Can Mounjaro Help Ease Menopause Symptoms?

Mounjaro® is a medication designed to manage blood glucose levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Because it efficiently regulates blood sugar, it can also contribute to alleviating hot flashes, as there is a connection between the two.

Furthermore, Mounjaro brings an added bonus. It aids in shedding those stubborn pounds that often plague middle-aged women. As they lose this excess fat, they may also experience significant improvement in other menopause symptoms.

Are you curious? Let’s delve deeper into it.

Disclaimer: Because the drug is so new, there are no studies on it specifically among menopausal women. This blog post uses current research, and the author is objectively connecting this research with menopause.  

What is Mounjaro and How Does it Work?

Mounjaro is a once-a-week injection made by Eli Lilly. It’s what is known as a GIP/GLP-1 antagonist. Thus, it’s frequently referred to as being part of the GLP group of medications, which includes Ozempic® and Wegovy®.

It works by:

• Increasing insulin production, but only when blood sugar rises.
• Decreasing the amount of sugar made by the liver.
• Increasing insulin sensitivity.
• Slowing down the speed at which your stomach empties. This helps with blood sugar and leaves you feeling full for a longer period of time.
• Decreasing food intake.

Mounjaro and Blood Sugar

In clinical trials, Moujaro has been effective in regulating blood glucose.

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Blood Sugar and Hot Flashes

There appears to be a link between blood sugar and hot flashes.

During an 8-year study called the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation, a group of 3,075 women between the ages of 42 and 52 were examined.

The findings revealed a link between the occurrence of hot flashes and blood glucose levels. 

Specifically, participants who experienced hot flashes 1 to 5 days per week had blood glucose levels that were 33% higher compared to those who did not experience any hot flashes.

So, it’s possible that by decreasing blood sugar, hot flashes improve.

Mounjaro and Hot Flashes

Clearing the air: No scientific evidence supports the connection between Mounjaro and hot flashes. But, having said that, Mounjaro controls blood sugar and it has been shown that managing blood sugar levels may alleviate hot flashes for certain women. 

If you have bothersome hot flashes, it’s a good idea to work on blood sugar control to decrease their frequency and severity. 

FDA-Approved Uses of Mounjaro

Currently, this medication is only approved to treat type 2 diabetes. However, approval for its use for weight loss is expected.

Mounjaro for Weight Loss

One of the most common complaints among women in menopause is weight gain. Changes in hormones, insulin resistance, lack of sleep, and changes in lifestyle all contribute to this issue.

Mounjaro has been shown to be effective in helping individuals lose weight.

A recent study including 2,539 participants showed the following weight loss.

• At the lowest dose, study participants lost 15% of their initial body weight over 72 weeks.
• At higher doses, participants lost 20%.
• More than half of the participants taking the higher dose lost 20% of their initial weight compared with only 1.3% of those taking the placebo.

Menopause Weight Loss and Mounjaro (My Expert Opinion)

The causes of weight gain during menopause include lack of sleep, which affects hunger and appetite hormones.

GLP-1 medication can potentially assist in menopause weight loss by regulating these hormones. However, there is currently limited research available to support weight loss in this specific group of women, as the medication is relatively new and not yet approved for weight loss.

Insulin resistance can also contribute to menopausal weight gain. This medication is designed to help with the management of blood glucose and insulin. Therefore, taking Mounjaro can help control blood sugar in middle-aged women and support weight loss as a result.

Keep in mind that is important to follow a healthy diet and exercise to see better results.

Get your Mounjaro meal plan here.

Other Potential Benefits

Studies have also shown other benefits of Mounjaro, including improved blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol.

While these are not conditions directly related to menopause, women over 50 certainly have an increased risk of developing chronic disease.

These additional benefits don’t come as a surprise, though, as weight loss and improved blood sugar control are known to reduce comorbidities.

Is Mounjaro Safe?

Like most medications, Mounjaro has potential side effects.

The most common side effects are GI-related and include nausea, acid reflux, constipation, and diarrhea.

These are also symptoms of menopause, so it’s possible that women in this age group can have worsening symptoms. However, there are no specific studies in this population, so we can’t say that with any certainty.

Symptoms like these are rarely serious and often can be managed with lifestyle changes, over-the-counter remedies, or by managing the dose of the medication.

More concerning symptoms include severe digestive issues, gallbladder problems, and pancreatitis.

Mounjaro is also reported as unsuitable for those with a history of thyroid cancer.

To get this medication, you will have to visit your doctor. Together you can decide if Mounjaro is right for you.

How to Get Mounjaro

To obtain this medication, you will need a prescription from a doctor or nurse practitioner. While some general practitioners may be familiar with Mounjaro, not all are. So, it’s important to find the right clinician. Endocrinologists or obesity specialists are sometimes best suited to prescribe this medication.

Before prescribing the medication, your doctor will likely want to review your medical history and discuss potential side effects. They may also ask that you have a lab test done to ensure that you are healthy enough for treatment.

Alternatively, there are specialized companies, like Sequence, that specifically prescribe this drug. The advantage of using such services is that the physicians and clinicians have extensive experience with the medication and managing its side effects.

Furthermore, these services may have access to registered dietitians and experts in physical activity, both of which are essential for successful weight loss and maintenance.

Warning

Because of the high demand for GLP-1 medications, there are a lot of pharmacies and online retailers selling what’s known as “compound medications” that are similar to Mounjaro®, Wegovy®, and Ozempic®.

It’s important to remember that any medications purchased from these sources may not be safe or even effective.

At the time of writing (end of 2023), there are no generic versions of the medication.

My Expert Opinion

There are no studies to make any evidence-based conclusions about Mounjaro or the other GLP-1 medications and their ability to help with menopausal symptoms.

But it is possible that these medications may provide some benefit in terms of weight loss and blood sugar control, which in turn can improve overall health outcomes for women going through menopause.