Weight Loss Medications Like Ozempic, Wegovy Could Be Beneficial for Menopausal Women

GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy and Ozempic, both containing the active ingredient semaglutide, may be beneficial for menopausal women.

While Ozempic is typically prescribed for individuals with type 2 diabetes, it may also be administered as Wegovy to aid in weight loss.

A recent 2022 study reported that overweight and obese patients who were treated with semaglutide lost 5.9% of their body weight after three months, and increased to 10.9% after six months.

Menopausal women make up one of the largest demographics for semaglutide use.

Weight gain is often experienced by women during menopause due to hormonal fluctuations. On average, women gain a pound a year during this period, with about 20% gaining 10 pounds or more.

So could GLP-1s offer some help to women at this stage of life?

This article will discuss how drugs such as Wegovy might affect menopausal women, the appropriate duration of semaglutide treatment for this population, and deciding if Wegovy is the correct choice.

Hormonal changes often result in weight gain during menopause.

“Fat tends to accumulate in the midsection during menopause, a time of significant hormonal change," says Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, MPA, associate professor of medicine and pediatrics, and obesity medicine physician-scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital.

During menopause, estrogen levels fall, which could lead to insulin resistance, Caroline Messer, MD, an endocrinologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital, elaborated.

Insulin resistance, coupled with further hormonal changes, can make weight loss particularly challenging for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women,” explained Lakshmi Priyanka Mahali, MD, an endocrinologist at Yale New Haven Health’s Northeast Medical Group.

Weight gain isn't the only change to be expected during this phase.

“Menopausal women are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart diseases,” Priyanka Mahali added. “Some studies indicate that excessive weight is associated with lowered self-esteem and aggravated hot flashes in menopausal women.”

GLP-1 drugs may address various aspects of menopause.

Ozempic may assist menopausal women in losing weight and mitigating the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. Weight loss can effectively treat vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, common in menopausal women.

“Medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro can restore insulin sensitivity and promote weight loss as well as decrease cardiovascular risk factors,” explained Messer.

It's essential to remember that not all women undergoing menopause need to take Ozempic.

“There seems to be a genetic link to weight gain and insulin resistance during menopause,” Messer added. “Despite undergoing menopause, many women can still maintain healthy body weights and blood sugar levels.”

An important factor to consider before starting Wegovy is whether the positive effects persist after discontinuation.

The same question arises for menopausal women taking GLP-1- can they stop once menopause concludes?

Stanford stated that for those who use Ozempic or Wegovy and experience weight loss and improved metabolic health, the need to continue the medications in the long term to retain these benefits is likely.

As these medications act on the brain's pathways to control weight, stopping them also discontinues their effect.

"Ozempic isn’t a quick-fix ‘weight loss injection’, but a long-term medication, which also applies to menopausal women,” adds Priyanka Mahali. “There is a risk of regaining weight after stopping Ozempic use."

But, not all women who begin a GLP-1 drug during menopause need to continue post-menopause.

“Some women may be able to maintain their weight loss even after treatment discontinuation, once their symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, and mood changes resolve,” said Messer.

Prior to starting GLP-1 drugs, patients should discuss certain issues with their healthcare provider.

Priyanka Mahali suggests discussing medical history, including pregnancy-related history (such as gestational diabetes), and any challenges or obstacles faced during weight loss.

There’s also not just one drug option—semaglutide may be the most commonly known medication for diabetes and weight loss, but others exist and may provide better options depending on the circumstance.

For instance, Mounjaro (terizaptide) has been shown to cause a higher percentage of weight loss compared to semaglutide, Priyanka Mahali explained.

Details like which drug is best can, and should, be discussed with a trusted healthcare provider.

But overall, GLP-1 drugs may be an appropriate choice for women experiencing menopause.

“Given all of the secondary benefits of these medications (including decreased clotting and inflammation, lower cardiovascular risk, and improvement in blood pressure, cholesterol, liver enzymes, and sleep apnea),” Messer said, “we should have a low threshold to consider these medications during menopause.”