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Study · Systematic review · n = 526 · 2025

6 results

Meta-analysis of the effects of semaglutide on body mass index (BMI) and blood lipid levels in polycystic ovary syndrome patients.

Chen W, Xu D, Shao X, Song Q, Chen R

Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology17 Sept 2025Cited by 1 (Europe PMC)

Summary

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine-metabolic disorder in reproductive-aged women, often associated with obesity and dyslipidemia. Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), improves glycemic control and weight, but its effects on PCOS remain unclear. This meta-analysis evaluates semaglutide's impact on BMI and blood lipids in PCOS patients. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO ICTRP, and gray literature sources for RCTs (2010-2025) comparing semaglutide vs. placebo/conventional treatment in PCOS patients. The outcomes included BMI, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), LDL-C, and HDL-C. The data were analyzed using RevMan 5.4, with mean differences (MD) and 95% CIs were calculated. Heterogeneity was assessed via I². Eight RCTs (526 patients) were included. Semaglutide significantly reduced BMI (MD: -2.20 kg/m², 95% CI: -2.42 to -1.97, P < 0.001), TC (MD: -0.42 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.46 to -0.39, P < 0.0001), TG (MD: -0.35 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.38 to -0.32, P < 0.0001), and LDL-C (MD: -0.31 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.35 to -0.27, P < 0.0001), but not HDL-C (P = 0.8524). Subgroup analysis showed greater efficacy at doses ≥ 1.0 mg/week and in patients with a baseline BMI > 28 kg/m². Overall evidence quality was moderate to low based on GRADE assessment. Semaglutide significantly improves BMI and lipid profiles in PCOS, particularly at higher doses, and in obese patients. Further long-term studies are needed to confirm safety and reproductive outcomes.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study6

6 results from studies that gave the peptide. 6 results from people.

  1. 01HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In a meta-analysis of eight RCTs in women with PCOS, semaglutide reduced BMI versus placebo or conventional treatment.

    In plain wordsIn women with PCOS, semaglutide lowered body mass index more than placebo or usual treatment in combined trial results.

    Outcome
    DecreaseBMI
    Study

    n = 526

    Comparator
    Placebo or conventional treatment
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    BMI mean difference
    −2.2 kg/m²
    semaglutide vs control

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Semaglutide significantly reduced BMI (MD: -2.20 kg/m², 95% CI: -2.42 to -1.97, P < 0.001)
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    This meta-analysis evaluates semaglutide's impact on BMI and blood lipids in PCOS patients.
    Summary · context
    Eight RCTs (526 patients) were included.
  2. 02HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In a meta-analysis of eight RCTs in women with PCOS, semaglutide reduced total cholesterol versus placebo or conventional treatment.

    In plain wordsIn women with PCOS, semaglutide lowered total cholesterol more than placebo or usual treatment in combined trial results.

    Outcome
    DecreaseTotal cholesterol
    Study

    n = 526

    Comparator
    Placebo or conventional treatment
    Outcome group
    Lipids · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    TC mean difference
    −0.42 mmol/L
    semaglutide vs control

    Source sentences

    Summary
    TC (MD: -0.42 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.46 to -0.39, P < 0.0001)
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    This meta-analysis evaluates semaglutide's impact on BMI and blood lipids in PCOS patients.
    Summary · context
    Eight RCTs (526 patients) were included.
  3. 03HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In a meta-analysis of eight RCTs in women with PCOS, semaglutide reduced triglycerides versus placebo or conventional treatment.

    In plain wordsIn women with PCOS, semaglutide lowered triglycerides more than placebo or usual treatment in combined trial results.

    Outcome
    DecreaseTriglycerides
    Study

    n = 526

    Comparator
    Placebo or conventional treatment
    Outcome group
    Lipids · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    TG mean difference
    −0.35 mmol/L
    semaglutide vs control

    Source sentences

    Summary
    TG (MD: -0.35 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.38 to -0.32, P < 0.0001)
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    This meta-analysis evaluates semaglutide's impact on BMI and blood lipids in PCOS patients.
    Summary · context
    Eight RCTs (526 patients) were included.
  4. 04HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In a meta-analysis of eight RCTs in women with PCOS, semaglutide reduced LDL-C versus placebo or conventional treatment.

    In plain wordsIn women with PCOS, semaglutide lowered LDL cholesterol more than placebo or usual treatment in combined trial results.

    Outcome
    DecreaseLDL cholesterol
    Study

    n = 526

    Comparator
    Placebo or conventional treatment
    Outcome group
    Lipids · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    LDL-C mean difference
    −0.31 mmol/L
    semaglutide vs control

    Source sentences

    Summary
    LDL-C (MD: -0.31 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.35 to -0.27, P < 0.0001)
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    This meta-analysis evaluates semaglutide's impact on BMI and blood lipids in PCOS patients.
    Summary · context
    Eight RCTs (526 patients) were included.
  5. 05HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In a meta-analysis of eight RCTs in women with PCOS, semaglutide did not significantly change HDL-C versus placebo or conventional treatment.

    In plain wordsIn women with PCOS, semaglutide did not clearly change HDL cholesterol compared with placebo or usual treatment in combined trial results.

    Outcome
    No significant changeHDL cholesterol
    Study

    n = 526

    Comparator
    Placebo or conventional treatment
    Outcome group
    Lipids · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    but not HDL-C (P = 0.8524).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    This meta-analysis evaluates semaglutide's impact on BMI and blood lipids in PCOS patients.
    Summary · context
    Eight RCTs (526 patients) were included.
  6. 06HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In the subgroup analysis, semaglutide showed greater efficacy at doses of 1.0 mg/week or more and in patients with baseline BMI above 28 kg/m².

    In plain wordsIn women with PCOS, semaglutide worked better at higher weekly doses and in people with a higher starting body mass index.

    Outcome
    IncreaseEfficacy by dose and baseline BMI (subgroups)
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Placebo or conventional treatment
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Subgroup analysis showed greater efficacy at doses ≥ 1.0 mg/week and in patients with a baseline BMI > 28 kg/m².
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    This meta-analysis evaluates semaglutide's impact on BMI and blood lipids in PCOS patients.
    Summary · context
    Eight RCTs (526 patients) were included.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 2Current

    11 Oct 2026, 00:04 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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