If you’ve been following the The Change Is Personal blog, you’ve undoubtedly seen some of our articles about hormones and weight management. As a woman experiencing perimenopause or menopause, weight gain is often one of the first (and most frustrating) symptoms of this stage of life.
After all, you’re eating and exercising as much as you always have – so, why isn’t it working as well anymore? Why are your pants getting tighter instead of looser? Is all your effort simply lost on menopause?
Don’t lose hope.
In a recent presentation to providers, one of our expert Belmar pharmacists, Rachel Noonan, PharmD, researched the connection between weight loss, hormones, and semaglutide (the medication originally designed to help manage diabetes by controlling blood sugar and supporting weight loss in overweight or obese individuals).
Semaglutide, a compounded injectable medication, may help you manage your weight during perimenopause and menopause. However, as Rachel discusses in her presentation, many providers and patients alike are unaware that balancing your hormones may actually enhance the effects of semaglutide for weight management. Keep reading! It gets even more interesting.
In her presentation, Rachel talks about a recent study that examined weight loss for menopausal women. One group of women were on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) with estradiol and progesterone, plus semaglutide, while the other group only took semaglutide for weight loss, without attempting to replace their declining hormones.
This breaking study determined that women who were on BHRT and semaglutide at the same time lost more weight than the women who were only taking semaglutide. Women on BHRT and semaglutide lost roughly 30% more weight than the women who were only getting semaglutide injections without addressing their hormones.
Thirty percent more weight loss!
That 30% could mean for every 10 lbs. you lose, you can potentially lose an additional 3 lbs! So, if you lose 20 lbs, it could be the difference of six additional pounds. It’s important to note that addressing your hormones and weight loss simultaneously isn’t a quick fix. It takes time to achieve your personal goals, but it’s a promising possibility.
Long-term outcomes.
In this same study, by the 12-month mark, hormone therapy use combined with semaglutide was associated with a higher likelihood of achieving 10% or more total body weight loss – meaning, there was a better chance of weight management success a year after the women began semaglutide and hormone therapies. Another win for the menopausal women.
Whether you’re considering semaglutide for weight management, or just trying to navigate the unexpected twists and turns of perimenopause and menopause symptoms, it’s important to note that hormonal support is critical for optimizing energy, fat distribution, and maintaining lean mass as you get older. Hormones, as it turns out, play a pivotal role in midlife weight management, but many providers are either unaware or untrained when it comes to The Change.
We wanted to share this information with you so you can make a more informed decision if you’re considering semaglutide (or you’re already taking it for weight loss). Consider too, how adding personalized hormone therapies from a trusted compounding pharmacy like Belmar Pharmacy, can potentially affect your semaglutide weight-loss outcome.
Beyond losing weight, you’ll feel better in general because you’re replacing essential hormones that your body needs to feel (and look) your best.