Weight Loss Medications & PCOS Management

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex medical condition that is associated with many different symptoms, some of which may be able to be addressed by prescription weight loss medications.

However, PCOS can present differently from one patient to the next. This is why specialized healthcare practitioners are best suited to determining the ideal treatment.

Depending on your particular PCOS symptoms, prescription weight loss medications could be an effective part of your health plan.

A Brighter Future with PCOS: Prescription Weight Loss Medications?

Weight loss medications sometimes play a role in the overall treatment plan for some people with PCOS, but they aren’t prescribed directly for PCOS.

Not everyone with PCOS has weight gain, and in people with PCOS and overweight/obesity, it’s not always clear that PCOS caused the weight gain.

There may be other conditions, like overweight/obesity or metabolic syndrome, involved in changes in weight. 

This is why it’s not uncommon for people using a weight management program to be using the same medicine as someone with PCOS. If you have more questions about Felix’s mission to help Canadians achieve their health goals, you should explore our program details.

Weighing Your Options: Weight Loss Meds & PCOS Weight  Management

Many people with PCOS live in a larger body, and weight loss medications can play an important role in weight management. By targeting excess weight and the corresponding symptoms, these drugs can help patients living with PCOS manage their weight and weight-related medical concerns.

A variety of other treatments may also be used, but their selection depends on each patient's medical conditions and symptoms.

Examples of possible treatments for PCOS symptoms include, but are not limited to:

• Weight management: Diet, exercise, prescription weight loss medication if eligible
• Infertility: Guidance of a gynecologist or infertility specialist
• Menstrual dysfunction or androgen excess: Oral contraceptive pills

What About High Blood Pressure & Cholesterol?

Weight loss medications don’t directly treat hypertension and high cholesterol, but some patients do find that with a decrease in their body size, they also have improvements in their blood pressure and cholesterol numbers. 

It’s important to note that increased lipids are not experienced by everyone with PCOS. However, PCOS can be associated with metabolic syndrome, which can be associated with these conditions.

Another beneficial way to reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol is through planning your diet to avoid certain types of food, as well as regularly exercising to help improve cardiovascular health.

Talk to your practitioner at Felix about our supportive weight loss program, which can not only help you find the right weight loss medications to help you on your journey, but to create a well-rounded lifestyle plan that will guide you toward your goals.

Weight Loss Meds: A Match for PCOS-Related Insulin Resistance?

Many PCOS patients also experience insulin resistance. Thankfully, there are a variety of different medications that can help manage this condition.

In some cases, weight loss medications or other drugs that are typically prescribed for diabetes may be used as part of a PCOS treatment plan. However, it’s important to note that insulin-resistance is not a direct indication for treatment with weight loss medications.

Weight Loss Medications & PCOS Symptoms: An All-in-One Approach?

The symptom of PCOS that is addressed directly by these medications is weight management difficulty.

However, in PCOS patients who lose weight — regardless of whether they used weight loss medications or not — other symptoms can also sometimes improve. These can include insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and ovulatory or menstrual dysfunction.

Given the association between PCOS, difficulties with weight management, and related symptoms, prescription weight loss medications may play a role in treating PCOS patients who are living in a larger body. While these drugs are not a direct PCOS treatment, they may help improve many of the symptoms associated with this condition.

Want to learn more about weight loss medications? Visit the Felix Blog for more resources. If you think prescription weight loss treatment might be right for you, start an online visit with Felix to see if you qualify.

Non-Medication Based Treatment Options

Like all medications, weight loss medications may simply not be right for some people. Whether it’s due to contraindications or other medications that you’re already on, in some cases, these medications just won’t work.

Thankfully, there are a number of different non-medication based treatments that can also be beneficial to your weight management journey, as well as managing PCOS.

Some of these non-medication based treatment options could include:

• Maintaining a healthy diet (including taking in enough protein and fiber each day)
• Avoiding foods that are known to be unhealthy (i.e., fatty or heavily processed foods, alcohol, sugary foods, etc.)
• Getting regular exercise weekly (30-60 minutes at a time, a few times per week)
• Seeking psychological or behavioural interventions, when necessary, to assist with teaching healthy habit tools, as well as methods for combating ‘food noise’

When Should I Speak with My Practitioner?

Do you have or are suspected to have PCOS? Are you experiencing unexpected weight gain, and you’re looking for support? Then it’s time to talk to your healthcare practitioner at Felix.

PCOS is a challenging condition to manage on your own, and you don’t have to deal with weight gain alone. Complete an assessment with a practitioner, and they’ll be able to tell you whether weight loss medications could be a beneficial part of your health management plan.

Together with Felix, you can take back control of your weight, so that you can get back to living life on your terms - the way it should be.