In 2017, Ozempic was authorized by the FDA for the usage of aiding weight reduction and managing kind 2 diabetes. The once-weekly injectable remedy, with energetic ingredient semaglutide, has been used for over a decade to assist handle blood sugar in diabetes sufferers. Nevertheless, Ozempic, and its different model title cousin Wegovy, could produce other makes use of.
Whereas testing continues to be wanted on security and effectiveness, there may be some proof that Ozempic could present reduction for folks with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
What Is PCOS?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal situation that impacts girls 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 commonly.
Individuals who have PCOS usually expertise irregular durations that both don’t come each month, or final for a lot of days or even weeks at a time after they do come. Some folks with PCOS even have an extreme quantity of the hormone known as androgen of their physique.
Whereas we presently don’t know the precise reason for PCOS, folks with PCOS are extra vulnerable to weight achieve, kind 2 diabetes, and coronary heart illness – which is the place Ozempic would possibly assist.
PCOS and Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is a situation the place the physique isn’t in a position to 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 chance of weight problems.
Between 50%–70% of individuals with PCOS are insulin resistant, placing them at a better danger of many long-term well being issues related to insulin resistance, corresponding to kind 2 diabetes, hypertension, weight problems, ldl cholesterol, and liver illness.
Blood sugar regulation is vital in terms of managing PCOS-born insulin resistance. For many who have already integrated life-style adjustments with their food regimen and train to no avail, drugs like a diabetes drug known as metformin could also be used to assist regulate blood sugar.
How Ozempic and Different Semaglutides Work
Ozempic is the model title of a drugs referred to as semaglutide that stabilizes blood sugar ranges in folks with kind 2 diabetes. When docs 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 (which 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 results of the hormone as much as per week, relatively than the jiffy that GLP-1 usually lasts.
Ozempic triggers a series of reactions that end in weight reduction and blood sugar regulation via:
- Stimulating insulin launch to decrease blood sugar
- Reducing urge for food and rising satiety by slowing down the velocity at which meals strikes via the abdomen
How Ozempic Helps With PCOS
As we mentioned above, since insulin resistance is carefully related to PCOS, drugs corresponding to Ozempic and Mounjaro that improve insulin sensitivity could alleviate PCOS signs.
Furthermore, PCOS may trigger metabolic issues that elevate the chance of being obese or overweight and make it harder to lose or keep weight even with food regimen and train adjustments. The burden loss related to Ozempic can cut back many PCOS signs by decreasing androgen ranges, which then improves signs corresponding to pimples and irregular hair progress.
Fertility issues are widespread amongst folks with PCOS, and weight reduction might 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 corresponding to Ozempic are rising in popularity amongst younger girls affected by PCOS via platforms like TikTok.
PCOS is a fancy situation that may be troublesome to deal with, and the irritating lack of obtainable instruments is maybe driving younger folks to search out their very own options. Nevertheless, it’s vital to keep in mind that whereas Ozempic could 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 negative effects, and Ozempic isn’t any exception. Semaglutide-based drugs like Ozempic usually trigger minor negative effects, which may improve with the dosage. Nevertheless, lower than 4% of individuals stopped taking the drug as a result of negative effects throughout scientific trials, and most of the people prescribed the drug discover the negative effects manageable. Some widespread negative effects embody:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Stomach ache
If the negative effects worsen over time, it’s best to seek the advice of together with your physician.
