GLP-1 and Menopause: What You Need To Know

Menopause and perimenopause can feel like a whirlwind of changes: hot flashes, mood swings, sleep disruptions, and for many women, unexpected weight gain. If you’ve noticed your body shifting in ways that feel hard to control, you’re definitely not alone. Hormonal shifts during this time often slow metabolism and encourage fat storage, especially around the abdomen. Fun, we know.

While self-care during menopause is deeply personal, some women are turning to new medical approaches to support their weight management journey. One promising option? GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Zepbound. If you’ve heard these names but aren’t sure what they do or whether they might be right for you, we’ve got you covered.

What are GLP-1 medications, and how do they work?

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a natural hormone in your body that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. Medications that mimic this hormone can help slow digestion, reduce hunger, and improve how your body manages insulin — the hormone that controls blood sugar.

GLP-1 medications work gradually to support healthier eating habits and better metabolic function. The result? Many people experience meaningful, sustained weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes such as balanced nutrition and physical activity.

Why do women gain weight during menopause?

Menopause is marked by a decline in estrogen, a key hormone that affects many body functions, including how fat is distributed and how your metabolism works. Estrogen helps regulate body weight by influencing where fat is stored and how efficiently your body burns calories.

When estrogen levels drop during menopause, fat tends to accumulate around the belly, which is associated with higher risks of metabolic diseases. Metabolism slows down as muscle mass decreases with age and hormonal changes, reducing your resting metabolic rate, so your body burns fewer calories at rest. Insulin resistance may increase as hormonal shifts can make your body less responsive to insulin, raising blood sugar levels and encouraging fat storage.

These changes mean that even if your diet and activity levels stay the same, your body might respond by gaining weight or holding onto fat more stubbornly than before. This can be discouraging, but it’s important to recognize these are natural parts of the menopausal transition.

Why might GLP-1 medications help during menopause?

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During perimenopause, estrogen levels drop while cortisol and insulin resistance often increase. This hormonal shift can trigger stubborn weight gain — especially around the belly — that isn’t always tied to diet or exercise.

GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Zepbound mimic the natural hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar. These medications can slow digestion, helping you feel full longer; reduce hunger signals, which can lower calorie intake; and improve insulin sensitivity, supporting better blood sugar balance.

For women experiencing menopausal weight gain, GLP-1s may be appealing because they address key issues caused by hormonal shifts, such as appetite regulation and insulin resistance. Since metabolism naturally slows during menopause, these medications can help manage hunger and blood sugar, making lifestyle changes feel more sustainable.

Unlike fad diets or extreme measures, GLP-1 treatments work gradually and are designed to support healthy, long-term weight management. It’s not about rapid weight loss but steady, medically supervised progress.

Lifestyle changes are essential

While GLP-1 medications can be a powerful tool, they work best when combined with healthy lifestyle habits, especially during menopause. Some important steps include:

• Balanced nutrition: Focus on nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats to support metabolism and reduce inflammation.
• Regular physical activity: Both aerobic exercise and strength training are key. Strength training is especially important during menopause because it helps maintain muscle mass and supports bone density — critical to reducing osteoporosis risk.
• Adequate sleep and stress management: Poor sleep and chronic stress can increase hunger hormones and insulin resistance, so prioritizing rest is beneficial.

Remember, GLP-1 medications are not substitutes for these healthy habits but rather an additional medical option to support your weight management during this phase of life.

What you need to know about safety and side effects

Like any medication, GLP-1 treatments come with important considerations.

Possible side effects may include nausea, digestive discomfort, or headaches, which are usually mild and occur mostly early in treatment. These medications carry a boxed warning about a potential increased risk of thyroid C-cell tumors based on animal studies, although no cases have been reported in humans. For this reason, women with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2 syndrome should avoid GLP-1 medications.

A thorough medical evaluation is necessary to determine whether GLP-1s are appropriate based on your health history and current conditions. Because of these factors, GLP-1 medications should always be used under medical supervision and as part of a comprehensive care plan.

Making informed decisions about weight management during menopause

Menopause is a unique stage that calls for tailored approaches to self-care and weight management. Hormonal shifts, lifestyle factors, and aging mean the “old ways” of managing weight might not work as well.

GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Zepbound offer a science-backed option that aligns with your body’s changes — helping with appetite control and metabolic health in a gradual, medically supported way.

But this is not a magic bullet. Weight care during menopause requires compassion for your body’s journey, patience for gradual progress, and commitment to healthy habits that support overall wellbeing.

If you’re interested in exploring medical weight management options, consider consulting with a healthcare provider who can evaluate your needs and guide you toward safe, effective choices.

Struggling with weight gain during menopause? LifeMD offers access to virtual GLP-1 care, personalized treatment, and insurance support — plans may start as low as $0-$25 copay.* See if you qualify here.

* Take precaution with and read all warnings concerning GLP-1s, as they may cause serious side effects, including a risk of thyroid c-cell tumors. Do not use if you or your family have a history of a type of thyroid cancer called MTC (medullary thyroid carcinoma) or MEN 2 (multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome). Copay determined by insurance coverage. $0-$25 is based on our average patient copay that is approved and covered for GLP1 treatment through LifeMD.

Kristyn Hodgdon is a passionate women's health advocate and the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Rescripted, where she helps break down complicated medical info into content that's easy to understand — and actually helpful. As an IVF mom who’s experienced pregnancy loss and lives with PCOS, Kristyn blends her professional know-how with real-life experience to support others navigating similar journeys. Her work has been featured on Good Morning America, ScaryMommy, and more, and she’s the host of the podcast From First Period To Last Period. A Fordham University grad, Kristyn also volunteers with the Fly Again Foundation, which supports breast cancer patients. You can find her on Instagram or connect with her on Linkedin.