Jump to: What is HRT? | Can you take Mounjaro with HRT? | Potential benefits of combining Mounjaro and HRT | Take home message
You can take Mounjaro while you’re on HRT as recent research suggests that taking the weight loss medication Mounjaro (tirzepatide) while undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may offer enhanced weight loss benefits for women going through menopause.
One study published in the journal Menopause found that women using GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) alongside HRT lost 16% of their body weight after 12 months, compared to 12% in those not on HRT.
Additionally, analysis of the SURMOUNT trials showed that women generally lose more weight on Mounjaro than men – with female participants losing around 24% of their starting weight compared to 18% in men.
The hormonal changes that occur during menopause can make weight loss extremely challenging. Research suggests around 70% of women experience weight gain during this transition.
However, Mounjaro’s mechanism of action – mimicking the hormones GLP-1 and GIP to regulate appetite and metabolism – may help counter some of these menopausal effects and could be a viable treatment for women looking to lose weight while on HRT.
What is HRT?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involves taking oestrogen, with or without progesterone, to replace the hormones the body stops producing during menopause.
HRT can help alleviate many of the unpleasant symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and vaginal dryness.
Some studies have also suggested HRT may have additional benefits, including potentially reducing the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis in some women.
HRT is typically prescribed as pills, skin patches, gels, or creams. The specific type and dose are tailored to each individual based on their symptoms and health history.
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is a dual-action weight-loss injection. It supports weight loss by mimicking two hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, that communicate with the brain’s appetite control centre, the hypothalamus, to lower hunger and food-seeking behaviour.
By lowering hunger and our desire to eat, Mounjaro helps us eat fewer calories to achieve a calorie deficit.
A calorie deficit occurs when we consume fewer calories than our body needs to fuel its essential functions, such as digestion, blood flow, and brain function.
By creating a calorie deficit, our bodies will ‘burn’ the excess fat stored for energy, and we’ll lose weight.
Mounjaro also slows down the rate at which we digest food so that our stomach and gut send signals to the brain to signal the feeling of fullness.
So, Mounjaro supports weight loss by making us feel less hungry through two mechanisms:
- Communicating with the brain’s appetite control centre
- Slowing the rate that food is digested
Randomised controlled trials have shown that Mounjaro leads to an average weight loss of around 26% after one year.
Can you take Mounjaro with HRT?
It’s generally considered safe to take Mounjaro (tirzepatide) while also using HRT during menopause.
The two treatments work through different mechanisms and do not appear to interact in a way that would cause safety concerns.
Research suggests the combination of GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro and HRT may be particularly beneficial for weight loss in menopausal women.
The hormonal changes that occur during menopause make weight loss extremely challenging for many women.
Factors like decreased metabolic rate, increased hunger, and changes in body fat distribution all contribute to this difficulty.
By taking Mounjaro alongside HRT, women may be able to better counteract the following menopausal effects:
- Mounjaro’s appetite-lowering effect could help overcome increased hunger and food cravings
- The metabolic benefits of HRT may complement Mounjaro’s fat-burning effects
- HRT may help mitigate some of the negative impacts of estrogen decline on body composition
The study published in Menopause found that combining a GLP-1 medication (similar to Mounjaro) and HRT led to an average weight loss of 16%, the same average observed across all populations.
While more research is still needed, this suggests that the two treatments may have a synergistic effect in managing weight during menopause.
Take home message
For menopausal women struggling with weight gain, taking Mounjaro in combination with HRT may offer enhanced benefits compared to using either treatment alone.
The two treatments appear safe to use together, and research indicates the combination could lead to significant weight loss.
However, it’s essential to work closely with your healthcare team to monitor your individual response and ensure both treatments are appropriate for your needs.
Second Nature’s medication programmes
Second Nature has two medication-supported programmes: a Wegovy weight-loss programme and a Mounjaro weight-loss programme.
Why should you choose Second Nature over other medication providers if you’ve decided to try Mounjaro or Wegovy (assuming you’re eligible)?
For peace of mind.
Second Nature has worked with the NHS for over 6 years, providing weight-loss programmes across the UK.
While our Wegovy and Mounjaro weight-loss programmes are private and not currently used by the NHS, we’ve built the programmes focusing on scientific evidence, patient safety, and data security.
We hope that our 6+ years of working with the NHS and building a track record of effective weight-loss results will give you peace of mind to give us a try.
