At just 15 years old, Rachael Knight Gullette was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that affects how the ovaries function and often makes it difficult to conceive. Knowing this, she feared she might never have children. Now 41, Rachael and her husband Brad, 44, held onto their dream of starting a family despite the challenges.
The couple had considered in vitro fertilization (IVF), but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed their plans. During this pause, Rachael chose to focus on improving her health to support fertility. She struggled with high blood pressure, cholesterol issues, heart palpitations, and severe water retention, which led her to see a cardiologist. Doctors advised that losing weight could increase her chances of becoming a mother, although she still expected to need fertility treatments.
Rachael began taking Mounjaro, an injectable medication originally used to manage type 2 diabetes and weight loss. The drug belongs to the same class as Ozempic. Over approximately 18 months, Rachael lost an impressive 172 pounds, dropping from 22 stone 7 pounds (about 315 pounds) to 10 stone 3 pounds (about 143 pounds). She credits the medication with not only helping her lose weight but also changing how her body and brain worked by reducing cravings and improving insulin resistance.
Remarkably, Rachael noticed improvements in her reproductive health early in the process. Her menstrual cycle shortened from 90 days to 30 days within two months of starting the medication. One month after reaching her target weight, she missed her period and found out she was pregnant—without undergoing any fertility treatments.
“I was completely shocked,” Rachael said. “We thought I would need fertility treatment, but without even trying, I became pregnant.”
Today, Rachael and Brad are parents to a healthy seven-month-old son named Everett. She calls her pregnancy a “happy surprise” and did not expect the medication to directly improve her fertility beyond the benefits of weight loss.
Experts caution, however, that Mounjaro is not a fertility drug. Jason Murphy, prescribing lead at Chemist4U, stresses that the medication targets excess weight, which can be a barrier to conception. He warns women not to use Mounjaro during pregnancy or while actively trying to conceive, and to consult healthcare providers about stopping the medication beforehand. There is also little information on its safety during breastfeeding.
Dr. Gareth Nye, a maternal and fetal health specialist at Salford University, explains that weight loss medications like Mounjaro may support fertility by reducing fat tissue and altering hormone levels. Fat cells produce leptin, a hormone that influences menstrual cycles and fertility. Women with PCOS often have high leptin levels, which can disrupt fertility. By lowering fat and leptin levels, the medication may help restore fertility and improve ovulation.
Despite these potential benefits, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency recently warned that weight loss injections might reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. This may be due to side effects such as vomiting and diarrhea, which interfere with pill absorption. The agency advises women on Mounjaro who use contraception to also use condoms for four weeks after starting treatment.
Rachael hopes that more women struggling with infertility will gain access to weight loss treatments like Mounjaro. She remains grateful for the medication that helped her achieve her dream of motherhood.
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