Grace Hamilton, 27, experienced PCOS symptoms for over a decade before seeing improvements with GLP-1 drug semaglutide in a trial in 2024. She lost 50 pounds, saw hair regrowth, and reported mental health improvements. PCOS affects 5-6 million women in the US, with metabolic issues like insulin resistance common.

Dr. Melanie Cree has studied GLP-1s in adolescents with PCOS for over 10 years. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are researching GLP-1s for various conditions but not specifically for PCOS due to a lack of FDA-established goals in clinical trials. Longer and larger trials are needed to understand the drugs’ effects fully.

GLP-1s like semaglutide improve insulin sensitivity, indirectly lowering testosterone in PCOS patients. An ongoing study by Dr. Cree has shown weight loss and reduced testosterone levels in some patients. More research is required to understand the full impact of GLP-1s on PCOS symptoms and how they differ among patients.

Haley Sipes, a 31-year-old mother, saw significant improvements in PCOS symptoms with Zepbound, losing over 60 pounds. Insurance coverage is a barrier for many PCOS patients seeking GLP-1s, with some resorting to compounding pharmacies for cheaper unapproved versions. More research is needed to determine the long-term effects and resolution of PCOS symptoms.

Anecdotal evidence suggests GLP-1s may improve PCOS symptoms beyond weight loss. Dr. Alyssa Dominguez notes insurance coverage challenges for PCOS patients accessing GLP-1s. Nabeelah Karim found relief from PCOS symptoms with Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro but faced high out-of-pocket costs due to insurance coverage issues.

Read more at CNBC: Weight loss drugs could help treat PCOS