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How Ozempic can treat PCOS

The diabetes medication shows promise for improving PCOS symptoms
Heidi Borst
By | Updated on Oct. 1, 2024 Medically reviewed by Lindsey Hudson, APRN, NP-C, CDCES
Ozempic auto-injector | Ozempic for PCOS

Key takeaways

  • Ozempic (semaglutide), a diabetes medication, shows promise in improving PCOS symptoms by promoting weight loss and enhancing insulin sensitivity.

  • Weight loss is crucial for managing PCOS symptoms, as obesity is linked to higher androgen levels and insulin resistance, which can worsen the condition.

  • While Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss or PCOS treatment, it may be prescribed off-label, with ongoing research indicating its potential to improve PCOS symptoms through hormone regulation and metabolism improvement.

  • Studies indicate that semaglutide can lead to significant weight loss and improved hormonal regulation in women with PCOS, although more research is needed to understand its effects fully.

  • While Ozempic is not FDA approved specifically for PCOS or weight loss, patients may seek coverage through insurance for diabetes treatment; however, coverage for PCOS-related use is often not available.

In this article:

Maintaining a healthy weight is tough. In fact, in the United States, 1 in 3 adults is overweight (defined as a body mass index, or BMI, between 25 and 25.99), and two in five are obese (defined as a BMI over 30). Being obese and overweight leads to an increased risk of serious health issues, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, stroke, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and death.

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), is a common women’s health condition that’s linked to obesity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the endocrine disorder affects 8% to 13%  of women of reproductive age, and 38% to 88% are overweight or obese. The condition causes higher levels of androgen hormone production, resulting in symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, acne, excess hair growth, cysts, skin tags, thinning hair, skin darkening, and infertility.

Weight loss is critical to minimizing PCOS symptoms. In addition to eating a healthy diet and regular exercise, certain diabetes medications, including Ozempic, may help. Keep reading to find out how Ozempic works for PCOS.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic (semaglutide) belongs to a class of diabetes medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These medications work by copying the action of a hormone called GLP-1 that’s released by the pancreas after eating. GLP-1 stimulates insulin secretion, decreases appetite, and increases satiety (feeling full and satisfied).

The brand-name medication is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in adults and adolescents over the age of 12 as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes, a condition in which the body does not use insulin correctly, leading to high levels of blood glucose.

Ozempic comes in a prefilled syringe that you inject subcutaneously (under the skin) once a week in the stomach, thigh, or upper arm. A pill version of semaglutide called Rybelsus works the same as Ozempic but in daily doses.

RELATED: Who can take Rybelsus for weight loss?

Wegovy, another weekly injection of semaglutide, is FDA approved for use in patients with obesity, says Minisha Sood, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist at Northwell Health’s Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.

At this time, Ozempic does not have FDA approval for weight loss, but it may be prescribed off-label for this purpose. No FDA approved generic version of semaglutide injection is currently available. Compounded versions of injectable semaglutide are available from compounding pharmacies, but these have not been tested by or approved by the FDA.

Can you take Ozempic for PCOS?

While the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, factors contributing to its onset include chronic inflammation, higher levels of androgens (male sex hormones that impede ovulation), weight gain, and insulin resistance, a precursor to prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes that impairs the body’s ability to use glucose efficiently.

Ozempic and other semaglutide medications have shown promise in women who are overweight or obese with PCOS, according to Dr. Sood, who explains that these medications improve metabolic parameters like weight loss and blood sugar levels. More studies looking at the effect of semaglutide GLP-1 medications on PCOS are underway, and Dr. Sood expects them to show a positive outcome of this class of drugs as a whole.

But does taking Ozempic increase fertility? In short, yes—but indirectly, says Monte Swarup, MD, a board-certified OB-GYN in Chandler, Arizona. It can help because of the link between infertility and obesity, he says, adding that losing weight often helps patients who had stopped ovulating restart their cycle. Ultimately, weight loss can improve fertility in certain situations and make pregnancy safer, says Dr. Swarup.

Related: What is PCOS?

How does Ozempic help PCOS?

GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic improve the symptoms of PCOS in patients through weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity, says Dr. Sood. In one small study, 27 obese women with PCOS who were unable to lose weight through lifestyle changes were given a weekly 0.5-ounce dose of semaglutide for three weeks. Over 80% experienced at least a 5% reduction in their body weight. Even so, more research into the effects of Ozempic for women with PCOS is needed.

A clinical trial on semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, and metformin, a drug used to lower blood sugar levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes, is currently being conducted, says Dr. Swarup. While research is still ongoing, he says, patients have shown a reduction in body weight and metabolic and hormonal parameter improvement with semaglutide. That is, semaglutide has been shown to improve hormone regulation and metabolism, resulting in weight loss.

According to Dr. Sood, other GLP-1s have more data to support their use as weight loss drugs. For example, in a small study, 41 obese but not diabetic women were given exenatide injections (with no lifestyle changes). They experienced modest weight loss and significantly reduced waist circumferences. Research has shown that liraglutide is effective at weight loss and maintenance in individuals with or without Type 2 diabetes. Since obesity and PCOS are linked, these medications can also improve symptoms of PCOS.

RELATED: GLP-1 agonists: Uses, common brands, and safety info

When it comes to the best weight loss medication for PCOS, a 2023 article published in the journal American Family Physician points to Metformin as a first-line treatment for individuals with PCOS who have metabolic issues such as insulin resistance. Dr. Swarup adds that the Type 2 diabetes drug acarbose is also helpful in treating insulin resistance and PCOS. Your best bet? Consult a healthcare provider for treatment options.

RELATED: Ozempic vs. Metformin: Differences, similarities, and which one is better for you

Insulin resistance and PCOS are closely connected, as people with PCOS often have the condition. Insulin resistance makes the body’s cells less responsive to insulin, causing the pancreas to ramp up insulin production. This results in hormonal imbalances and causes the ovaries to overproduce androgens. Excess androgens worsen PCOS symptoms like irregular periods and hirsutism (hair growth on the face, chest, and back).

Insulin resistance can also affect ovarian function, leading to the formation of cysts and irregular ovulation. What’s more, weight gain is common among women with PCOS, which can worsen insulin resistance and lead to the development of Type 2 diabetes.

Will insurance cover Ozempic for PCOS?

Wegovy is the only semaglutide that is FDA approved for treating overweight and obesity, and it may be covered by insurance for individuals with PCOS who meet eligibility requirements, says Dr. Sood. That being said, many insurance plans will not cover weight loss medications, even if you qualify.

While a diagnosis of diabetes (and in some cases, prediabetes) qualifies you for coverage of Ozempic, the drug is not FDA approved for PCOS and weight loss, so health insurance won’t cover it for those conditions, confirms Dr. Swarup.

For accurate Ozempic coverage, be sure to consult with your health insurance provider.

RELATED: How much is Ozempic without insurance?

How to save on Ozempic

The average monthly price of Ozempic (1 mg dose) is $1,315.36, but using SingleCare’s prescription drug discount card can lower the price to $753.85. We’re committed to helping you save on prescriptions. If you’ve never used our discount card, it’s easy! Just follow these three steps to get instant prescription savings the next time you’re picking up a medication:

  1. Download our iOS or Android app or go to our website.
  2. Search for your medication, adjusting for quantity, dosage, and zip code.
  3. Choose the pharmacy closest to you and either print, text, or email yourself a free drug coupon.

At the pharmacy, show your pharmacist the coupon. It’s that simple!

READ NEXT: 8 ways to save money on Ozempic

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