In 2017, Ozempic was authorized by the FDA for the usage of aiding weight reduction and managing kind 2 diabetes. The once-weekly injectable treatment, with lively ingredient semaglutide, has been used for over a decade to assist handle blood sugar in diabetes sufferers. Nevertheless, Ozempic, and its different model identify cousin Wegovy, might produce other makes use of.
Whereas testing remains to be wanted on security and effectiveness, there’s some proof that Ozempic might present reduction for folks with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
What Is PCOS?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal challenge that impacts ladies of their reproductive years. The situation causes many small sacs of fluid to develop alongside the outer fringe of the ovary, referred to as cysts. These tiny cysts maintain immature eggs referred to as follicles that fail to launch eggs recurrently.
Individuals who have PCOS typically expertise irregular intervals that both don’t come each month, or final for a lot of days or even weeks at a time once they do come. Some folks with PCOS even have an extreme quantity of the hormone referred to as androgen of their physique.
Whereas we presently don’t know the precise reason behind PCOS, folks with PCOS are extra liable to weight achieve, kind 2 diabetes, and coronary heart illness – which is the place Ozempic may assist.
PCOS and Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is a situation the place the physique isn’t capable of successfully use insulin and thus has points with regulating blood sugar. Insulin is an important hormone created within the pancreas that’s chargeable for shifting sugar within the physique’s cells to create vitality.
For folks with insulin resistance, the pancreas nonetheless produces insulin, however the physique is unable to make use of it to retailer extra blood sugar. When the blood sugar stays excessive, a lot of the surplus is saved as fats cells, leading to weight achieve and rising the probability of weight problems.
Between 50%–70% of individuals with PCOS are insulin resistant, placing them at the next danger of many long-term well being issues related to insulin resistance, reminiscent of kind 2 diabetes, hypertension, weight problems, ldl cholesterol, and liver illness.
Blood sugar regulation is essential in relation to managing PCOS-born insulin resistance. For many who have already included way of life adjustments with their weight loss program and train to no avail, medicines like a diabetes drug referred to as metformin could also be used to assist regulate blood sugar.
How Ozempic and Different Semaglutides Work
Ozempic is the model identify of a medicine referred to as semaglutide that stabilizes blood sugar ranges in folks with kind 2 diabetes. When medical doctors observed weight reduction in sufferers who have been on the drug to handle their diabetes, they started prescribing off-label to help with weight reduction and deal with the well being issues related to weight problems.
Ozempic is run as soon as per week as a subcutaneous injection (that means that it’s injected proper beneath the pores and skin) that may be self-administered with a preloaded injector pen. Ozempic, and its cousin Wegovy, fall beneath a category of medicine referred to as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
GLP-1 is an appetite-regulating hormone that our our bodies naturally produce; medication like Ozempic lengthen the consequences of the hormone as much as per week, quite than the couple of minutes that GLP-1 usually lasts.
Ozempic triggers a sequence of reactions that lead to weight reduction and blood sugar regulation by way of:
- Stimulating insulin launch to decrease blood sugar
- Reducing urge for food and rising satiety by slowing down the velocity at which meals strikes by way of the abdomen
How Ozempic Helps With PCOS
As we mentioned above, since insulin resistance is carefully related to PCOS, medicines reminiscent of Ozempic and Mounjaro that improve insulin sensitivity might alleviate PCOS signs.
Furthermore, PCOS also can trigger metabolic issues that elevate the probability of being chubby or overweight and make it tougher to lose or preserve weight even with weight loss program and train adjustments. The burden loss related to Ozempic can scale back many PCOS signs by decreasing androgen ranges, which then improves signs reminiscent of zits and irregular hair progress.
Fertility issues are widespread amongst folks with PCOS, and weight reduction may help with hormonal issues like irregular menstrual cycles, restore ovulation, and optimize fertility.
Though the FDA has not but authorized Ozempic as a therapy for PCOS, semaglutide-based medication reminiscent of Ozempic are rising in popularity amongst younger ladies affected by PCOS by way of platforms like TikTok.
PCOS is a fancy situation that may be tough to deal with, and the irritating lack of obtainable instruments is probably driving younger folks to seek out their very own options. Nevertheless, it’s necessary to keep in mind that whereas Ozempic might provide advantages for folks with PCOS, it isn’t a magical cure-all, and ought to solely be taken together with your physician’s approval.
Ozempic Aspect Results
All medication have unwanted effects, and Ozempic isn’t any exception. Semaglutide-based medicines like Ozempic typically trigger minor unwanted effects, which may improve with the dosage. Nevertheless, lower than 4% of individuals stopped taking the drug as a result of unwanted effects throughout medical trials, and most of the people prescribed the drug discover the unwanted effects manageable. Some widespread unwanted effects embrace:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Stomach ache
If the unwanted effects worsen over time, it’s best to seek the advice of together with your physician.
