Can Ozempic be used for PCOS?
In this article
What's the lowdown?
Ozempic is a brand name for a medication called semaglutide
This medication has been approved for use in people with type 2 diabetes to regulate blood sugar levels
An extra benefit of Ozempic is also weight loss
This medication is now also being used by people with PCOS to help improve insulin sensitivity and weight loss (insulin resistance and weight gain are symptoms of PCOS)
What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a gynaecological condition that can cause irregular periods, fertility issues, male-patterned hair growth, acne, oily skin or weight gain. These symptoms are triggered by a hormonal imbalance in the body including higher levels of testosterone in the body than normal. 8-13% of women in their fertile years may have PCOS1.
Fun fact: Testosterone is not just a male hormone. Women do in fact have testosterone in the body, just at lower levels than men.
What is Ozempic
Ozempic is the brand name for semaglutide, a medication licensed for use in Type 2 diabetics (T2DM) to lower blood sugar level2.
You might also hear semaglutide referred to as Wegovy, another brand name. But more on Wegovy here!
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It mimics the actions of the GLP-1 hormone in the body which is normally released by our gastrointestinal tract when we eat. One of the many roles of GLP-1 is to stimulate the production of insulin. Insulin’s main action is to reduce the sugar levels in our blood. The increased levels of GLP-1 also reduces appetite. This is why people using Ozempic have noticed weight loss3.
Ozempic is a prescription injectable medication that comes in pre-filled syringes. It is given in the upper thigh or arm, usually starting with a dose of 0.25mg and slowly increasing with specialist input2.
Ozempic for PCOS
Now the question you have been waiting for. Is ozempic approved for PCOS?
Ozempic has not received FDA or MHRA approval for the use in PCOS which means you probably won’t be able to get this on the NHS for weight loss. But Ozempic is being sold off-label at pharmacies or clinics for weight loss in people without type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic for PCOS weight loss
Ozempic is licensed to be used for weight loss, but could be used “off license” for PCOS.
There have been multiple studies that have shown positive results of semaglutide on weight loss. A 2022 study looking at 12-18-year-olds found that 73% of the participants using semaglutide achieved a weight loss of over 5%4….wow. In 2023 a study found that almost 80% of their participants with PCOS achieved greater than 5% weight loss, with an average of 11.5kg weight loss. They also found that 80% of the participants responsive to semaglutide achieved a normalisation in their periods too5.
The worry about using Ozempic off license is that there is not enough evidence around the long-term risks of the medication along with the lack of regulation around its use6.
Semaglutide should also not be used in anyone with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 or anyone with a family history of this condition. It is a condition where multiple tumours develop in the glands around the body. It is also advised to use in caution with diabetic retinopathy, history of pancreatitis and severe congestive heart failure7.
Ozempic for insulin resistance PCOS
A key feature of PCOS is the development of insulin resistance. 50-90% of people with PCOS also experience insulin resistance alongside the condition8. Insulin resistance is when the body becomes resistant to the insulin it produces. As a result, the body tries to overcome this barrier by producing more insulin, but at the same time, more testosterone is also produced. This means the body is unable to regulate its blood sugars as it is not responding to insulin. This can then lead to the development of T2DM in people with PCOS.
Ozempic can be used to increase the insulin sensitivity for this aspect of PCOS. You could be prescribed Ozempic to treat your T2DM and facilitate weight loss if you have PCOS. However, this would be up to your diabetic doctor (endocrinologist) or via NHS weight loss services through your GP.
Ozempic and metformin together for PCOS
Research has found that there are no issues with the giving both semaglutide and metformin together9. At times these medications can be prescribed together for the treatment of insulin resistance and T2DM.
Is Ozempic good for PCOS?
While I’m sure you would love a straightforward answer, I sadly cannot give you one as Ozempic has not been licensed specifically for its use in PCOS. It has however been shown to reduce weight and improve insulin resistance which is an aspect of PCOS. Maintaining a healthy weight or weight loss of around 10% has also been found to improve insulin sensitivity and menstrual regulation in people with PCOS10. We’re hoping in the future, Ozempic may become a standard treatment for PCOS.
Summary
Ozempic for PCOS has been gaining popularity on social media as a new miracle weight loss drug.
We would recommend you do your reading before going down this route. There are also some worries on counterfeit Ozempic medications hitting the street. Be aware and careful!
If you’re interested in finding out more, we recommend speaking to the experts at Luna Clinic who specialise in both PCOS and weight loss.
Dr Fatema Dawoodbhoy
Fatema is currently training in London as an Academic doctor, with a special interest in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She is passionate about championing women to understand their bodies better and prioritise their health. She understands the importance of clinically accurate articles and has been writing engaging and educative medical content for 5 years.
Our medical review process
This article has been medically reviewed for factual and up to date information by a Lowdown doctor.