Wegovy for PCOS: What is it and how can it help you?

Wegovy is a medical brand that produces semaglutide–the first FDA-approved injection medicine for weight loss and heart health in people who are overweight and obese. It works by suppressing your appetite, increasing insulin production, reducing blood sugar levels, delaying gastric emptying, and protecting you from heart attack and stroke.

The use of Wegovy for PCOS can be explained by the following benefits:

• Body weight reduction
• Improvement of insulin sensitivity
• Possibly improved hormonal balance
• Potentially improved fertility

At the same time, this medicine is associated with a wide range of side effects, which is why it’s crucial to receive treatment under medical supervision.

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PCOS is a common hormonal condition affecting females in their reproductive years. It is accompanied by a variety of symptoms, including irregular menstrual cycle, irregular ovulation, infertility, insulin resistance, and many others. Among many other issues, PCOS is also broadly associated with uncontrolled weight gain, which further aggravates hormonal problems and can worsen the symptoms. Due to this reason, many women with this condition are actively seeking effective weight management strategies.

In this article, we’ll talk about one of them–the use of Wegovy for PCOS, and define how effective it can be in helping you look and feel better.

What Is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a medical brand that produces semaglutide. Semaglutide is an injection-type medicine widely used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. In a nutshell, it’s a peptide that has a similar composition to the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 but modified with a side chain.

When injected, semaglutide stimulates increased production of insulin levels in your body. As insulin levels rise, your blood sugar (glucose) drops, slowing down the amount of sugar released into the blood and slowing your digestion. As the result of proper, long-term therapy, Wegovy provides the following effects:

• Appetite suppression
• Improved insulin sensitivity
• Delayed gastric emptying
• Protection against heart attack and stroke

Does Wegovy Help With PCOS?

Now that you know the implications of PCOS and the general mechanics of semaglutide work, let’s answer the main question–is it effective to use Wegovy for PCOS?

To find the answer, let’s look at the four primary effects of this medicine on women with PCOS:

Body Weight Management

Fast and uncontrolled weight gain is one of the main symptoms of PCOS. According to different figures, between 38% and 88% of women with this condition are overweight or obese, which indicates a significant issue.

Wegovy is the first FDA-approved weight loss medication. It’s used in overweight and obese people to help them manage weight effectively and, thus, reduce the risk of serious heart problems. Respectively, weight reduction is one of the primary effects of this medication.

Studies confirm the efficacy of semaglutide for weight loss, in particular, in women with PCOS. Controlled studies have shown that nearly 80% of obese PCOS females have decreased their body weight by at least 5% after three months of treatment. Interestingly, these results were reported among women who were previously unresponsive to lifestyle changes and diets aimed at weight loss. So, yes, Wegovy can help women with PCOS reduce weight.

Improved Insulin Sensitivity

Insulin resistance is observed in around 65-70% of females with PCOS. It is one of the major contributing factors to weight gain and obesity. Typically, hindered insulin response results in increased hunger and decreased metabolism. Addressing this issue is possible, though can be rather hard because PCOS and insulin resistance eventually worsen each other. 

This brings us to another benefit of using Wegovy for PCOS. According to studies, treatment with semaglutide increases the production of insulin and decreases blood sugar levels. In the long run, by affecting insulin response and helping you reduce weight, it can also reduce insulin resistance.

Potential Hormonal Balance

It’s no secret that increased androgen levels and, thus, a persistent hormonal imbalance are some of the baseline issues affecting women with PCOS. Addressing this imbalance is possible through hormonal treatment and lifestyle adjustments, excess weight can further aggravate it.

Although semaglutide is designed as a weight management treatment, it actually affects a number of hormones in your body, including insulin, cortisol, testosterone, estrogen, growth hormones, and thyroid hormones. By changing the levels of these hormones and improving your metabolic health and weight, this medicine can potentially help you achieve hormonal balance, which is crucial for PCOS.

Potential Fertility Improvement

Worsening your ovarian function and changing the levels of essential reproductive hormones, PCOS is also commonly accompanied by a lowered pregnancy success rate.

Of course, Wegovy is not directly meant to improve your reproductive health. However, multiple studies confirm that medical weight loss can help improve infertility both in men and women. That is, treatment with this medicine for overweight and obese people can potentially enhance your reproductive system and improve the likelihood of pregnancy. 

Will Insurance Cover Wegovy for PCOS?

The full cost of Wegovy is $1,349.02 per month, making it a rather costly medicine. Naturally, people seeking treatment with these injections are wondering if their insurance plan could cover this expense.

The answer to this question is not all that clear. According to the information from the manufacturer and from across the web, insurance coverage for Wegovy for PCOS can vary. Being an FDA-approved medicine for obesity or overweight, it might be covered by your insurance but only if you have obesity or related health conditions.

Luckily, the manufacturer provides support to people who are seeking to get treatment with Wegovy. They’ve developed a secure online form that you can fill out to see the details of your coverage. All you need is to fill out your personal details in the form and get the estimated cost of the medicine in minutes.

Alternatively, if your coverage information can’t be estimated online, you can ask the manufacturer to contact your health insurance provider and send you all the information via email.

Wegovy for PCOS: Side Effects and Considerations

Although it can have pronounced benefits, receiving treatment with Wegovy might also be associated with a number of side effects. According to the manufacturer, the most common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
• Upset stomach
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Bloating
• Gas
• Belching
• Low blood sugar
• Stomach flu
• Heartburn
• Sore throat
• Runny nose

Apart from general side effects, there might also be a risk of serious implications, such as thyroid tumors, including cancer. 

All these side effects lead us to a number of important considerations that one should keep in mind before using Wegovy. First of all, off-label use or treatment without the supervision of a healthcare provider can cause serious issues. Due to this reason, it’s important to consult with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor will help you to assess your current health condition, as well as your family’s medical history, to develop an optimal treatment plan and minimize risks.

Also, it’s crucial to keep a close eye on your condition after you start taking Wegovy. Track the side effects you are noticing (if any) and don’t hesitate to report them to your healthcare provider if they persist.

FAQ

How does Wegovy help with PCOS?

Wegovy or semaglutide is not a hormonal treatment. Yet, it can potentially improve your PCOS symptoms if you have indications for its use. The medicine is known for improving insulin resistance and decreasing body weight, which are some of the most common challenges facing PCOS females. By helping you lose weight, this medicine can also have potential benefits for your hormonal balance and fertility.

Can I purchase Wegovy at a reduced cost?

Although this medicine is rather expensive, it’s also FDA-approved. This means that some insurance providers may cover treatment with it and let you purchase Wegovy at a discounted price. This depends on your health insurance company and whether you qualify for the treatment under your insurance.

Will insurance cover Wegovy for PCOS; how do I check it?

On the manufacturer’s website, there is a convenient online form that allows you to estimate your insurance coverage. You only need to fill out your personal details and you will get an estimation within a few minutes. In case your insurance data can’t be found, you can also contact Wegovy’s support and ask them to contact your insurance provider for more information. They will later send you the details via email.

Conclusion

Being the first FDA-approved weight-loss medicine, Wegovy is commonly prescribed to people with overweight and obesity. The medicine suppresses appetite, promotes insulin production, and reduces blood sugar levels, hence, helping you manage weight effectively.

Thanks to its weight-loss and insulin resistance-improving properties, Wegovy is also commonly used for PCOS treatment if there are indications for it. Studies confirm that this treatment can help you combat metabolic issues, lose weight, and potentially improve your hormonal balance and fertility.

At the same time, this medicine is associated with a number of possible side effects, including serious risks, such as thyroid tumors. Thus, it’s strongly recommended to use Wegovy for PCOS only if it’s advised by your healthcare provider and under medical supervision.

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