Could Ozempic help endometriosis?

In this article:

• Ozempic for endometriosis
• FDA approval
• Will insurance cover Ozempic?
• How to save

In this article

• Ozempic for endometriosis
• FDA approval
• Will insurance cover Ozempic?
• How to save

Endometriosis is a women’s health condition wherein endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus. This can cause severe symptoms like painful periods, pelvic pain, and infertility. It’s a common chronic condition that affects more than 11% of reproductive-age women and girls in the United States. Endometriosis can significantly impact quality of life, and while it’s manageable with some medications and surgery, it’s not curable. 

Though there’s limited research and the reports are mainly anecdotal, it’s worth exploring whether there’s a link between Ozempic (semaglutide) and improved symptoms of endometriosis. Read on to learn the potential benefits and what healthcare providers hope to learn as the research on this class of medications continues to grow.

Save up to 80% on Ozempic with SingleCare

Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.

Ozempic 2 mg/3 mL (1 Pen)

23666 - Hampton, VA

$824.95

i Price with signup

Get free coupon

$825.00

i Price with signup

Get free coupon

See Ozempic prices at all pharmacies

Does Ozempic help with endometriosis?

Ozempic was originally created to manage Type 2 diabetes. However, studies have uncovered many other potential benefits, such as treating obesity, reducing the risk of heart disease, and possibly managing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Many women want to know: Can Ozempic help with endometriosis? There are anecdotal reports that off-label use could help alleviate pain and infertility symptoms, but more research is needed to understand its effects.

How Ozempic works

To understand Ozempic’s potential effects on endometriosis, it helps to break down what Ozempic actually does, says Supriya Rao, MD, a board-certified obesity medicine physician in Boston. 

Ozempic belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It shares the same active ingredient, semaglutide, as Wegovy and Rybelsus. Some other medications in this class include Victoza (liraglutide) and Trulicity (dulaglutide).

Existing research shows that semaglutide can:

• Improve insulin resistance
• Promote a healthy body weight
• Reduce inflammation
• Lower the risk of certain diseases, such as heart disease

However, many of these findings have been observed in people with Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. There aren’t any studies that specifically observe the effects of Ozempic on women with endometriosis. “We need actual clinical trials to understand a true connection and say for certain,” Dr. Rao says. There may also be side effects or drug interactions that researchers have yet to explore.

How endometriosis is treated

There’s no cure for endometriosis, but several treatment options are available. These can include:

• Hormonal treatments that suppress ovulation, such as contraceptives containing estrogen or progestins (aka birth control pills)
• Medications, such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists or agonists
• Surgical procedures, such as laparoscopy and hysterectomy 
• Fertility treatment
• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain management

Traditional treatment plans for endometriosis don’t typically include GLP-1 medications like Ozempic. However, some women with endometriosis may also have overlapping medical conditions that may necessitate taking a medication like Ozempic, says Gabrielle Whitmore, MD, an OB-GYN in Denver, Colorado, and Medical Director of the Gynecologic Surgery Center at UCHealth. For example, while women with endometriosis are less likely to have obesity, those with obesity are more likely to have severe symptoms, research suggests. Treatment of endometriosis can vary from person to person. For individualized advice, consult a healthcare provider to go over your symptoms and options.

Potential uses of Ozempic for endometriosis

The link between Ozempic and endometriosis, if any, is currently speculative, Dr. Rao says. There isn’t any available research proving that women with endometriosis could experience relief from taking a medication containing semaglutide. 

However, “some of our endometriosis patients are now turning to Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists because they have found limited symptomatic relief with the traditional treatments,” says Katherine McDaniel, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist and board-certified gynecologist in Pasadena, California. “There is a strong hope that this off-label use will lead to an improved quality of life for this important, and oftentimes underserved, group of women.” Specifically, it could help symptoms by:

• Promoting weight loss: “Undoubtedly, many women with endometriosis hope to lose weight while taking Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists,” Dr. McDaniel says. “Not only are these patients aware of the overall benefits of weight loss, they are also hopeful that a lower body mass index (BMI) may improve those endometriosis symptoms that negatively affect their quality of life.” For example, weight loss may help reduce pelvic pain in endometriosis patients, Dr. Whitmore says. Additionally, some research suggests that weight loss induced by GLP-1 medications may improve fertility (although research has not established a direct connection between weight loss caused by GLP-1s and improved fertility).
• Reducing inflammation: Ozempic may have some anti-inflammatory properties, and endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition. There may be potential for reducing inflammatory endometrial pain, Dr. Whitmore explains. 

As of now, these purported uses of Ozempic for endometriosis are purely hypothetical and anecdotal. While Ozempic’s mechanisms of action may help explain why some women with endometriosis have experienced relief, there is not a large body of scientific evidence to back this up.

FDA approval status

Ozempic is currently FDA approved for blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 diabetes and for preventing worsening kidney disease, kidney failure, and death due to cardiovascular disease in adults with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). It’s also approved for cardiovascular risk reduction. And, though it can lead to weight loss, Ozempic isn’t FDA approved to treat obesity—but healthcare providers often prescribe it off-label for weight loss. 

It’s also not FDA approved for endometriosis, and Ozempic isn’t a first-line treatment for this condition. However, some healthcare providers are still prescribing Ozempic off-label for this use. “Since the symptoms of endometriosis are exacerbated by inflammation, this could explain the relief that many women experience while taking this powerful class of medications,” Dr. McDaniel says. 

Will insurance cover Ozempic for endometriosis?

Because Ozempic isn’t indicated for endometriosis, it’s unlikely that insurance will cover Ozempic for endometriosis alone.

However, some women with endometriosis have overlapping medical conditions, or comorbidities, Dr. Whitmore says. There isn’t a strong association between endometriosis and Type 2 diabetes, research shows, but it’s possible for some women to have both conditions simultaneously. 

“We need well-designed studies that examine the relationship between the GLP-1 agonist medications and endometriosis,” Dr. McDaniel says. “If we can demonstrate a clear-cut benefit, there is hope that one day there may be insurance coverage for Ozempic for women with endometriosis.” Ultimately, insurance coverage can vary, so it’s worth checking your specific plan for more information. 

How to save on Ozempic

Prescription medications can be pricey, and Ozempic is no exception. On average, before insurance coverage and discounts, Ozempic costs about $1,381 per month. Fortunately, it’s possible to save on Ozempic. Here are some ways to lower the cost of this medication.

1. Use a free discount card

SingleCare is a free online service that helps you save on prescription medications. Here’s how it works: SingleCare negotiates with pharmacies and passes those savings on to you. You can save up to 80% on certain prescriptions. SingleCare can help you save hundreds of dollars per month on Ozempic, bringing the average monthly cost to as low as $822. Just download a SingleCare coupon and show it to the pharmacist when you pick up your prescription.

2. Enroll in a Patient Assistance Program

Novo Nordisk is the company that manufactures Ozempic. Their Patient Assistance Program (PAP) offers medications like Ozempic at no cost to certain patients. Check to see if you meet the eligibility requirements for this program before applying.

3. Get a Novo Nordisk Ozempic Savings Card

Similar to the PAP, Novo Nordisk also offers an Ozempic Savings Card to those with commercial or private insurance. This could bring your cost down to as little as $25 each time you fill your prescription, though there are eligibility requirements you must meet. Check the manufacturer’s site for more details.

4. Request a three-month supply

Some pharmacies offer discounts for larger supplies. Ask your healthcare provider for a prescription for a three-month supply instead of a one-month supply. Some mail-order pharmacies may also offer a three-month supply at a discounted price.

5. Check the price at multiple pharmacies

Part of what determines the cost of Ozempic is your location and the pharmacy you use. Check the prices around you to see if there are opportunities to save by switching pharmacies.

The bottom line

With symptoms like irregular menstrual cycles, bloating, constipation, and chronic pain, endometriosis can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life. While it’s not curable, there are treatments available, such as medication and surgery. However, everyone’s journey is different. For some women, a traditional treatment plan isn’t enough to provide meaningful relief. 

Given Ozempic’s benefits related to weight management, inflammation, and fertility, it’s easy to understand why some women are giving it a try. However, without the data to back it up, we can’t say for sure that this medication will provide symptom relief. More research is ultimately needed. For now, the anecdotal evidence is a source of hope for women with endometriosis exploring their treatment options.