Menopause and the efficacy of obesity medications

Menopause involves significant physiological changes in women, including hormonal shifts that can lead to increased abdominal fat and changes in body composition. These metabolic alterations raise questions regarding how menopause affects the efficacy of obesity medications, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide.

While estrogen reduction influences fat distribution and energy expenditure, current research does not suggest that menopause alone reduces the effectiveness of these weight-loss medications. A 2024 study involving postmenopausal women treated with semaglutide found that those using hormone therapy experienced an average weight loss of approximately 16%, compared to 12% in those not using hormone therapy.