GLP-1 Weight Loss Is Greater for Women on Hormone Replacement Therapy
Let’s talk about a new data point that deserves your attention if you’re a woman in midlife working to take control of your health—and your weight.
At the 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society, researchers presented findings that confirm what many of us have seen anecdotally: postmenopausal women on hormone therapy (HRT) experience greater weight loss on GLP-1 medications like tirzepatide than those who are not on hormones.
This isn’t just interesting—it’s important. And it’s exactly the kind of insight we need to be factoring into our conversations about weight management, especially in midlife.
Postmenopausal women on hormone therapy (HRT) experience greater weight loss on GLP-1 medications.
The Study: Who Was Involved and What They Found
The research focused on 160 women divided into four matched groups—premenopausal, perimenopausal, postmenopausal (no HRT), and postmenopausal (on HRT). All participants were on tirzepatide and were matched for key factors like diabetes status and baseline BMI.
Every group lost weight.
But here’s the standout:
Postmenopausal women on hormone therapy lost 19.9% of their total body fat.
Those not on hormone therapy lost significantly less—15.6%.
Premenopausal and perimenopausal women saw similar losses, around 18.7% and 18.6%, respectively.
That 4% gap between postmenopausal women with and without HRT? That’s not just statistical—it’s clinically meaningful. It could be the difference between feeling stuck and finally feeling in control.
Read the original Medscape article here: GLP-1 Weight Loss in Postmenopausal Women Greater With Hormone Therapy.
Why Hormones May Be Helping
There are two theories behind why this weight loss difference may exist:
Estrogen may enhance GLP-1’s appetite-suppressing effects.
Preclinical studies in mice suggest estrogen and GLP-1 signaling could work together. Estrogen appears to support GLP-1’s effects on appetite regulation, which may help explain why women on HRT are seeing stronger results with weight loss meds.The “healthy user” factor.
Women on HRT may already be more proactive about their health—managing vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes means they may sleep better, feel better, and move more. That lifestyle support, paired with medication, may amplify weight loss results.
The Real Talk: What This Means for You
Let me be clear: HRT is not a weight loss drug. And it’s not appropriate for everyone. But if you’re postmenopausal and already using or considering GLP-1s like tirzepatide for weight management, this is the kind of data that can support smarter, more personalized conversations with your healthcare provider.
This doesn’t mean you should start hormone therapy just to lose more weight. But it does mean that hormonal status matters—and that when we optimize hormonal health, we often see better outcomes across the board, including weight management.
My Take as a Women’s Health Physician
In my practice and programs, I see midlife women fight incredibly hard for results. They're eating better, moving more, and trying to stay consistent—but something still feels “off.” Often, it's hormonal imbalance that hasn't been addressed.
That’s why I take a dual approach: we talk science-backed interventions like GLP-1s when appropriate, and we evaluate hormonal health. Because the truth is: your hormones affect everything—your energy, your mood, your sleep, your ability to lose weight.
When you take control of both your hormones and your metabolic health, the results can be powerful. Sustainable. Empowering.
Final Thoughts
If you're a woman navigating menopause, weight gain, and confusion about what your options are—you're not alone. And you deserve more than a one-size-fits-all solution.
It’s time to move away from shame, restriction, and guesswork—and toward science, strategy, and support.
Whether it’s GLP-1 therapy, hormone therapy, or lifestyle coaching, you need a plan that’s aligned with your body, your stage of life, and your goals.
You are not stuck.
You are not broken.
And you are absolutely capable of taking control of your health and weight—on your terms.
Let’s get you the clarity and tools you need to move forward with confidence.
Reference:
Haelle, T. GLP-1 Weight Loss in Postmenopausal Women Greater With Hormone Therapy. Medscape. Nov 6, 2025. Link
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