It can be exciting to start Mounjaro to lose weight until you start losing your hair for no reason. If you have seen extra hair on your brush or pillow lately, you might be wondering,
Is Mounjaro causing this?
Hair loss is a scary side effect that is not officially listed. But a lot of people who use it say they experience it. The sudden change can spark real anxiety, especially when you are focused on improving your health.
In this quick guide, we will unpack the connection between Mounjaro and hair loss and what’s really happening. Also, how you can manage it without compromising your progress.
Let’s get started!
What Is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is a medication approved to manage type 2 diabetes and assist with weight loss. It works by mimicking hormones that help regulate blood sugar and appetite.
It is highly effective for these purposes. But, like many weight-loss medications, some users have experienced unexpected side effects — one of which is hair thinning.
Is Hair Loss a Side Effect of Mounjaro?
Now, technically, clinical studies have not officially listed hair loss as a common side effect of Mounjaro. That said, a clinical study from 2022 did find that hair loss occurred in 4.9% to 5.7% of people using Mounjaro at doses ranging from 5 mg to 15 mg. In comparison, only 0.9% of people using a placebo reported hair loss. Even though these numbers are not very high, it is clear that some users are being affected.
The manufacturer does not classify this issue as a “common” side effect since it affects less than 5% of users. But if you are among that group, it can still feel alarming.
Image is taken from pexels
If weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Saxenda cause hair loss, this video looks into it. The pharmacist host reviews clinical data and shares three possible causes
- Rapid weight loss stress
- Hormonal changes
- Nutrient deficiencies
He explains how these factors can trigger temporary hair shedding. He also offers practical tips to manage and reverse this hair loss while staying on track with weight loss goals.
The Role of Rapid Weight Loss
It’s not the drug itself that is guilty of hair shedding in those who take weight loss drugs like Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound. Well, it’s the pressure of losing weight fast on your body.
This can lead to a problem known as telogen effluvium, in which more of your hair follicles enter the resting phase. These events can result in the loss of hair. It usually kicks in starting around 2 to 3 months after significant weight loss occurs, sometimes sooner, and may continue for months or even years without close management.
An average person loses 50 to 150 hairs a day. But with telogen effluvium, that can boost up to 300 hairs per day. This hair loss usually shows up when you brush your hair or take a shower. It does not show up in bald spots but as thin hairs all over.
Image is taken from pexels
Nutritional Deficiencies and Hair Health
Losing weight quickly can also interfere with good nutrition. Nourishing nutrients such as iron, zinc, Vitamin D and protein are crucial to support healthy hair. Three types of nutrients found in food — carbs, proteins, and fats—can lead to hair loss if you don’t get enough.
The very stress of dieting by itself can make the problem worse. Other things like low thyroid levels, hormone imbalances or chronic illness can also contribute. Your hair suffers when you lose weight, consume fewer nutrients, and experience increased stress.
Does Ozempic Cause Hair Loss?
Ozempic (semaglutide) was another hugely popular weight-loss and diabetes drug. It has shown the same pattern over and over again. Although the package insert does not list hair loss as a side effect, some women have reported experiencing it.
In clinical trials of Wegovy (a different semaglutide-based drug), hair loss was reported in 3 percent of adults taking the medication, compared with 1 percent on a placebo. For children aged 12 and older, it was 4 percent vs. 0 percent.
Experts believe, as with Mounjaro, it is less about the drug itself and more about rapid weight loss triggering telogen effluvium.
Real-Life Experiences
Real people have shared stories of hair loss after starting medications like Mounjaro. Take Kathleen Smith from Telford, England, for example — she reported severe hair loss alongside other side effects from a weight loss injection similar to Mounjaro. Her hair began falling out rapidly, clogging her shower drain, and left her scalp visibly thinner, almost as if she had an undercut.
Even though they are only stories, these experiences are similar to what is shown in clinical data.
Is Hair Loss Permanent? Will I Go Bald?
Guess what? Hair loss from rapid weight loss is rarely permanent. Most people experience diffuse thinning — not bald patches. It typically starts around 2 to 3 months after weight loss begins and lasts for a few months. It resolves within 6 to 12 months after your weight stabilizes.
Once your body adapts and nutrient levels balance out, your hair should gradually regrow to its original thickness.
How to Prevent and Avoid Hair Loss?
Well, if you’re losing hair while on Mounjaro, here are some things you can do.
- Talk to Your Healthcare Provider: Don’t make changes to your medications or begin taking supplements without consulting your healthcare provider.
- Maintain a Nutrient-Rich Diet: Prioritize protein, iron, zinc, vitamin D, and calories to support hair growth.
- Manage Weight Loss Pace: Aim for gradual weight loss to minimize the risk of triggering telogen effluvium.
- Consider Supplements: If advised by your healthcare provider, supplements like biotin, iron, or a multivitamin can be helpful.
- Track Stress and Hormones: Psychological stress and hormonal imbalances (like thyroid issues) can worsen hair loss. Managing stress through mindfulness, yoga, or hobbies you enjoy can make a difference.
- Monitor Other Medications: Let your doctor know about all the medicines you are taking. This is crucial because certain unrelated medications can also lead to hair loss.
Final Thoughts
Although hair loss is not a common side effect of Mounjaro, some users are concerned about it. This is typically because they are losing weight rapidly and not receiving adequate nutrients. That condition, called telogen effluvium, is typically temporary and reversible.
The secret is that you are not winning if you treat your weight loss as a thing that happens separately from your general health. If you notice more strands in your hairbrush than you’re accustomed to, don’t freak out. Talk to your doctor, make sure your nutrition is on point and give your body some time to adjust.
FAQs
Should I be worried about hair loss?
In general, most hair loss due to weight loss medications is temporary and clearly will resolve once the body adjusts itself or stabilizes.
How to stop semaglutide hair loss?
If you are interested in getting a growth cycle, use balanced nutrition, biotin supplements and manage stress. If possible, consider using minoxidil after consulting with your doctor.
What diabetic drugs cause hair loss?
No medication to treat diabetes directly leads to hair loss. But fast weight loss from GLP-1 drugs can induce temporary shedding.
