help.
PCOS and Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is a condition where the body is unable to use insulin effectively and therefore has problems regulating blood sugar. Insulin is a key hormone created in the pancreas that is responsible for moving sugar into the body’s cells to create energy.
For people with insulin resistance, the pancreas still produces insulin, but the body cannot use it to store excess blood sugar. When blood sugar remains high, much of the excess is stored as fat cells, resulting in weight gain and an increased likelihood of obesity.
Between 50%-70% People with PCOS are insulin resistant, which puts them at higher risk for many long-term health problems associated with insulin resistance, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cholesterol, and liver disease.
siBlood sugar regulation is key to managing the insulin resistance born of PCOS. For those who have already incorporated lifestyle changes with diet and exercise to no avail, medications such as a diabetes medication called metformin can be used to help regulate blood sugar.
How Ozempic and other semaglutides work
Ozempic is the brand name of a drug known as semaglutide that stabilizes blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. When doctors noticed weight loss in patients taking the drug to manage their diabetes, they began prescribing off-label for help with weight loss and treat obesity-related health problems.
Ozempic is given once a week as a subcutaneous injection (meaning it is injected just under the skin) that can be self-administered with a pre-filled pen. Ozempic, and its cousin Wegovy, belong to 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 for up to a week, instead of the few minutes that GLP-1 usually lasts.
Ozempic triggers a chain reaction that results in weight loss and blood sugar regulation by:
- Stimulation of insulin release to lower blood sugar
- Decrease appetite and increase satiety by slowing the speed at which food moves through the stomach
How Ozempic helps with PCOS
As we discussed above, since insulin resistance is strongly associated with PCOS, drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro that increasing insulin sensitivity can relieve PCOS symptoms.
In addition, PCOS can also cause metabolic problems that increase your chance of being overweight or obese and make it harder to lose or maintain weight even with diet and exercise changes. The weight loss associated with Ozempic can reduce many PCOS symptoms by reducing androgen levels, which then improve symptoms such as acne and abnormal hair growth.
Fertility problems are common among people with PCOS and weight loss can help with hormonal problems such as irregular menstrual cycles, restore ovulation and optimize fertility.
Although the FDA has not yet approved Ozempic as a treatment for PCOSSemaglutide-based drugs such as Ozempic are becoming increasingly popular among young women suffering from PCOS through platforms such as Tik Tok.
PCOS is a complex condition that can be difficult to manage, and the frustrating lack of tools available may lead young people to find their own solutions. However, it is important to remember that while Ozempic can provide benefits for people with PCOS, it is not a magic cure-all and should only be taken with your doctor’s approval.
Ozempic Side Effects
All medicines have side effects and Ozempic is no exception. Semaglutide-based drugs such as Ozempic often cause minor side effects, which may increase with dose. However, less than 4% of people who stopped taking the drug because of side effects during clinical trials, and most people prescribed the drug find the side effects manageable. Some common side effects include:
- Vomiting
- Motion sickness
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
If the side effects worsen over time, you should consult your doctor.
