Sophia Umansky, the daughter of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards, has shared a candid account of significant hair loss following rapid weight loss while using the prescription medication Mounjaro.
The 25-year-old posted a video on TikTok on Wednesday showing visible clumps of hair she said had fallen out while brushing and showering. In a lighthearted remark that underscored her concern, Umansky joked that she expected to be bald “in about a week” if the hair loss continued at its current pace.
Umansky explained that she began taking Mounjaro roughly four months ago and noticed dramatic hair shedding over the past three to four weeks. She documented the extent of the hair loss by filming hair left in her sink before showering and strands collected during the shower itself.
While acknowledging the alarming change, Umansky said she does not believe the medication itself is directly responsible. Instead, she attributed the hair loss to rapid weight reduction and nutritional deficiencies that accompanied the process. She said that when she first started the medication, her primary concern was eating enough food, rather than focusing on proper nutrition, including sufficient protein and vitamins.
Since noticing the hair loss, Umansky said she has made dietary changes to address the issue. She is now prioritizing protein intake, adding more vitamins, experimenting with shampoos and conditioners designed to reduce hair thinning, and increasing her collagen consumption to support hair health.
Mounjaro is a prescription drug manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company and is approved for improving blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 diabetes. The medication contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, which is also marketed under the brand name Zepbound. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Zepbound for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or those who are overweight with at least one weight-related health condition.
In a statement to The Independent, a spokesperson for Eli Lilly emphasized that Mounjaro is not approved for weight loss and that the company does not promote off-label use of its medications. The spokesperson added that hair loss has been observed in various weight loss interventions, including bariatric surgery, and is listed as a potential side effect in Zepbound’s labeling.
According to Eli Lilly, clinical trials of Zepbound showed hair loss occurred more frequently in female patients than male patients. Hair loss was reported in 7.1% of female patients receiving Zepbound compared to 0.5% of male patients, while lower rates were observed in placebo groups. No patients receiving Zepbound discontinued treatment due to hair loss.
Medical sources note that Umansky’s symptoms are consistent with telogen effluvium, a condition characterized by temporary hair shedding triggered by physical stressors such as rapid weight loss. The condition typically resolves over several months once the underlying cause is addressed.
Umansky is among a growing number of public figures discussing the use of medications like Mounjaro for weight management. Singer Meghan Trainor recently revealed that she and her husband, actor Daryl Sabara, have used the medication after consulting with their doctor. Trainor said she chose Mounjaro after researching its side effect profile and determining it felt like a safe option for her.
As the popularity of prescription weight-loss medications continues to grow, Umansky’s experience highlights the importance of medical supervision, balanced nutrition, and awareness of potential side effects associated with rapid weight loss.
