Can Mounjaro be used for PCOS?
In this article
What's the lowdown?
Mounjuro is a brand name for tirzepatide which is manufactured by the Eli Lily pharmaceutical company
It is licensed for use in type 2 diabetes and weight loss
There is positive research evidence indicating that Mounjaro promotes insulin sensitivity and weight loss
What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition experienced by 8-13% of women in their childbearing years. It is a condition characterised by high androgen (male hormone) levels in the blood which leads to symptoms like1:
- Acne
- Shiny/oily skin
- Male-pattern hair growth
- Weight gain
- Irregular periods
- Insulin resistance
PCOS is diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria where you have to fulfill 2 out of these 3 findings2:
- High androgen levels: Can be either based on symptoms or blood test results
- Dysfunction in ovulation: Irregular or lack of periods
- Ovaries with multiple cysts: Usually visualised on ultrasound, but a blood test called AMH may also be used instead of an ultrasound
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is the brand names for a medication called tirzepatide. Tirzepatide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) agonist. This means it mimics the body’s natural GLP-1 and GIP hormones which are produced in the gastrointestinal tract and act on specific receptors around the body.
GLP-1 and GIP increase insulin concentrations produced by the body and lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, these hormones reduce appetite, so Mounjaro may work as a weight loss medication3.
It must be taken as an injection, on the same day each week. You can only get Mounjuro as a prescription via your doctor, online pharmacies or weight loss clinics.
Mounjaro for PCOS
Mounjaro was licenced for use from November 2023, for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and weight loss management in people who meet specific criteria4.
I hear you asking, well what about PCOS? Is Mounjaro approved for PCOS?
Mounjaro is not specifically approved for PCOS but can be used for the symptoms of the condition like T2DM, insulin resistance and weight gain.
Mounjaro for PCOS weight loss
Weight gain is an issue regularly reported with PCOS. In a 2013 study, people with PCOS were found to have higher BMIs and a higher 10-year weight gain compared to those without PCOS5.
In 2022, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that over 72 weeks, 85% of people using Mounjaro lost more than 5% of their body weight6.
Another 2023 study also found positive results with the users of Mounjaro reporting a weight reduction of 26.4% over 55 weeks7.
Mounjaro for PCOS insulin resistance
Insulin resistance and the development of T2DM is a complication of PCOS. Mounjaro is a drug approved for T2DM use.
Many studies have confirmed that Mounjaro has benefit on insulin sensitivity.
One study showed that Mounjaro increased insulin sensitivity by 65.7%8 and another study found that Mounjaro improves insulin resistance at 26 weeks9.
HbA1c is a blood test that monitors insulin resistance and blood sugar control. At 40 weeks, one study showed a reduction of up to 2.5% in HbA1c levels when Mounjaro was used in addition to Metformin (another diabetes medication). This was a better reduction when compared to semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy) which only reduced HbA1c by 1.9%10.
So can Mounjaro help with PCOS symptoms?
Mounjaro can help with PCOS symptoms if you are struggling with weight gain or T2DM.
Mounjaro cannot be used for PCOS alone….yet…..but can be prescribed for those3:
- With a BMI of 30 or more
- With a of BMI 27-30 and also have weight-related complications like diabetes, pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnoea and high cholesterol.
- Who have uncontrolled T2DM
Early studies have shown that Mounjaro could be a useful treatment for PCOS weight gain, insulin resistance or T2DM11.
Just because Mounjaro can be bought online through pharmacies and weight loss clinics, we do not recommend jumping on the Mounjaro and PCOS train without some medical advice and research. It is still a new drug and long-term side effects have not been thoroughly studied.
If you’re interested in finding out more, we’d recommend looking at Luna clinic who are experts in both PCOS and these medications.
Dr Fatema Dawoodbhoy
Fatema is currently training in London as an Academic doctor, with a special interest in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She is passionate about championing women to understand their bodies better and prioritise their health. She understands the importance of clinically accurate articles and has been writing engaging and educative medical content for 5 years.
Our medical review process
This article has been medically reviewed for factual and up to date information by a Lowdown doctor.
