Can Wegovy (Ozempic) treat polycystic ovary syndrome?
Could the injectable weight loss drug Wegovy (Ozempic) help treat polycystic ovary syndrome? Let's find out.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects people with ovaries and causes hormone changes in the body. According to the NHS, it may '[affect] around 1 in every 10 women in the UK'.¹
Despite it being very common, there is no known cure for PCOS. The condition can be managed through lifestyle changes – but by and large, people with PCOS are stuck with the symptoms for life. These symptoms can include irregular periods, weight gain, hair thinning and excessive hair growth on the body.
However, there is some evidence to suggest that the diabetes drug Ozempic (and its obesity-treating counterpart Wegovy) may help to alleviate the symptoms of PCOS.
Could these drugs be a lifeline for people with PCOS who struggle to manage the condition? Let's find out.
A word about Wegovy and Ozempic
In this article, we mention both Wegovy and Ozempic. These are injectable medications with the same active ingredient (semaglutide).
However, there's an important distinction between the two. Ozempic is licensed in the UK for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Wegovy, on the other hand, is approved to help people with obesity lose weight.
Some clinics and online doctors prescribe Ozempic for weight loss. However, this is not what the drug is licensed for and is considered an 'off-label' use.
Why might Wegovy work for PCOS?
PCOS is a complicated condition that isn't fully understood. However, we do know that insulin resistance plays a big part.
Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. People with PCOS, like those with type 2 diabetes, have insulin resistance. This means that while their bodies make insulin, they can't always use it effectively.
If the body can't use insulin, it tends to overcompensate by making more of it. In people with PCOS, this excess insulin stimulates the ovaries to make androgens. These are the so-called 'male' hormones that cause symptoms like excess hair growth and irregular periods.
This is where drugs semaglutide-based drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic could help. Both are part of a class of drugs called 'GLP-1 receptor agonists', which help to regulate insulin and blood sugar levels in the body.
By improving insulin sensitivity, Ozempic and Wegovy may help to alleviate the symptoms of PCOS. However, the evidence we have to support this is largely anecdotal (based on word of mouth). More research is needed before we can make firm conclusions.
We do know, however, that semaglutide helps with weight loss – and weight loss is a crucial tool in managing PCOS.
Many people with PCOS find it difficult to lose weight. And, if they're already living with obesity, a drug like Wegovy could be a powerful aid in helping them achieve a healthy weight.
What studies exist on PCOS and Wegovy?
There have been a couple of notable studies on the potential benefits of semaglutide for PCOS.
The first, from 2021, focused on weighing up evidence from other studies. It found promising links between semaglutide and PCOS symptoms. For instance, semaglutide was found to have the potential to improve insulin sensitivity, fertility (ease of getting pregnant) and menstrual regularity (consistency of periods).²
The second study was from 2023. This looked at 27 patients with PCOS and obesity who were treated using semaglutide over six months. Most of these patients saw a significant reduction in body weight and improvements in menstrual regularity.³
Can I get a Wegovy prescription to treat PCOS?
Wegovy is not licensed as a treatment for PCOS. This means you can't get a prescription for Wegovy to treat PCOS and PCOS alone.
However, if you have PCOS and obesity, you may be eligible to take Wegovy as a weight loss treatment.
And because PCOS is considered an obesity-related condition, this means you may have a lower BMI cut-off for treatment (27 instead of the usual 30).
Sources
1. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/
2. Abdalla, M.A. et al. (2021) "The potential role of incretin-based therapies for polycystic ovary syndrome: a narrative review of the current evidence" Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism, 12 https://doi.org/10.1177/2042018821989238
3. Carmina, E. and Longo, R.A. (2023) "Semaglutide Treatment of Excessive Body Weight in Obese PCOS Patients Unresponsive to Lifestyle Programs" Journal of Clinical Medicine 12(18)
