If you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and are struggling with weight, the starting point in the UK is a free online consultation with a GPhC-registered prescriber, who can check whether a GLP-1 medicine such as Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is clinically appropriate for you. Mounjaro is licensed for weight management, not for PCOS itself — but because weight and insulin resistance are closely tied to PCOS symptoms, losing weight can help some people manage the condition.
How PCOS, weight and insulin are connected
PCOS is a common hormonal condition that can cause irregular periods, difficulty losing weight, and raised androgen (male-hormone) levels. Many people with PCOS also have insulin resistance, where the body responds less well to insulin.
Insulin resistance can make weight gain easier and weight loss harder, which is one reason PCOS and higher body weight so often occur together. Even a modest reduction in weight can, for some people, improve how regular their cycles are and how they feel day to day.
This is why weight management is a recognised part of PCOS care — not as a cure, but as one lever that can influence several symptoms at once.
Where do GLP-1 medicines fit in?
Medicines like Mounjaro and Wegovy (semaglutide) are licensed in the UK for weight management, alongside diet and physical activity. They are not licensed to treat PCOS directly, and they do not cure obesity or any condition.
However, because excess weight and insulin resistance contribute to PCOS symptoms, achieving and maintaining weight loss may help some people indirectly. Any decision to prescribe is based on your weight and health, made by a prescriber — not on a PCOS diagnosis alone.
How Mounjaro works
Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which activates two gut-hormone receptors — GLP-1 and GIP — at the same time. This helps you feel fuller sooner and for longer, which can make it easier to eat less without constant hunger.
It is a once-weekly self-injection. The dose is increased gradually: a 2.5mg starter dose, then stepping up through 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg and 12.5mg to a maximum licensed dose of 15mg, under prescriber review.
In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, participants on the 15mg dose lost on average 22.5% of body weight over 72 weeks, alongside lifestyle support. Individual results vary; not everyone reaches this.
How Wegovy works
Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist — it mimics a natural gut hormone that controls appetite, so you feel fuller sooner, and the stomach empties more slowly. It is also available as a Wegovy Tablet, a once-daily tablet taken first thing on an empty stomach with a small sip of plain water, waiting at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything else, or taking other medicines.
You can compare the full range on our treatments overview and the weight-loss injections page.
Are you eligible?
Eligibility for weight-loss medicines is the same across the injectables and the tablet, and is based on your BMI and health — not on PCOS specifically. You may be eligible if you are:
- Aged 18 or over; and
- Have a BMI of 30 or above (obesity); or
- Have a BMI of 27–30 with a weight-related condition (for example type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea).
These medicines are not suitable if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding; have type 1 diabetes; have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2; have a history of pancreatitis; have severe gastrointestinal disease; have an active eating disorder; have severe liver or kidney impairment; or are allergic to the active ingredient.
A note for anyone with PCOS who hopes to conceive: these medicines must be stopped before trying for a pregnancy. Discuss timing and contraception with your prescriber, as this is an important part of planning with PCOS.
Side effects to know about
GLP-1 medicines share a similar side-effect profile. The most common effects (affecting more than 1 in 10 people) include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, decreased appetite and fatigue. These are often strongest early on or after a dose increase, which is why doses are stepped up slowly.
Rare but serious effects can include severe allergic reaction, acute pancreatitis, severe low blood sugar, severe gastrointestinal disease and worsening diabetic retinopathy. If you experience any troubling symptoms, seek medical advice.
You can report any suspected side effect through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/.
Where to start: your UK online assessment
The practical first step is a free online consultation. Here is how the process works at The Weight Clinic:
- You complete a free online consultation about your health and weight — this is a good place to mention your PCOS, any medicines you take, and your plans around pregnancy.
- A GPhC-registered independent prescriber reviews your answers to check whether treatment is clinically appropriate and safe.
- Where clinically needed, you have a short video consultation.
- If suitable, the medicine is dispensed by our own UK pharmacy and sent by tracked delivery, with ongoing prescriber support.
A prescription is only issued if it is clinically appropriate — treatment is never guaranteed. The consultation is free; you only pay if a treatment is prescribed and you choose to proceed.
What does it cost?
Prices depend on the medicine and dose. Mounjaro ranges from £160 per month for the 2.5mg starter dose up to £295 per month for 15mg. Across our treatments, prices start from £115 per month.
| Medicine | Starter dose | From |
|---|---|---|
| Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | 2.5mg weekly | £160/month |
| Wegovy injection (semaglutide) | 0.25mg weekly | £115/month |
| Wegovy Tablet (oral semaglutide) | 1.5mg daily | £115/month |
Is The Weight Clinic legitimate?
Yes. The Weight Clinic is a fully regulated UK service. Medicines are dispensed by our own GPhC-registered pharmacy (North Harrow Pharmacy, GPhC registration number 1034996), which you can confirm on the General Pharmaceutical Council register at pharmacyregulation.org. Our Superintendent Pharmacist is Andrew Lane (GPhC 2027876).
We supply only genuine, MHRA-licensed medicines — never unlicensed or grey-market products — and we are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office. If you have questions before you begin, you can contact us or read more on the blog.
The bottom line
If you have PCOS and want to explore whether a GLP-1 medicine could support your weight-management goals, the right starting point is a clinical assessment — not self-diagnosis. Begin with the free online consultation, share your full history including PCOS, and let a registered prescriber decide what is safe and suitable for you.
This article is for information only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Weight-loss medicines are prescription-only, are not suitable for everyone, and are prescribed only after a clinical consultation with a GPhC-registered prescriber. Individual results vary. Always speak to a UK-registered pharmacist or doctor before starting or changing any prescription medication.
