Latest news with #Chemist4U
Metro
2 days ago
- Health
- Metro
I thought I couldn't have kids until my 'surprise' Mounjaro baby
After being diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) aged just 15, Rachael Knight Gullette knew she'd struggle to have children. PCOS affects how the ovaries work — in particular how eggs grow and how many are released, which can make it difficult to get pregnant. 'It was my greatest fear not being about to have children,' Rachael, 41, says. 'I knew [PCOS] would make it difficult.' But Rachael and her husband Brad, 44, dreamt of having a child. After looking into IVF, the pandemic hit and 'put things on hold', so Rachael decided to focus on improving her own health to aid her fertility. She explains: 'I knew I had to change things. I had high blood pressure, cholesterol, heart palpitations and heavy water retention that had already sent me to a cardiologist.' While she 'always assumed' she'd still require fertility treatments, doctors advised the then 39-year-old that losing weight could help boost her chances of becoming a mum. 'I knew it was kind of now or never for me to have a family,' Rachael, from Kentucky, says. So in July 2022, she started taking Mounjaro, an injectable GLP-1 medication for weight loss management (also prescribed for treating type 2 diabetes in the UK). The results were remarkable, and Rachael lost 172lbs (12st 4lbs) in around 18 months, going from 22st 7lbs to 10st 3lbs. 'It changed the way my body and my brain worked,' she recalls. 'It shut off all the food noise, it helps with reward center regulation, and that's what really helped me along with helping my insulin resistance.' What surprised Rachael the most though, was how quickly the medication and subsequent weight loss affected her reproductive health, even before significant weight loss occurred. 'My cycle went from 90 days to 30 days in the first two months on the medication,' she adds. Just one month after reaching her maintenance weight, Rachael missed her period and discovered she was pregnant — without any fertility treatment whatsoever. She adds: 'I was completely shocked. We still anticipated that at 41, I would have to go through fertility treatment in addition to losing weight. But without even really trying, we ended up pregnant.' Today, Rachael and Brad are parents to seven-month-old Everett, a healthy baby boy. 'At the time, I didn't know the medication would help fertility, beyond the losing weight making it easier,' she says. 'But this was a happy surprise.' Jason Murphy, prescribing lead at Chemist4U tells Metro that it's 'important to understand' that Mounjaro isn't a fertility treatment, adding: 'It helps by addressing the underlying issue – excess weight – that may be preventing conception.' 'It is important to note that Mounjaro should not be used during pregnancy or when actively trying to conceive,' Jason says. 'Women planning to start a family should discuss stopping the medication with their healthcare provider well before, as it's not well understood how the medicine can affect a growing baby.' Dr Gareth Nye agrees, adding: 'It's also not recommended for women who are breastfeeding. This is because we do not have sufficient data on the potential danger to the growing baby. 'It is becoming clear that in women who are overweight, Mounjaro reduces the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, particularly in the first four weeks after their first injection.' Recently, there has been some evidence to suggest that Mounjaro, and other medications like it, can boost a woman's chance of getting pregnant. Dr Gareth Nye, a lecturer at Salford University and an expert in maternal and foetal health, tells Metro that while 'most of the fertility improvements come from the weight loss directly', there are other ways that Mounjaro might support fertility. He explains: 'Fat tissue produces a hormone known as leptin. This directly interacts with hormones from the brain which controls and regulates your menstrual cycles and ultimately your fertility. 'Women need some leptin in the system to allow for growth and development of the uterus but levels outside of the normal range, either too high or too low, will prevent menstrual cycles and limit fertility. PCOS sufferers will also have higher leptin levels than women who don't have the disease. 'Mounjaro will ultimately lead to a decrease in fat tissue and therefore a decrease in leptin signals which in some women will improve fertility. 'In addition, GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro have been show to improve egg ovulation.' But while getting pregnant was exactly the outcome Rachael and Brad had hoped for, that's not the case for every woman using weight loss injections. Earlier this month, the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) warned that weight loss jabs may make the contraceptive pill less affective. More Trending The theory is that the pill isn't absorbed properly due to vomiting and diarrhoea, which is a common side effect of the medication. As such, the MHRA has advised that those using Mounjaro who are also on the pill (or who use other methods, such as the coil) should use condoms for four weeks after starting the drug. Rachael hopes though, for the women who are do want to get pregnant, Mounjaro will become more readily available. 'I am forever grateful for the opportunity to be on this medication,' she says. Follow Rachael on TikTok @mylittlelovenest. Known as tirzepatide and marketed under the brand name Mounjaro, the drug injection helps people to manage blood sugar. It works in a similar way to semaglutide – sold as Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus – which are in the same family of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist medications. Administered by weekly injections, tirzepatide changes hormone levels in the body to slow down how fast food is digested. This make you feel more full, for longer, on less food. Alongside healthy eating and exercise, this can help people lose weight. Warning it is 'not a magic bullet', Dr Kath McCullough, NHS England's national speciality adviser for obesity, said: 'Weight loss drugs, such as tirzepatide, are an important tool in helping people lose weight while also reducing the risk of other serious long-term conditions such as diabetes, strokes and heart attacks. 'However, on their own, weight loss drugs are not a magic bullet. 'They need to be prescribed by a healthcare professional alongside programmes that help people lose weight and live healthier lives by making changes to their diet and physical activity – and it's also crucial that they are prioritised for those who need them most.' Mounjaro can cause side effects like nausea, heartburn, constipation, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, gallstones, or inflammation of the gallbladder. Affecting more than one in 10 people taking the drug, these side effects are usually mild and fade after a few weeks. They can increase with higher doses. It has also been linked with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, experts warned. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ View More » MORE: Inside the mind of a parent killer: 'I shouldn't have been part of that family' MORE: Six UK companies that give dads 52 weeks paid paternity leave MORE: A doctor said no one would ever love me – I proved him wrong Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Daily Record
04-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Popular sleep aid 'can cause nightmares', pharmacist warns
If you're struggling to sleep at night, there are a number of things you can do to try and improve your sleep routine Many of us find it difficult to sleep at night, especially if thoughts are still swirling around your mind as your head hits the pillow. Some people try things like cutting back on caffeine during the day, or performing breathing exercises to relax. And then there are sleep aids, which can be taken in the short-term. However, one pharmacist has said these should only be used as a last resort, with some having some less than ideal side effects. Ian Budd of Chemist4U previously spoke to the Mirror about one of the most common sleep aids, which involves a synthetic version of the sleep hormone melatonin, which our bodies naturally produce at night to regulate sleep. However, synthetic melatonin - which should only be taken for short periods if you're having trouble sleeping - can have "unpleasant side effects". Therefore, Ian advises seeking medical advice before using melatonin as a sleep aid. He said: "Melatonin can be found in a medicine called Circadin. If you've been struggling with your sleep cycle for a while, it's likely you know that melatonin is a natural chemical in the body that helps you to fall asleep. "But, make sure you know what you're getting into before you pick up your prescription, as Circadin can have some pretty unpleasant side effects such as abnormal nightmares, night sweats and weight gain. Sleep aids should only be used as a last resort, after first trying to make some lifestyle changes, such as improving your bedtime routine, cutting down caffeine intake and managing stress. "We would recommend consulting with your doctor before using melatonin as a sleep aid to avoid any unwanted side effects."
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Pill taken by many linked to 'weight gain and nightmares'
A pharmacist has warned about some negative side effects Falling asleep can often be a challenge, particularly if you find your mind still buzzing as you're trying to nod off. There are several strategies people use for a better bedtime routine, including cutting back on caffeine during the day, or trying breathing exercises to relax. There are also medications you an use to aid sleep, though one one pharmacist urges caution, highlighting that these should be a last recourse due to potential adverse effects like nightmares and weight gain. Ian Budd from Chemist4U previously spoke to the Mirror about such remedies, which often contain a synthetic variant of the sleep-regulating hormone melatonin. He warned against the prolonged use of synthetic melatonin due to risks of "unpleasant side effects" such as nightmares, night sweats, and potential weight gain, suggesting it's essential to consult a healthcare professional before using melatonin products. Ian said: "Melatonin can be found in a medicine called Circadin. "If you've been struggling with your sleep cycle for a while, it's likely you know that melatonin is a natural chemical in the body that helps you to fall asleep. But, make sure you know what you're getting into before you pick up your prescription, as Circadin can have some pretty unpleasant side effects such as abnormal nightmares, night sweats and weight gain. "Sleep aids should only be used as a last resort, after first trying to make some lifestyle changes, such as improving your bedtime routine, cutting down caffeine intake and managing stress. We would recommend consulting with your doctor before using melatonin as a sleep aid to avoid any unwanted side effects."
