During menopause, your body undergoes significant changes. Where you may have previously seen results with a reduced calorie intake or increased exercise, losing weight during this phase can become more challenging. Many women find that, despite making conscious choices about their diet and lifestyle, shedding weight becomes increasingly difficult.
Hormonal changes play a larger role in this than is often recognised. These changes impact your metabolism, fat distribution, and appetite. Fortunately, there are ways to better understand what is happening in your body and to support it effectively. On this page, you’ll learn what weight loss medication could mean for you. We explain how it works, when it might be worth considering, and what options are available. This way, you can make an informed decision about what best suits your situation.
Your oestrogen and progesterone levels gradually decrease, with oestrogen levels fluctuating significantly during this phase – and this has more impact on your weight than many women realise:
The result can be that, despite maintaining similar eating and exercise habits, you still gain weight or find it harder to lose weight. Hormonal changes influence how your body manages energy, fat storage, and satiety.
Many women notice that their bodies respond differently to food and exercise during menopause. This requires a different approach than before.
Weight loss medication is designed to support weight loss in individuals who struggle to lose weight, such as during menopause. These medications work in various ways: they can stabilise blood sugar levels, reduce appetite, or limit fat absorption. They are available in different forms, such as injections or capsules, and are prescribed by a doctor based on your medical situation.
During menopause, your body changes, but diet, exercise, and relaxation remain essential pillars. Even when weight loss medication is used, lifestyle forms the foundation upon which other treatment options are built.
Several lifestyle factors play a clear role in this:
Weight loss medication can provide support but does not replace a healthy lifestyle. It is always considered part of a broader approach.
Despite healthy eating, sufficient exercise, and attention to relaxation, losing weight during menopause can remain challenging. Some women continue to gain weight or experience a plateau in weight loss, even when lifestyle adjustments are carefully implemented.
In such cases, weight loss medication can be an additional treatment option. This medication is used when lifestyle changes alone are insufficient and can help the body manage hunger, satiety, or fat absorption differently.
Doctors follow specific guidelines when prescribing weight loss medication, depending on the type of medication.
For injectable weight loss medication, the following criteria apply:
Additionally, a doctor always considers the overall picture: your lifestyle, medical history, any menopausal symptoms, and what is appropriate and desirable for your situation.
Weight loss medication is not the right step for everyone. In the following situations, it’s important to carefully assess whether this treatment is suitable or to (temporarily) refrain from it:
Because weight loss medication affects various processes in the body, it is always used based on medical advice and supervision.
Are you unsure whether weight loss medication is suitable for your situation? A doctor can help you determine the most appropriate approach at this time.
Weight loss medication comes in various forms, each with its own mechanism and method of administration. These medications are available as capsules or tablets that you take daily, or as injections that you administer yourself. Each medication has a different mechanism, active ingredient, and effect. Most medications contain one or more active substances that suppress appetite, increase fat burning, or reduce fat absorption.
Which medication is most suitable depends on your symptoms, health, and preference for capsules or injections. A doctor will always assess which option is appropriate for your situation. Below are the main categories outlined.
Medication that affects blood sugar, hunger, and satiety (GLP-1 medication)
Fat absorption inhibitors
Combination medications affecting mood and appetite
Do you know which weight loss medication you want to use? You can request a product via SeeMe-nopause. A doctor will always first assess whether the medication is suitable for your health and medical history. If the medication is appropriate, it will be delivered to your home via the pharmacy.
Are you unsure which option suits you best, or do you have other menopausal symptoms in addition to weight concerns? You can opt for an intake. Fill out a medical questionnaire and receive personalised treatment advice from a doctor within 48 hours.
