Weight loss drugs could help treat PCOS

For well over a decade, Grace Hamilton, 27, experienced hair loss, heavy periods, infrequent menstrual cycles, mental health issues and difficulty losing weight without knowing why. It wasn’t until 2021 when she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age.

After she saw limited improvements from birth control, diet and exercise, Hamilton joined a trial in 2024 examining a GLP-1 drug in PCOS patients. By October, she received her first weekly dose of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk‘s obesity injection Wegovy and diabetes shot Ozempic.

She said some results were almost immediate: after months without a cycle, her period resumed within two weeks of starting the drug. After 10 months on the treatment, Hamilton lost 50 pounds, saw hair regrowth and reported significant improvements in depression and anxiety

“I’m so glad that I stuck with it because it was just clear as day that it was the missing link for me,” said Hamilton, who works at a nonprofit in Arvada, Colorado, adding that she maintained diet and exercise while on the drug. 

She is just one of several women who have reported improvements in symptoms of PCOS after using GLP-1s, a growing class of obesity and diabetes treatments that have drawn massive patient demand and investor buzz over the last few years. Treating PCOS is among several new but unapproved potential uses of the blockbuster drugs beyond promoting weight loss and regulating blood sugar.

PCOS, which is frequently underdiagnosed, affects an estimated 5 million to 6 million women of reproductive age in the U.S., according to some estimates. 

The condition is typically characterized by higher levels of testosterone and other hormones usually associated with men called androgens, which can leads to symptoms such as irregular and painful periods, excess hair growth and acne. PCOS is the most common cause of infertility. 

The condition is strongly linked to metabolic issues, as an estimated 35% to 80% of patients experience insulin resistance. That means the pancreas pumps out more insulin to keep blood sugar in check, and high insulin levels can promote weight gain and disrupt hormone balance. A significant share of women with PCOS have obesity or Type 2 diabetes. 

Yet there’s no standard PCOS treatment. Current options like birth control, lifestyle changes and the diabetes drug Metformin may only help with certain symptoms, which could differ depending on the patient. 

But some health experts see promise in GLP-1s, particularly given their effect on improving weight loss and insulin sensitivity. 

“The unmet need is massive,” said Dr. Melanie Cree, a pediatric endocrinologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado. “Primary therapies…