Anyone tried weight loss injections for PCOS and insulin resistance?

[Meeting]

I'm really struggling with my PCOS and my GP won't even let me have an appointment about it. I've seen a lot online that ozempic/mounjaro are great for PCOS which makes sense because it also treats diabetes and both are insulin related.

Has anyone tried them for this?

How do you mean that MJ treats diabetes? From my understanding it reduces weight which means diabetes can be easier managed but not sure that means it treats it?
Sorry no experience of PCOS but hopefully someone else will.

I don't know the ins and outs of it, sorry. Just as far as I'm aware the main use for them is for diabetes?

It's literally what mounjaro was created for, the weight loss use is a side effect that has been remarketed for healthy individuals. It's a GLP-1/GIP agonist, which in short means it encourages insulin secretion and regulates blood sugars.

Op, I have PCOS but haven't tried WLI. I do take Metformin, which is another T2 treatment option, and as you say, there is a lot of overlap between symptoms due to insulin resistance in PCOS so it might help. I probably would want to make sure that the prescribing pharmacy were aware of the PCOS, and I don't know enough about them to know if that's a problem or if they'll only prescribe to those without medical conditions - it might be that some of the more competetively priced ones won't take on anyone who might be more 'difficult' to manage if it's having a therapeutic impact over and above just appetite suppression, but talk to them - I can't imagine you're the only person taking them with health complaints!

If you want to know the ins and outs watch this

YouTube title for those who don't click links: The Metabolism of Female Infertility with Dr. Ben Bikman.

Bikman explains the underlying mechanism very clearly and also why GLP1s and/or going low carb can and do help with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and PCOS.

Best wishes.

Sorry, my misunderstanding. I'm married to someone with T1 diabetes and was a bit worried someone might think WLI could treat that! Totally different meaning of treating diabetes when it's T2!

Yes, I have, actually on the recommendation of my nhs gynae consultant. It’s been fantastic. However the NHS don’t have funding to prescribe for PCOS so unless you meet their other criteria (which may be different to mine as it’s a postcode lottery) you’ll likely have to go private.

Yes it controls blood sugar and insulin, hence why it is used for diabetes management as well as weight loss, it’s approved for both.

op are you over weight?

I’ve got PCOS and am on Mounjaro. It’s the first time since being diagnosed that I’ve been able to properly lose weight in over 25 years. Prior to MJ I was eating healthy and exercising in fact I’ve not changed my kcal consumption (1200-1300 a day) and I’ve lost every week for 6 months. My periods are also now on a 28 day cycle.

What struggles with PCOS are you having? I’m sorry the GP isn’t sympathetic. Are you on anything for it?

I do have PCOS but luckily only have mildly annoying symptoms like mild hirsutism. I was obese for 30 years which I’m sure was heavily supported by the PCOS, but also other issues. WLI have been amazing for me, being only a bit overweight instead of obese has revolutionised my life and my health risks, despite some quite horrible side effects and a lot of cash. So I don’t exactly take it for the PCOS, just the obesity which I guess is probably PCOS related.

I'm not actually overweight that's the thing. I am about a stone over what I want to be but my BMI is in the healthy range. My main issues are that I haven't currently had a period for 4 months and that I'm constantly craving sugar. I also just feel crap 24/7. It's frustrating not being able to see the GP.

I've been reading a lot online and the two options seem to be Metformin and WLIs. I thought I could try maybe 3 months of wegovy to try and get back on track and into a cycle, rather than going onto Metformin permanently. Obviously that is something I would ideally discuss with my doctor but they won't even give me an appointment.

Just to add, my weight is going up despite exercise so the PCOS is 100% affecting my weight.

@MeetingI'm on Mounjaro and like most people on a GLP1 I'm paying for it myself. I have PCOS and insulin resistance and it's been great for me but I was (and still am) in the obese category. In my experience there is no chance of getting a GLP1 on the NHS. PCOS Is not counted as one of the additional conditions needed to qualify for one. Even a private prescription would be difficult to get unless your BMI is over 27. (With a reputable provider)

There will be very few places that would legitimately prescribe WLI to someone who is a healthy weight. You'd be looking at specialist weight loss private clinics who offer what they call "microdosing" who might prescribe, for a price of course.

I was prescribed Metformin 17 years ago to regulate my periods and went on to conceive my two DC with very little trouble, which is in the main due to the meds.

I've been on MJ since last May and have lost 3 stone. All my PCOS symptoms have disappeared although I am on the cusp of perimenopause so no definitive proof!

I am convinced Mounjaro has helped with the insulin resistance but I'm now a bit worried about coming off it so am microdosing just to maintain my weight.

MJ has been utterly life changing for me but you'll have to pay for it privately OP.

Oh yes I'm not expecting to get it on the NHS! Not even sure if I'll be able to get it at all with a BMI of 24 but I'm only trying to gather info at the moment

You won’t be able to get it op, not without lying and scamming it out a prescriber.

What do you mean the GP won’t let you have an appointment? If it’s about WLI and you have a healthy BMI that’d be a wasted appointment, you both know the outcome IMO.

But you hear of people all the time taking it just to lose a stone when they're not overweight to begin with. Do they all have to lie to get it?

Some providers are advertising that they will now prescribe to those with a BMI of 25 if that helps.

I would caution about believing everything that people say online, if that's where you're seeing people make those sorts of claims. When people say they just have a stone to lose you don't have any independent evidence of their starting weight/BMI, their pre-existing weight related health conditions, or whether they are the sort of person who would lie to a pharmacy to acquire prescription-only meds that they don't meet the criteria for. A small number might be accessing GLP1s via the kind of private clinic that I previously mentioned, if they can afford it.

I believe the guidance for women with PCOS is it can be prescribed for a BMI of down to 27 so yeah unlikely if your BMI is 24