GLP-1 Medications and PCOS: What You Need to Know

GLP-1 receptor agonists are medications that mimic a natural gut hormone involved in blood sugar regulation and appetite.

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They can:

• Slow down digestion

• Reduce appetite

• Improve insulin sensitivity

• Support weight loss

Like any medication, GLP-1s come with considerations:

• Nausea, vomiting, constipation

• Nutrient deficiencies (if food intake becomes too restricted)

• Loss of lean muscle mass if diet isn’t well supported

• Rebound weight gain when stopping, if no long-term lifestyle support is in place

For women with PCOS, GLP-1s may:

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• Reduce insulin resistance (a root cause of PCOS for many).

• Help with weight management.

• Improve metabolic markers (like blood glucose or cholesterol).

• Reduce inflammation

• Regulate menstrual cycle

Even if you’re on GLP-1s, lifestyle changes are what support your hormones long-term. Nutrition, movement, stress, gut health, and sleep all play crucial roles in managing PCOS symptoms.

This is where I come in: helping women build sustainable, evidence-based habits that make them feel energised, confident, and in control of their symptoms — with or without medication.

But GLP-1s don’t address the whole picture.

They don’t directly improve:

• Irregular cycles

• Fertility challenges

• Hair loss or excess hair growth

• Skin concerns like acne

• PCOS fatigue or food noise

• Weight maintenance

 

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