Are Weight Loss Jabs the Answer to Menopause Weight Gain? What Women Need to Know

In recent years, weight loss injections like Ozempic (semaglutide) and Wegovy have dominated headlines, social media feeds, and even conversations in the GP’s surgery. Marketed as game-changers for people struggling with obesity, these medications—known as GLP-1 receptor agonists—were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes. But they’ve quickly been adopted for weight management too.

For women going through perimenopause and menopause, when hormonal shifts can make weight gain feel inevitable and stubborn, the appeal of something that promises “effortless” weight loss is understandable. But are these injections a magic solution—or do they come with strings attached?

Let’s break it down.

What Are GLP-1 Injections?

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone naturally released in the gut that helps regulate blood sugar, slows gastric emptying, and affects appetite by acting on the brain’s hunger centres. GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs mimic this hormone, helping people feel full sooner and eat less.

Wegovy (approved for weight management in the UK in 2023) and Ozempic (approved for diabetes but often prescribed off-label for weight loss) are the most well-known.

What About Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)?

A newer weight loss injection gaining attention is Mounjaro, which contains tirzepatide. Unlike Ozempic and Wegovy, which mimic only one hormone (GLP-1), Mounjaro mimics both GLP-1 and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide)—two hormones that help regulate blood sugar and appetite. Early clinical trials suggest that tirzepatide may lead to greater weight loss than semaglutide, with some participants losing over 20% of their body weight (SURMOUNT-1 trial, 2022). However, it may also carry similar or greater risks of side effects, such as nausea, gastrointestinal upset, and muscle loss. In the UK, Mounjaro has recently been approved for managing type 2 diabetes and may be considered for obesity management under specialist care. Like other GLP-1 medications, it is not a magic fix, and long-term success still depends on sustainable lifestyle changes.

The Potential Benefits

• Appetite suppression: These medications make you feel fuller for longer, helping reduce food intake.

• Blood sugar regulation: Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, they can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood glucose levels.

• Weight loss: In clinical trials, average weight loss is around 10–15% of body weight over a year when combined with lifestyle changes.

• Reduced risk of some obesity-related conditions: Such as heart disease and pre-diabetes, although long-term data in non-diabetic populations is still emerging.

  
  

• The Downsides and Health Risks

  While the benefits sound compelling, it's crucial to understand the risks and limitations—especially for midlife women who may have unique health needs.

  Gastrointestinal side effects

  Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation are very common. Some women find these symptoms intolerable, leading to discontinuation.

  Muscle loss

  Weight loss on GLP-1 drugs isn’t selective. Research shows a significant proportion of the weight lost is lean muscle mass—not just fat. This is concerning during and after menopause, when muscle mass naturally declines and resistance training becomes more important to maintain strength and metabolic health.

  Gallbladder problems

  Rapid weight loss increases the risk of gallstones and other gallbladder issues, which may require surgical intervention.

  Thyroid and pancreas concerns

  Although rare, there are warnings about potential links with pancreatitis and medullary thyroid carcinoma. Anyone with a personal or family history of thyroid cancer should avoid these medications.

  Not suitable during pregnancy

  Women trying to conceive or already pregnant should avoid these drugs, as there is insufficient data to show whether or not these drugs are safe for the developing fetus or breastfeeding infant.

  
  

  The Psychological Risk: What Happens When Food Is Your Coping Tool?

  Perhaps the most overlooked—but incredibly important—aspect of using weight loss injections is their impact on your relationship with food.

  
  

  For many women, especially during perimenopause and menopause when life stressors and emotional upheaval are common, food becomes more than fuel. It can be a source of comfort, distraction, and control. If underlying patterns of emotional eating, bingeing, or chronic restriction haven’t been addressed, using a drug that suppresses appetite might feel like a quick fix—but it doesn’t heal the root cause.

  
  

  When food is no longer available as a coping mechanism, those emotions don’t just disappear—they can resurface in other harmful ways: anxiety, low mood, or even substance use. Some women report feeling emotionally numb or disconnected during treatment, and when the medication stops, overeating can return with greater intensity.

  Weight management is as much about mindset and habits as it is about biology.

  
  

  Weight Regain Is Common After Stopping

  
  

  Another key issue is sustainability. Most of the available evidence shows that once these drugs are stopped, weight regain is highly likely—unless intensive lifestyle changes have been embedded alongside the medication.

  In a 2022 follow-up to the STEP 1 trial, participants regained two-thirds of their lost weight within a year of stopping semaglutide.

  
  

  So, who might they be right for?

  
  

  Weight loss injections like semaglutide or liraglutide may be appropriate for some individuals—particularly those with a BMI of 30 or above, or a BMI of 27 or above with weight-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea. These medications are typically prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, often when lifestyle interventions alone have not led to sufficient weight loss, and when there is a recognised medical need. In the UK, their use must be guided by a healthcare professional and based on clinical criteria, as outlined by NICE guidelines. They may also be used under specialist supervision for individuals with a significant risk of cardiovascular disease linked to obesity. However, they are not a first-line solution, nor are they appropriate for cosmetic weight loss or short-term goals.

  
  

  Why Our Fullness Signals Often Stop Working—and How to Switch Them Back On

  
  

  One of the lesser-known challenges in today’s food environment is that our natural appetite regulation systems—the hormones and brain pathways that tell us when we’ve had enough—can become disrupted. In a world full of highly processed, hyper-palatable foods (often high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats), our satiety signals can be overridden. These foods are designed to be irresistible, activating the brain's reward system in a way that encourages us to keep eating, even when we’re not physically hungry.

  
  

  In perimenopause and beyond, hormonal changes can further reduce our sensitivity to leptin (the hormone that helps us feel full) and increase levels of ghrelin (the hormone that stimulates hunger), especially if we’re sleep-deprived or stressed.

  
  

  The good news? You can support your satiety signals to work more effectively again—without extreme measures. Prioritising meals rich in protein, fibre, and healthy fats helps slow digestion and keeps you fuller for longer. Eating mindfully, reducing ultra-processed foods, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and allowing time between meals all help to recalibrate your body’s hunger and fullness cues. It’s not about rigid control—it’s about reconnecting with your body’s innate wisdom.

  
  
  
  

  A Word on Menopause Weight Gain and the Pressure to Shrink

  
  

  As a nutritionist and a woman in midlife myself, I want to pause here and speak honestly.

  One of the most troubling aspects of this surge in interest around weight loss injections is the unspoken message behind it—especially for women in perimenopause and menopause. It’s the idea that we become less acceptable, less attractive, or somehow less valuable because our bodies have changed.

  
  

  And change they do. During menopause, shifts in oestrogen and progesterone can affect where our fat is stored, our muscle mass, our hunger signals, and even our sleep and stress responses. These changes are part of nature—not a failure or flaw.

  Yet so many women feel pressured to “get back” to how they were in their 30s. As though shrinking themselves is the key to being accepted or worthy. Yes, carrying excess weight—particularly around the middle—can increase the risk of certain health conditions like type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, and heart disease. But pursuing weight loss for health is very different from believing you must lose weight to be acceptable or to feel good in your skin.

  
  

  I understand how upsetting it can feel when you no longer recognise your body. That discomfort is real. It can knock your confidence and make you feel less like you. But I also want you to know this:

  
  

  You are allowed to take up space.You are allowed to change.And you are allowed to want to feel better—not by fighting your body, but by supporting it with compassion, nourishment, movement, and rest.

What I Believe In

It’s my mission to help midlife women feel energised, empowered, and in control of their health—whether or not that involves weight loss.

Some women do lose weight through our work together. Others shift their habits, lower their blood pressure or cholesterol, sleep better, feel stronger, and reclaim a sense of vitality that has nothing to do with their dress size.

Weight loss might be part of your journey. But it’s not the only measure of success—and it certainly isn’t the only path to feeling good in your body.

If you’re tired of the pressure to shrink yourself, or unsure where to turn next, I’m here to guide you with science, empathy, and no judgement.

Ready to feel like you again?

If you’re navigating midlife changes and feeling lost in a sea of advice, fads, and pressure to shrink yourself, let’s talk. Whether your goal is to lose weight, boost your energy, or simply feel good in your body again, I’m here to support you with personalised, compassionate, evidence-based guidance.

Book your free health and energy review here

Or get in touch to find out more about my one-to-one and group programmes - Juliet@julietgreenhalghnutrition.com.