A new study has found that GLP-1s could help manage symptoms of POCS, a type of hormone imbalance that can cause irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne and infertility.
Ozempic, Mounjaro and other GLP-1 medications have whipped the world into a fat-loss frenzy, with celebrities like Meghan Trainor and Elon Musk admitting to turning to drugs to achieve their body goals.
These drugs work by mimicking the natural hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), stimulating insulin release, slowing stomach emptying and reducing the liver’s glucose production, which improves blood sugar levels and promotes weight loss.
Now, new research from birth control app Natural Cycles has found that GLP-1s could also aid women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) symptoms, including significant weight loss, better insulin sensitivity and more regular menstrual cycles.
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The link between GLP-1s and PCOS
Natural Cycles recently surveyed users to find out how GLP-1s are affecting their bodies. The results? Striking.
- 43% of women with PCOS who had started on a GLP-1 reported menstrual changes
- Of those, 64% noticed more predictable periods, while others reported shorter or more frequent cycles
- Even 27% of all users, including those without PCOS, noticed some shift in their cycles
“We were surprised by just how many women reported cycle changes,” Dr Kerry Krauss, OB-GYN and senior medical advisor at Natural Cycles, notes. “It really highlights that these medications might be impacting reproductive hormones in a way we haven’t fully explored yet.”
Could Ozempic help manage PCOS symptoms?
Insulin resistance is a key driver of PCOS symptoms — from irregular ovulation to elevated testosterone. That’s where GLP-1s come in.
“These medications slow gastric emptying and increase insulin sensitivity,” explains Dr Krauss. “For women with PCOS, that often translates into weight loss, improved ovulation and lower androgen levels — which can mean fewer breakouts, reduced body and facial hair growth and better fertility outcomes.”
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There’s also emerging evidence that GLP-1s can directly lower testosterone levels, a hormone often elevated in PCOS. “We’ve seen some early data suggesting that GLP-1s can help decrease androgens, which is huge,” says Dr Krauss. “That could help with acne, hair growth and mood — all common struggles for women with PCOS.”
As hopeful as the early data looks, it’s far from conclusive. “We need much larger, longer-term studies,” Dr Krauss says. “Right now, we’re working with small clinical trials and anecdotal reports. But what we are seeing is very promising.”
For example, one study found that combining a GLP-1 drug with metformin (a common PCOS medication) led to greater weight loss and better hormonal balance than metformin alone.
Still, Dr Krauss is clear: “GLP-1s aren’t a magic fix. They work best alongside lifestyle changes and with care from a provider who understands the full picture of PCOS, not just weight or glucose levels.”
“What I want women to know,” she adds, “is that there are options. You deserve a doctor who listens. You deserve treatments that reflect the complexity of your condition. And you deserve research that prioritises your health, not just your weight.”
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Who shouldn’t use Ozempic and other GLP-1s?
Before anyone rushes to their GP, it’s important to know GLP-1s aren’t suitable for all.
“Women with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 syndrome should avoid them,” warns Dr Krauss. “And if you’re pregnant or trying to conceive, we don’t recommend GLP-1s because we just don’t know enough about their safety in pregnancy.”
They’re also a no-go for women with certain gut conditions, like gastroparesis, which can be exacerbated by the drugs’ effect on digestion.
You also need to be aware of side effects.
“The most common ones are gastrointestinal — nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea,” says Dr Krauss. “They tend to ease over time, especially if the dosage is increased slowly. But for some women, they’re intense enough to stop the medication altogether.”
Read more: PCOS misdiagnosis: What happens when symptoms are misunderstood
The bigger issue: women’s health still isn’t a priority
Dr Krauss is passionate about moving the conversation forward — not just about GLP-1s, but about the systemic gaps in women’s health research.
“Despite making up more than half the population, only 5% of research funding goes to women’s health,” she says. “And of that, just 1% goes to conditions outside of cancer. That’s shocking. We need better data, better diagnostics and more funding.”
She adds, “PCOS is a condition that affects nearly one in 10 women and yet it’s constantly overlooked. That has to change.”
Feature image credit: Freepik
