In 2017, Ozempic was accepted by the FDA for the usage of aiding weight reduction and managing sort 2 diabetes. The once-weekly injectable remedy, 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 continues to be wanted on security and effectiveness, there’s some proof that Ozempic might present aid for individuals with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
What Is PCOS?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal concern that impacts ladies of their reproductive years. The situation causes many small sacs of fluid to develop alongside the outer fringe of the ovary, often called cysts. These tiny cysts maintain immature eggs often called follicles that fail to launch eggs frequently.
Individuals who have PCOS typically expertise irregular durations that both don’t come each month, or final for a lot of days or perhaps weeks at a time after they do come. Some individuals with PCOS even have an extreme quantity of the hormone known as androgen of their physique.
Whereas we at the moment don’t know the precise explanation for PCOS, individuals with PCOS are extra vulnerable to weight achieve, sort 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 capable of successfully use insulin and thus has points with regulating blood sugar. Insulin is a vital hormone created within the pancreas that’s chargeable for shifting sugar within the physique’s cells to create power.
For individuals 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 growing the probability of weight problems.
Between 50%–70% of individuals with PCOS are insulin resistant, placing them at a better threat of many long-term well being issues related to insulin resistance, reminiscent of sort 2 diabetes, hypertension, weight problems, ldl cholesterol, and liver illness.
Blood sugar regulation is essential with regards to managing PCOS-born insulin resistance. For many who have already included way of life modifications with their eating regimen and train to no avail, medicines 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 identify of a drugs often called semaglutide that stabilizes blood sugar ranges in individuals with sort 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 every week as a subcutaneous injection (that means that it’s injected proper below the pores and skin) that may be self-administered with a preloaded injector pen. Ozempic, and its cousin Wegovy, fall below a category of medicine often called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
GLP-1 is an appetite-regulating hormone that our our bodies naturally produce; medicine like Ozempic prolong the consequences of the hormone as much as every week, fairly than the couple of minutes that GLP-1 sometimes lasts.
Ozempic triggers a series of reactions that lead to weight reduction and blood sugar regulation via:
- Stimulating insulin launch to decrease blood sugar
- Reducing urge for food and growing 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 intently related to PCOS, medicines reminiscent of Ozempic and Mounjaro that improve insulin sensitivity might alleviate PCOS signs.
Furthermore, PCOS may also trigger metabolic issues that elevate the probability of being obese or overweight and make it harder to lose or keep weight even with eating regimen and train modifications. The load loss related to Ozempic can scale back many PCOS signs by reducing androgen ranges, which then improves signs reminiscent of zits and irregular hair progress.
Fertility issues are widespread amongst individuals 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 accepted Ozempic as a remedy for PCOS, semaglutide-based medicine reminiscent of Ozempic are gaining popularity amongst younger ladies affected by PCOS via platforms like TikTok.
PCOS is a posh situation that may be tough to deal with, and the irritating lack of accessible instruments is maybe driving younger individuals to seek out their very own options. Nevertheless, it’s necessary to keep in mind that whereas Ozempic might supply advantages for individuals with PCOS, it isn’t a magical cure-all, and ought to solely be taken along with your physician’s approval.
Ozempic Aspect Results
All medicine 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 because of unwanted effects throughout scientific trials, and most of the people prescribed the drug discover the unwanted effects manageable. Some widespread unwanted effects embody:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Stomach ache
If the unwanted effects worsen over time, you must seek the advice of along with your physician.
