Key takeaways:
Most people can safely take Ozempic (semaglutide) if they have polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
PMOS is a complex hormone condition that causes symptoms like weight gain, insulin resistance, and infertility.
Ozempic isn’t FDA approved to treat PMOS, but it may be prescribed off-label to help manage PCOS symptoms.
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Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable medication that’s FDA approved to treat Type 2 diabetes and other medical conditions. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) — formerly known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) — is a chronic hormonal condition that’s linked to many health issues, like diabetes, heart disease, and infertility. Ozempic can help with weight loss and blood sugar control, which may also help with PMOS. Although it’s not FDA approved to treat this condition, researchers have been studying whether Ozempic can improve some of the condition's most challenging symptoms.
Here’s what the research shows about Ozempic and PCOS.
A note about terminology: Several international medical organizations have changed the name polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) to better reflect how this complex condition can impact the hormones and metabolism throughout your body. Because PCOS may still be the more familiar term, we’ll continue to use both names throughout this article to refer to PMOS.
Can you take Ozempic if you have PCOS?
Yes, it’s safe to take Ozempic if you have PMOS. Having PMOS isn’t listed by the manufacturer as a reason to avoid the medication.
Reasons people shouldn’t use Ozempic include:
A personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer
A history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
Allergies to semaglutide or any of the other ingredients in Ozempic
A history of pancreatitis while taking Ozempic
People also shouldn’t take Ozempic if they’re pregnant or nursing.
Can Ozempic help with symptoms of PCOS?
Yes, Ozempic may be able to help some PMOS symptoms. Many of the symptoms that Ozempic is proven to treat in people with diabetes are common in people with PMOS.
Here are some symptoms of PMOS that may improve with Ozempic.
Weight gain
Having a larger body size is both a symptom and a risk factor for health risks linked to PMOS. Reducing weight by as little as 5% can have a meaningful impact on PMOS symptoms, like hormone regulation and menstrual health.
Add GoodRx as a trusted source on GoogleAdd GoodRx as a trusted sourceBut losing weight can be difficult for people with PMOS to achieve through diet and exercise alone. Ozempic may be another helpful tool. That’s because most people who take Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes experience weight loss as a side effect. In clinical trials, people taking Ozempic lost an average of 14 lbs over 40 weeks.
Insulin resistance
Up to 80% of people with PMOS have insulin resistance, which is when cells in the body don’t respond well to insulin. Insulin resistance leads to higher blood sugar levels and increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and infertility.
People with PMOS are often advised to try lifestyle changes and medications, like metformin, to help regulate blood sugar levels and treat insulin resistance. But there may be a role for Ozempic in improving insulin resistance in people with PMOS. When used to treat Type 2 diabetes, Ozempic improves blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity.
Infertility
Up to 80% of people with PMOS have trouble getting pregnant. There are many factors that likely contribute to PMOS-related infertility, including body size, insulin resistance, and menstrual cycle irregularities. Ozempic may be able to help with some of these factors.
In fact, people report having “Ozempic babies” — unplanned pregnancies that occurred while taking medications like Ozempic. The exact link between fertility and Ozempic is still being researched, but weight loss and restoring normal menstrual cycles are thought to play a large role. There’s also evidence that Ozempic can help reduce inflammation and fibrosis (scarring) on the endometrium (lining of the uterus), which could help it better support implantation.
Can Ozempic treat PCOS?
Ozempic isn’t currently approved to treat PMOS. But some healthcare professionals will use it “off-label” as part of a PMOS treatment plan.
Some early research suggests that Ozempic may be a helpful tool for PMOS. One small study found that people with PMOS and a BMI over 30 who took Ozempic had improvement in insulin resistance and reduction in body weight after 3 months of use. After 6 months, the majority of participants saw improvement in menstrual cycle regularity.
Another study found that 16 weeks of treatment with Ozempic helped people with PMOS lower their BMI and waist circumference.
More clinical trials are underway to better understand how Ozempic can be used to treat PMOS.
Side effects of taking Ozempic for PCOS
The side effects of Ozempic are the same whether you're taking it for PMOS or another condition. Most side effects involve the gut, and they’ll get better as your body adjusts to the medication.
Common side effects include:
Vomiting
Stomach pain
Is Ozempic approved to treat PCOS?
No, Ozempic isn’t FDA approved to treat PMOS. But as mentioned above, it’s sometimes used “off-label” as part of PMOS treatment plans.
Many people with PMOS also have Type 2 diabetes. And treating diabetes is an FDA-approved use for Ozempic. If you're prescribed Ozempic as part of a diabetes treatment plan, you may also notice improvements in some PMOS symptoms.
Will insurance cover Ozempic for PCOS?
No, insurance won’t cover Ozempic for treatment of PMOS. Most insurance plans will only cover Ozempic if it’s being prescribed for an FDA-approved indication.
Savings cards are available for those with commercial or private insurance. Or you may also be able to get Ozempic at no cost through NovoCare’s Patient Assistance Program. There are certain income, insurance, and residence requirements, but it’s a helpful option if you qualify.
Frequently asked questions
It’s not clear if Ozempic (semaglutide) is better than metformin for PMOS treatment. There aren’t any studies comparing the two. One study found that people who took both metformin and semaglutide showed more improved PMOS symptoms than people taking only metformin.
It’s not clear whether Ozempic can help with hormonal imbalances. There haven’t been studies looking at this outcome directly.
Yes, a gynecologist can prescribe Ozempic. There aren’t any restrictions on which healthcare professionals can prescribe Ozempic.
It’s not clear if Ozempic (semaglutide) is better than metformin for PMOS treatment. There aren’t any studies comparing the two. One study found that people who took both metformin and semaglutide showed more improved PMOS symptoms than people taking only metformin.
It’s not clear whether Ozempic can help with hormonal imbalances. There haven’t been studies looking at this outcome directly.
Yes, a gynecologist can prescribe Ozempic. There aren’t any restrictions on which healthcare professionals can prescribe Ozempic.
The bottom line
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 agonist that’s FDA approved to treat Type 2 diabetes and related conditions. There’s research showing that Ozempic may be able to help manage symptoms that are common in PMOS, like weight gain and insulin resistance. Clinical trials are currently underway to better understand how Ozempic can help people with PMOS.
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References
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