Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are trending big time right now. You likely know someone who has seemingly shrunk overnight and found out they took this “magic” drug. Or maybe you watched an influencer inject themselves on TikTok and go from a size 20 to 12 in months. Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, these drugs are also popular with socialites and celebs like Chelsea Handler, Khloe Kardashian, and Elon Musk. If you have PCOS and are struggling with your weight or other metabolic issues, you may be wondering if Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound are right for you. Read on to learn more about these medications for PCOS, including the pros and cons.
*updated 8.21.24
PCOS And Metabolic Phenotype
In order to understand if these medications could be helpful for PCOS, it’s important to first understand the different PCOS phenotypes – as PCOS is not a one-size-fits-all condition. The most common phenotype is called phenotype A or classic PCOS. This type has higher rates of metabolic disorders, including risk of diabetes and cardiovascular heart disease. Signs and symptoms can include obesity, visceral abdominal fat, hypertension, greater insulin resistance, fatty liver, elevated lipids, and elevated blood sugar. Up to 70% of PCOS patients are obese, and 50-90% of PCOS patients have insulin resistance. Further, as per the CDC, 50% of PCOS patients get prediabetes or diabetes by age 40.