Ozempic and PCOS

While polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can have a number of symptoms, one of the most common complaints is that it can make losing weight more difficult. But there may be good news when it comes to Ozempic^® and PCOS.

Can Ozempic help with PCOS? Possibly. Ozempic — one brand name for semaglutide medication FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes — may positively affect certain PCOS symptoms and support weight loss goals.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the potential benefits of Ozempic for PCOS, along with other similar treatment options like Wegovy^® and metformin.

PCOS is a common hormone disorder in which the ovaries are enlarged and develop numerous small, fluid-filled cysts around the eggs. It affects an estimated five to six million women in the United States, including 10 to 20 percent of women of reproductive age.

The exact causes of PCOS aren’t fully understood. However, it’s thought that the hormonal changes involve factors like:

• Genetics

• Environmental influences

• Insulin resistance

• Hyperandrogenism (higher testosterone levels

Potential risk factors for PCOS can include a family history of PCOS, a person’s race, experiencing weight gain or obesity, prediabetes, or type 1 or 2 diabetes.

Though PCOS can affect women differently, some common signs and symptoms of PCOS are:

• Irregular periods. Many women with PCOS report having irregular, infrequent, or longer-than-normal menstrual cycles.

• Excess androgen levels. Increased testosterone (a predominantly male sex hormone) can lead to increased hair growth on the face, chest, abdomen, and back, as well as issues like acne, oily skin, and thinning hair. 

• Skin changes. PCOS can lead to acanthosis nigricans — darkening skin, particularly along neck creases, in the groin, and underneath breasts. It may also cause skin tags around the armpits or the neck area. 

• Insulin resistance. Having PCOS increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and may manifest through symptoms like fatigue, hunger, and difficulty concentrating. Many women with PCOS experience difficulty regulating blood sugar levels, which can lead to increased insulin production.

• Fertility issues. It’s not uncommon to experience difficulty conceiving or infertility due to irregular ovulation or anovulation (lack of ovulation).

Additionally, women with PCOS may experience unintentional weight gain, most often around the abdomen, which may be harder to lose despite changes in nutrition and exercise habits.

In fact, research has found that over 50 percent of women with PCOS deal with excess weight or obesity. This can be frustrating, leading many PCOS patients to wonder what they’re doing wrong (spoiler alert: probably nothing!).

Ozempic is approved for the management of type 2 diabetes, but it’s shown promising results in improving insulin sensitivity, reducing body weight, and improving menstrual regularity in women with PCOS.

Ozempic belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It helps increase insulin and decrease glucagon release, improving blood glucose levels.

As such, these types of medications could play a crucial role in the therapeutic landscape of PCOS, offering a multifaceted approach to addressing both the metabolic and reproductive aspects of the disorder.

Currently, there are no PCOS medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Instead, other medications are often used off-label to treat the condition, like:

• Contraceptives (birth control pills)

• Antiandrogens

• Insulin sensitizers

• Ovulation inducers

If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS or have any of the symptoms, get in touch with your healthcare provider to discuss treatment options.

What the Research Says on Ozempic for PCOS

One study found that injectable GLP-1 medications like Ozempic helped improve various metabolic parameters of women with PCOS, such as:

• Weight loss

• Insulin sensitivity

• More normalized hormonal balance

They also appeared to be associated with improvements in menstrual regularity and fertility.

In another 2023 study, 27 women with obesity and PCOS who didn’t find success in weight loss through lifestyle modification were treated with semaglutide, receiving a 0.5-milligram (mg) injection once a week.

After three months of weekly treatment, the average body weight reduction was roughly 15 pounds, with minimal side effects reported. Overall, around 80 percent of those with obesity saw at least a five percent reduction in body weight.

This is significant for several reasons.

Excess Body Weight and PCOS

International guidelines for the treatment of obesity among women with PCOS recommend an initial weight loss of at least five to 15 percent to improve:

• Hormonal imbalances

• Menstrual regularity

• Ovulation

• Insulin resistance

• Elevated cholesterol 

To increase the chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy, at least 10 percent weight loss is generally recommended.

Further, another study on insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS suggested that combining GLP-1 drugs with metformin — a diabetes medication sometimes used off-label for weight loss — may work even better than either one alone.

More clinical trials are needed to understand the potential of semaglutide and Ozempic for PCOS and weight loss. Having said that, the currently available evidence suggests that Ozempic for PCOS — and possibly even the addition of metformin — may support many women facing difficulty losing a substantial amount of weight.

Ozempic is only approved by the FDA for treating type 2 diabetes. But some providers prescribe it off-label (meaning it’s prescribed for reasons other than its FDA-approved purpose) for obesity treatment.

If you’re interested in exploring weight loss medications or other options to support your weight loss goals, speak with your healthcare provider. They can help determine what’s safe and appropriate for you.

Our blog has tips for how to break through a weight loss plateau.

Does Ozempic help PCOS? Maybe. Early research suggests that Ozempic may offer much-needed support for some women with PCOS who are trying to lose weight.

Either way, it’s important to prioritize healthy lifestyle habits as the foundation for pursuing your weight loss goals. We like to focus on a holistic approach to healthy living — including medication when appropriate — to support both weight loss goals and PCOS symptom management.

Other Weight Loss Medications for Women With PCOS

While Ozempic may help with weight and blood sugar management in some people with PCOS, it’s not the only PCOS treatment option. Other GLP-1 medications to consider include:

• Wegovy^®. This once-weekly injection contains the active ingredient semaglutide and is FDA-approved for weight loss in those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more or 27 or more with a weight-related health condition. In a 68-week Wegovy^® clinical trial, participants lost up to 20 percent of their body weight.

• Saxenda^®. This daily injection contains liraglutide and is FDA-approved for obesity treatment. It works by helping regulate appetite and feelings of fullness.

• Victoza^®. Victoza — which also contains liraglutide — is approved to treat type 2 diabetes. It’s sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss.

• Generic liraglutide. The generic version of Saxenda and Victoza contains the same active ingredient but is often more affordable. Our blog compares liraglutide versus semaglutide.

• Zepbound^®. This once-weekly injection contains tirzepatide, which targets both GLP-1 and GIP (gastric inhibitory polypeptide) receptors to support appetite control and weight loss.

• Mounjaro^®. Mounjaro also contains the active ingredient tirzepatide. It’s FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes but is sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss.

There are also oral medications for weight management to consider. In addition to some of the GLP-1s above, Hers offers access to personalized oral weight loss medication kits, which may include some combination of the following medications, depending on what your provider determines is the best fit:

• Bupropion. Bupropion is an antidepressant that can be prescribed off-label in combination with other medications to help support weight loss.

• Metformin. Metformin is FDA-approved as a diabetes drug and sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss and PCOS.

• Topiramate. Topiramate is an antiseizure drug that’s prescribed off-label for weight loss. It suppresses appetite, which can make you feel fuller for longer.

• Naltrexone. Naltrexone reduces cravings for alcohol and opioids. It can help with weight loss and management when combined with other medications.

Some kits may include one or more of the daily pills listed above, along with vitamin B12. Your care team will recommend a weight loss plan personalized to your weight loss goals and health history.

As far as effectiveness, Hers customers taking oral medications alongside healthy lifestyle changes report losing an average of 15 pounds or roughly 8.4 percent of their body weight in the first six months.*

*Based on self-reported data as of March 2025 from approximately 1,172 Hers customers on a personalized treatment plan, including oral medication kits, along with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. Customers reported their weight at their initial medical consultation and again at their check-in about six months later.

Optimal Nutrition

Nutrition is foundational to weight loss and long-term well-being. Maintaining a calorie deficit (generally around 500 to 750 calories per day less than you normally consume, either from less food intake, more exercise, or both) is a key component of weight loss. But optimal nutrition is even more important.

Do your best to choose nutrient-dense foods most of the time, including an array of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, and lean proteins.

Avoid ultra-processed foods — like sugary beverages, potato chips, pastries, and hot dogs — which have been linked to a higher risk of obesity as well as high cholesterol and high blood pressure (hypertension).

Daily Movement

Regular exercise helps your body reach and maintain a healthy body weight while moderating blood pressure and reducing your risk of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

It’s also great for your mental health, as physical activity releases endorphins — aka “happy hormones” — that boost your mood.

Experts recommend a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise on a weekly basis. Additionally, it’s suggested to do resistance training involving all major muscle groups at least twice a week.

For weight loss, the aerobic activity recommendation increases to 225 to 420 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. This is a lot, so start where you’re at and slowly work your way up.

Aim for daily movement through activities you enjoy. This might include:

• Doing martial arts

• Swimming laps

• Riding your bike

• Lifting weights at the gym

• Joining a group fitness class

• Taking your dog for a brisk walk

Our guide has tips for how to start working out if you need more ideas and motivation.

Better Sleep

Sleep is a core aspect of health and wellness. It’s your body’s designated time for rest, rejuvenation, and repair. And as it turns out, sleep affects weight loss, too.

When you don’t catch enough Zs, it can throw appetite-regulating hormones out of balance and make it harder to ignore less-healthy cravings.

Shoot for seven to nine hours of quality sleep per night. If this sounds challenging, start by creating a consistent sleep-wake schedule. Incorporate blackout curtains, cozy pajamas, soft bedding, and a white noise machine if needed.

It’s also helpful to avoid using technology, eating large meals, intense exercise, caffeine, and alcohol close to bedtime.

Adequate Hydration

Staying hydrated is essential for everyday bodily processes, like digestion, electrolyte and pH balance, and temperature regulation.

It’s also a vital component of weight loss and healthy weight management. Drinking water helps promote the breakdown of fat, curb appetite, and prevent overeating, especially when you hydrate right before and during meals.

Our best advice is to keep a reusable water bottle with you all day to refill as needed. If you get bored with plain water, try infusing it with lemon wedges or cucumber slices, or swap it for herbal tea or unsweetened seltzer.

Ozempic has proven successful in helping many women (and men) achieve their weight loss goals when paired with a healthy lifestyle. But does Ozempic work for PCOS weight loss? It might help.

Here’s what to keep in mind when it comes to the effects of Ozempic and PCOS weight loss:

• Research is still ongoing. Though we need more data regarding the benefits of Ozempic for women with PCOS, what we know so far is promising. More research on this topic is on the horizon but hasn’t been released yet. 

• Practice healthy lifestyle changes. Other daily habits — like good nutrition, regular exercise, hydration, and better sleep — are important for general wellness, weight loss, and possibly even PCOS symptom management. 

• Seek medical guidance. Before adding anything new to your weight loss routine, such as Ozempic or other GLP-1 receptor agonists, consult your healthcare provider or an endocrinology specialist to discuss treatment options.

If you’re interested in exploring weight loss drugs that align with your personalized weight loss goals, take our free online assessment to connect with a licensed healthcare provider through our women’s health platform.

Ozempic^® and Wegovy^® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Hims, Inc. is not affiliated with or endorsed by Novo Nordisk A/S.