Trying to manage your weight alongside a host of other PCOS symptoms can feel overwhelming at times. If you’re finding it tough, know you’re not alone and there are treatments that might help, such as Mounjaro—a new medication that can make you feel fuller for longer.
Read on to understand the potential benefits of using Mounjaro for PCOS, and the science behind it. Plus, learn how you can incorporate Mounjaro into your overall PCOS weight management plan.
PCOS and weight gain
PCOS is a condition that causes an imbalance of reproductive hormones. It affects one in 10 women of childbearing age and includes symptoms like:
- Irregular periods or no periods at all
- Hair growth
- Hair thinning or loss
- Weight gain
- Acne or oily skin
Not everyone will have the same symptoms, or experience them in the same severity. To be diagnosed with PCOS, you need to meet two out of three of these conditions:
- Irregular periods
- High levels of androgens—sex hormones generally associated with men
- Polycystic ovaries—you’d know this via an ultrasound scan showing enlarged ovaries and fluid-filled sacs (follicles) surrounding the eggs
We still don’t know what actually causes PCOS. It’s often genetic, and it’s thought that hormonal imbalances, like an excess of androgens could be a main cause. Androgens can prevent the ovaries from ovulating (releasing an egg) and cause hair growth, acne, and increased appetite.
It may also be down to high levels of insulin, a hormone that regulates and controls the body’s sugar levels (glucose). Lots of people with PCOS are ‘insulin resistant’, meaning their bodies don’t react as they should to insulin, so they produce higher levels of insulin to try and overcome it.
Being overweight can increase the amount of insulin your body produces, so losing weight can better regulate your blood sugar levels. But insulin resistance makes it hard to lose weight because the body stores excess blood sugar as fat. Seems like a neverending cycle, right?
That’s where Mounjaro comes in.
Does Mounjaro help with PCOS?
Insulin resistance is also a main symptom of type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro was originally developed as a drug to treat type 2 diabetes to manage glucose control, and now research has developed to suggest that Mounjaro can also help some people with PCOS and it's safe for weight loss as well.
Normally when we eat, natural hormones called GIP and GLP-1 are released by our gut. The active ingredient in Mounjaro, tirzepatide, mimics these natural hormones by activating the GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Mounjaro can help to suppress your appetite by slowing digestion and making you feel fuller for longer, reducing hunger and cravings.
Weight gain is a common symptom of PCOS, which increases the likelihood of developing other conditions like type 2 diabetes. Weight gain can also impact how regularly you have a period or ovulate — in some cases, people with PCOS might not ovulate at all (called anovulation).
Benefits of Mounjaro for PCOS
There are limited studies on the direct benefits of Mounjaro for PCOS, and while the randomised control trials that have been conducted for similar medications have shown that these drugs do have a positive impact on weight loss, the studies were small. Further research into managing obesity in PCOS specifically is needed.
But the benefits of Mounjaro for PCOS could include:
- Weight loss
- Reduced cravings
- Better insulin sensitivity
- Reduced inflammation
As a result of losing weight, you may experience an improvement in PCOS symptoms such as:
- A more regular menstrual cycle
- Improved self-esteem and overall wellbeing
- Improved fertility
If you’re hoping to have a baby in the future, Mounjaro might have the added benefit of helping you fall pregnant more easily. PCOS can impact fertility because it causes ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovaries) to be irregular. And having a higher BMI can also negatively impact fertility and cause irregular cycles. So, using Mounjaro to lose weight can result in secondary benefits like regular cycles and increased fertility.
On the flip side, if you’re trying to avoid pregnancy, using Mounjaro can actually make your contraceptive pill less effective. So you will need to use another non-oral contraception method, like the IUD or condoms. If you are pregnant, you should not use Mounjaro.
How long do you need to take Mounjaro to see results?
Other weight loss drugs, like Wegovy, also work in the same way to mimic the hormone GLP-1. But because tirzepatide mimics two hormones instead of one, it’s more potent than other weight loss medications. One study showed greater weight loss by participants taking tirzepatide over semaglutide. But weight loss medications aren’t a short-term solution. They’re meant to supplement healthy lifestyle changes, and for best results, most people will need to take them for over a year.
Mounjaro starts working immediately, but it can take a few weeks before you notice your appetite reducing or any significant weight loss. You’ll start on the lowest dose, but some people may need higher doses to get the best results, and that's completely normal too. Your Voy coach and clinical team will help you find the right dose for your weight loss goal.
Can Mounjaro be prescribed for PCOS in the UK?
While Mounjaro isn't specifically approved for PCOS, it might help with weight management, which can often be challenging if you have the condition. Mounjaro isn't currently prescribed on the NHS, so you'll need to seek out a private medical service to secure a prescription. To be prescribed Mounjaro for weight loss, you’ll need to have a BMI of 30 or more. If you’re already at a healthy BMI, you won’t be able to use Mounjaro.
It’s important to consult a medical professional before using Mounjaro to understand the side effects as well as benefits. This is especially true if you are taking any other medications , as it could make them less effective. Good news for those who already take Metformin, as you can take it alongside Mounjaro with no issues.
Starting a weight management plan for Mounjaro with PCOS
Losing just 5% of your body weight can lead to a noticeable improvement in PCOS symptoms. One clinical trial showed that patients taking 10mg of tirzepatide lost 17% of their body weight on average during the 72-week study, while patients taking 5mg of tirzepatide lost 15%. However, for long-lasting weight loss, building a healthy relationship with food and exercise alongside Mounjaro is essential.
Not sure where to start? Voy’s personalised programme combines clinically proven medication and lifestyle coaching to help you achieve your weight loss goals and stick to them.
Your PCOS and weight loss journey
We know the hours of research that go into finding a new medication to help manage a medical condition. It’s long, often confusing, and can feel like a gamble when there’s money involved.
If you’ve tried countless diets and exercise routines that just haven’t worked how you’d have liked, weight loss injections like Mounjaro might be a well-suited next step of your PCOS treatment plan. To find out if our weight loss programme is for you, take a few minutes to fill out this short quiz, and our team of experts will be in touch with personalised advice to help you reach your goals.
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