Can GLP-1s really help treat PMOS? Experts answer 3 key questions

• Some recent evidence suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists, used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, may also help manage polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• A small study has found that GLP-1s can lead to weight loss in people with obesity and PMOS and that, as a consequence, aspects of reproductive system health also improved.
• The evidence, however, remains mixed.
• A gynecologic oncologist and a family doctor specializing in weight management explain how and why GLP-1s might help with PMOS, and who might reap the most benefits.

GLP-1 receptor agonists, known as GLP-1s, for short, are a class of drugs used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and, in some cases, obesity.

Examples of commonly used GLP-1 drugs include Ozempic and Wegovy, which contain the active ingredient semaglutide, and Mounjaro and Zepbound, which contain tirzepatide.

All of these can be used in the treatment type 2 diabetes, but only Wegovy and Zepbound have received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in the management of obesity, while Ozempic and Mounjaro are more often used specifically in the management of diabetes.

These diabetes medications can help with weight management because obesity and diabetes are often interlinked, as many people with obesity also develop type 2 diabetes.

What is perhaps more surprising is that some recent studies have suggested that GLP-1s could also help with some medical conditions affecting the female reproductive system, particularly polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

PMOS is characterized by irregular periods, hormonal imbalances that can present in many different ways, including through unusual hair growth, the development of fluid-filled cysts on the ovaries, and it can co-occur with other metabolic conditions, including obesity.