In this article, PBS explicitly says PMOS / PCOS is related to metabolic syndrome. What do you think?
“Okay, our next question is from Jamie in Utah and she says, I have PCOS and despite it being very common, doctors in general seem to know very little about how to treat or manage it outside of birth control or fertility treatments. I've seen discussion in PCOS groups about Ovisitol and Inositol. Is this something you use with your PCOS patients?
If so, who might be a good candidate to consider it? And would you use it in conjunction with GLP-1 medications or would it be contraindicated? Thank you.
Thanks for the question. So PCOS, when you think about it, it's the abbreviation, it's for polycystic ovarian syndrome. And I always kind of think that name is funny because it's not really a problem with the ovaries, it's just how they respond to other imbalances that are in the system.
So for example, it could be insulin levels that are too high, kind of affect the ovarian response to some of the signals from the brain that stimulate ovulation and estrogen production. And there can be other drivers of the imbalance too that have to do with some of the famine signals such as ghrelin…”
From Fat Science: Mailbag - Why Your Doctor Still Believes Calories In Calories Out, May 18, 2026
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fat-science/id1715377331?i=1000768360508&r=1123
This material may be protected by copyright.
I was at a women’s health event today tied to US women’s health week. This name change was actually a major topic of discussion which is positive. But people including physicians were still saying PCOS in conversation.
I’ve long said I have an “endocrine disorder” when I don’t want to explain what PCOS is, especially to men. I feel even more justified in saying I have an endocrine disorder now.
I’m the founding mod for this sub. I can’t change the name and worry about people finding us.
I’m still thrown off by “ovarian” in the name as someone with PCOS who has high AMH and high follicle count (I knew they weren’t cysts), but doesn’t have high testosterone but rather high DHEA-S (adrenal driven rather than ovarian).
I also don’t think this name change matters too much. I actually think GLP-1 medications are doing more to educate people about PCOS / PMOS than the name change. Because we’ve known thru lived experience that GLP-1s are treating PCOS … so we knew already about the endocrine and metabolic components. There are GLP and GIP receptors in the brain.
1 in 8 women have PCOS. In the US, 1 in 5 of those women have already tried a GLP-1. The new era of PCOS / PMOS treatment had already begun prior to this name change.
What do you all think of this new name?
You know how some people on here report amazing results and others barely see a difference on the same dose? I found a research proposal that might explain why.
The study is looking at whether your gut microbiome, specifically the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) your gut bacteria produce, acts as a modifier for how GLP-1 receptor agonists work in your body. Basically, different gut bacteria might mean different people get different effects from the same drug.
It's focused on the South Asian metabolic phenotype specifically, since that population has really high rates of metabolic syndrome and tends to respond differently to these kinds of treatments.
If this research pans out, it could eventually mean doctors test your gut microbiome before prescribing to predict how well you'll respond. Or even that adjusting your microbiome (through diet, probiotics, whatever) could improve how well the drug works.
I'll go first:
This was prior to my formal PCOS diagnosis. I was 22-23 and had freshly moved to New York. I had just started my first big girl job and had good health insurance for the first time.
I visited a new gynecologist and asked about egg freezing during my appointment - because I was concerned about fertility due to my highly irregular periods and my friend's older sister had just done egg freezing. She said: "If it's important for you to have a baby, you should just have one now."
Mind you, I didn't have a partner. I was BRAND NEW to NYC and had just started my new job two months prior. I had no financial stability. And irregular periods?!?!
That was the last time I saw that GYN.
Pro Money-Saving Tip: Insurance may not cover GLP-1 medications for PCOS. But insurance may cover your visit for refills.
I see so many people paying telehealth providers out-of-pocket for refill visits or monthly subscriptions for prescription management. But I have had success billing refills visits to my insurance and getting them covered. You might as well try it if you are self-pay!
I originally started my GLP-1 RX through a telehealth then moved it to my regular PCP who now refills for me. This was two years ago. Doctors used to be hesitant to start people on GLPs but many would continue the RX if a patient is already on one. Now in 2026, providers are more willing to start patients on GLP-1s for PCOS and manage the ongoing prescription.
The medication might not be covered for PCOS, but you can at least try to get the doctor's visit covered. I can't guarantee it will work with your insurance. But it might!
Reminder: we have a shared list of PCOS friendly providers. You can access the list here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Uzrr95maiAcLpcJqS5v8xn2cgzZ8nTvDKm-sqk0krcM/edit?gid=481265965#gid=481265965
This is community-gathered intel, with a place to note if a provider has prescribed GLP-1s for PCOS. We have providers listed from multiple US states.
Please add your PCOS friendly provider to our shared sheet using the form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSch7AzTv9ZiTblINy7s9NTBSxA4IYlNjstYUaSeXiz2DoiDPg/viewform
PCOS was originally called Stein-Leventhanl Syndrome, named after the researchers who first reported on the condition. These researchers also coined the term "polycystic ovaries."
Researchers at Monash University are leading a global initiative to rename Polycystic Ovary Syndrome to better reflect its metabolic / hormonal roots and reduce the current misleading focus on ovarian cysts. The new name is expected to be announced this year, in 2026.
Some potential new names suggested:
What do you think? Any other name suggestions?
Read an article this morning about Duodenal Mucosal Resurfacing
An in patient 1hour endoscopic procedure which may reset weight set point and allow for the cessation of GLP1s without weight gain. It’s been around for years to help diabetics and now being tested for GLP1 specific use cases.
Thoughts?
https://www.the-independent.com/news/science/glp-1-drugs-weight-loss-rebound-jabs-b2964047.html#