Can Wegovy be used for PCOS?

What is PCOS?

PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome is a common gynaecological condition that affects 8-13% of women in their reproductive years. PCOS is diagnosed using the Rotterdam criteria and the 3 main criteria for a diagnosis are¹:

• Irregular periods – either due to the absent or irregular release of the eggs from the ovaries 
• High androgen levels – excess hormones usually known as ‘male’ hormones which causes symptoms like male-patterned hair growth
• Polycystic ovaries – enlarged ovaries with multiple fluid-filled sacs normally seen on an ultrasound scan

You only need 2 out of 3 of these to be diagnosed with PCOS.

Other associated symptoms of PCOS are¹:

• Acne 
• Weight gain 
• Insulin resistance
• Thinning or hair loss
• Infertility

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a brand name for a medication called semaglutide. Wegovy works similarly to a hormone released in our digestive tract called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). The hormone GLP-1 acts on the body to increase the production of insulin. GLP-1 also impacts an area of the brain which regulates appetite, reducing the urge to eat. This is how Wegovy causes weight loss². 

Wegovy is an injectable medication that you need a prescription for, whether this is from the NHS, a private online pharmacy or a private weight loss clinic. The doses start at 0.25mg and are slowly increased depending on your side effects². Wegovy is only recommended for 2 years of use, nothing longer³. 

Wegovy on the NHS

Wegovy was launched in the UK on the 4th of September 2023 and is available on the NHS under strict criteri⁴. It has been licensed for managing a raised BMI. You can only get Wegovy on the NHS if you have been referred to a specialist weight management service. And you must have at least one raised BMI related health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease and either²:

• BMI 30-34.9 and usual weight loss techniques haven’t worked
• BMI of at least 35  

Wegovy for PCOS

Semaglutide has been researched over the years and shown positive results. A 2022 study on adolescents found that 73% of their participants had a weight loss of more than 5%⁵. Another 2023 study had similar results in 80% of their participants who had an average of 11.5kg weight loss⁶. But it’s not only weight loss, semaglutide can also reduce blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels, which are more common in people with PCOS.⁷

Wegovy insulin resistance PCOS

Insulin resistance and the development of diabetes can be a long-term effect of PCOS, eventually affecting 50-90% of people with PCOS⁸. Wegovy or semaglutide has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and can normalise fasting glucose levels in people with PCOS⁶. 

Is Wegovy approved for PCOS?

Wegovy is not licensed for PCOS alone but it can be used for weight management if weight gain is a symptom of your PCOS. So does Wegovy help with PCOS? Yes, it definitely can have a benefit on your weight if you are struggling with PCOS weight gain as shown by the results of multiple studies. 

Wegovy vs Ozempic 

Wegovy and Ozempic are the same medication – semaglutide. Interestingly, Wegovy is only licensed for managing weight loss in people with a raised BMI. Ozempic on the other hand cannot is only approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetics⁹. 

But in reality they are the same and healthcare professionals often use them interchangeably and they may be swapped if there are shortages.

Summary 

Recently, everywhere on social media, there is either something about “Wegovy and PCOS” or “PCOS and Wegovy”. Before you go searching for a pharmacy or weight loss clinic to prescribe you Wegovy, make sure you do some research. There are side effects and these should be balanced against the benefits. Wegovy can be an amazing life changing medication, but as always, you need to make sure you know all the ins and outs!