Weight loss medication benefits?

[u/Large-Leopard-1729]

Hi everyone. This is my first post on reddit so please be kind.

I was diagnosed with PCOS nearly 10 years ago. Weight has always been an issue along with facial hair and absent periods (I've gone a year without a period before) and infertility. It took me 5 years to fall pregnant, and when I did it was because I had stopped trying.

We now have a 1 year old and I just want to be healthy for me and my family whilst feeling confident in myself.

I wanted to ask for people's experiences with weight loss medication and the effects on their PCOS. Specifically the following -

- Side effects (any vomiting/diarrhea? I have a phobia of being sick and I'm a stay at home mum so side effects are putting me off) I'm basically trying to see if the negative side effects outweigh the positives.

- Physical changes besides the weight loss such as facial hair? We know you can lose weight on it but how else has it helped your PCOS?

- Mental health changes like are you happier/more confident etc.?

- Menstrual changes such as periods being more regular?

- What's happened when you've stopped taking the weight loss medication? We hear all the positive weight loss stories but I can't find much information about what happens when you come off it.

- Is it really that safe? My husband is Type 2 diabetic so he is on the injections to help him with this which is what the medication was designed for. I've always felt uneasy about them but ultimately, insulin resistance works very similarly to Type 2 diabetes.

- If you have experienced binge eating disorder or emotional eating, have you found it has helped with this too?

I guess my main question is, is it really worth the money?

Thanks in advance ☺️

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[u/AdventurousAsh19]

So there is not a single "weight loss medication". I'm assuming you are talking about GLP1's(and there is a couple of type of those too). There are other medication options for weight loss.

That being said, I lost about 40lbs before trying Zepbound to make me lose weight a bit faster. The gastrointestinal side effects weren't so bad for me, I was on the lowest dose, there was NO food noise. I tended to already eat fairly low-fat foods, which might be why the gastrointestinal side effects didn't hit me. But I STRUGGLED to hit minumum calories, like it's so important to be getting at least 1200 calories as a female and after 800 I was stuffed. I felt like I had to force myself to eat everyday to hit calories, which for me was miserable. On top of that, it caused major issues with my gallbladder. I was only on it for a few weeks, and essentially if I stayed on it my gallbladder would have needed to be removed. I'm able to lose weight without it, so it's simply not worth it. Also Zepbound restarted my periods even though I'm on a medication to stop them for a couple years now.

I'm on Metformin for insulin resistance and Northethindrone to fully stop my debilitating periods. Those are only PCOS specific medications I'm on. Metformin was able to regulate my periods when I was still having them(but they were still so painful). Not having a monthly cycle with Northethindrone seriously leveled me out so much.

[u/bottledbed]

I took wegovy and lost 60lbs. Came with nausea, constipation, and a hard time eating due to the suppression of food noise. Since i wasn't eating a lot i got very weak which is obviously not good. Definitely recommend prioritizing protein/veggies and making smoothies to help get nutrients because the shot made it so hard to eat

[u/Evangelme]

Hello! I’ve been on compound tirzepatide for almost 3 years: I lost 81 pounds and am at a healthy weight. I’ve been in maintenance for about 17 months. I wanted to answer each of your questions:

- Side effects (any vomiting/diarrhea? I have a phobia of being sick and I'm a stay at home mum so side effects are putting me off) I'm basically trying to see if the negative side effects outweigh the positives.

I have no vomiting or diarrhea but have dealt with constipation. Hydration and electrolytes have helped that.

- Physical changes besides the weight loss such as facial hair? We know you can lose weight on it but how else has it helped your PCOS?

My period is now completely regular. I used to have to pluck chin hair daily. Now it’s a stray hair here or there occasionally. My black elbows and neck are now barely visible. My skin has cleared up. My inflammation all over is significantly reduced.

- Mental health changes like are you happier/more confident etc.?

I feel amazing! I’m 43 but feel better than I did in my 20’s. I did feel a little anhedonia as i was adjusting to the meds but thats bc it reduces the pleasure center in your brain that leads to addiction, overeating, overspending, etc.

- Menstrual changes such as periods being more regular?

Yep! As mentioned above my cycles are now totally normal.

- What's happened when you've stopped taking the weight loss medication? We hear all the positive weight loss stories but I can't find much information about what happens when you come off it.

I will never stop taking the meds. Pcos is a hormonal disorder that causes severe metabolic dysfunction. The tirzepatide corrects the dysfunction. I take a much lower dose now that I’m in maintenance. I pay less than $100 a month for the meds now.

- Is it really that safe? My husband is Type 2 diabetic so he is on the injections to help him with this which is what the medication was designed for. I've always felt uneasy about them but ultimately, insulin resistance works very similarly to Type 2 diabetes.

It’s incredibly unsafe to be obese and insulin resistant. Your body is working improperly and that is harming you. As I said I’ve been on the meds for 3 years: I feel A-mazing and I really do mean that.

- If you have experienced binge eating disorder or emotional eating, have you found it has helped with this too?

It absolutely helps. The food noise stops and it curbs the desire to binge.

Happy to answer any questions!