GLP-1 Drugs, Hormone Therapy May Promote Weight Loss

• A new study found that postmenopausal females who use hormone therapy in combination with tirzepatide experience greater weight loss compared to those who don’t.
• Tirzepatide (Zepbound) is an FDA-approved medication prescribed for weight loss. It’s also the active ingredient in the GLP-1 medication Mounjaro to treat type 2 diabetes.
• The findings could expand treatment possibilities for females experiencing obesity or obesity-related conditions after menopause.

Menopause can accelerate age-related weight gain.

This life transition can also increase the likelihood of developing overweight or obesity, which are risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The findings could help expand treatment possibilities for postmenopausal females with obesity and comorbid health conditions.

Mir Ali, MD, a bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, wasn’t involved in the study but said the findings were significant.

“The results are consistent with what we observe in bariatric practice — specifically, that postmenopausal hormonal changes can significantly impact a woman’s weight,” Ali told Healthline.

Around three out of four females experience hot flashes. They are most common in the year before your period stops and during the year after. However, they can last for up to 14 years after menopause.

MHT helps replenish ovarian hormones lost during the menopausal transition. It is this drop in hormones that is believed to be responsible for symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and weight gain.

This study, led by the Mayo Clinic, reviewed data from 120 participants who had overweight or obesity and received tirzepatide for 12 months or longer.

Individuals who received both hormone therapy and tirzepatide were compared to ones with similar characteristics who were not using hormone therapy.

The results showed the combined treatment led to 35% greater weight loss.

“This was an interesting and encouraging finding,” said Amy Roskin, MD, JD, a board certified OB/GYN and Chief Medical Officer at Seven Starling, a women’s health platform, who wasn’t involved in the study.

“There haven’t been many studies looking at how this class of medications might work together with hormone therapy. Many women find it really challenging to manage postmenopausal weight gain, and this could be a reasonable option depending on a person’s specific situation,” she said.

Roskin told Healthline the findings could help influence treatment for postmenopausal weight gain.

“More studies need to be done to further confirm and expand our knowledge base here,” she said.

Despite these preliminary results, the findings are significant. Future studies can help verify the results while controlling for the other factors.

“I would like to see future research focus on the specific dosages and optimal timing for hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women to optimize weight loss and health in general,” Ali said.

As senior study author Maria Daniela Hurtado Andrade, MD, PhD, endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic, explained in a press release: “Because this was not a randomized trial, we cannot say hormone therapy caused additional weight loss.”

According to the study author, it’s possible the participants using hormone therapy were already engaged in healthier behaviors.

Hurtado Andrade further posited that relief from menopause symptoms may have improved participants’ quality of life, making it easier to stay engaged with physical activity and dietary changes.

There are other proven strategies that can aid weight loss in postmenopausal females.

According to The Menopause Society, lifestyle changes are the foundation for weight management. The organization suggests the following:

“It’s also important to look into other contributing factors. For example, some thyroid conditions can contribute to weight gain, so testing should be part of the evaluation as well,” said Roskin.

Roskin recommended following up with a healthcare professional to get a comprehensive assessment for any menopause-related weight gain. She said this can help guide a treatment plan that accounts for your specific situation.