CQC-regulated clinics & online consultations
Posted on October 27, 2026 by Sally-Anne Turner
It has lots of names culturally. The change. Second spring. Or the midlife transition.
For women going through it, there is nothing spring-like about menopause.
With this stage in life often comes weight gain, sleep disturbances, mood swings and brain fog. Pair this with the pressures of modern life, and it can cause exhaustion and intense emotional distress.
As many as 70–90% of women in the UK in either perimenopause or menopause experience weight gain. And for many, joining the gym is only a partial fix. So, for women who have gone up a few dress sizes, weight loss injections or GLP-1s may help.
At the Bodyline Clinic, we know that losing weight is hard. More so if you are going through the menopause. This is why our clinical team offers specialised support to those who need more than a quick prescription. We have almost 20 years of medical weight loss experience, and our team has helped over 100,000 people across the UK reach their goals.
But we know what you are thinking. Do the medications we provide have any impact on hormonally based weight gain? And can they exacerbate symptoms of the change?
Let’s do a quick rundown of menopause symptoms.
We have spoken in the past about GLP-1s and insomnia. Even though there is no clinical data that suggest that GLP-1s like Wegovy or Mounjaro cause insomnia, they can exacerbate this issue in people who may already have underlying mental health issues.
If you are experiencing insomnia as a symptom of either perimenopause or menopause, does taking a GLP-1 worsen this? The current data does not suggest that this will be an outcome to worry about. With both Wegovy and Mounjaro, the SmPC’s do not list insomnia as a side effect. However, if you have underlying depression or anxiety, then there is a potentially higher risk of sleep issues when taking a GLP-1.
Other hormonal symptoms can occur with menopause. And they also overlap with the symptoms of GLP-1s.
You know the ones we mean. Diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain and acid reflux. While there is no data on how GLP-1s may impact insomnia in women who are going through the menopause, there is some research into the area of gastrointestinal issues.
The 2025 SURMOUNT analysis included 2542 women. Some were in the included pre-, peri- and postmenopausal groups.
Gastrointestinal issues were common across all groups while taking tirzepatide (Mounjaro), but the researchers did not determine this to be the sole cause. As always, these symptoms seemed to escalate with dose titrations. From that, it seems that GLP-1’s (or at least Mounjaro) do not worsen that area of menopause symptoms.
If you are looking for menopause advice, particularly when symptoms overlap with medication side effects, it is worth discussing these concerns with your GP and GLP-1 prescriber.
It can feel like a game that has had the rules changed halfway through. Your previous diet, exercise and wellbeing routine is no longer working to keep the weight off.
There is data from the Menopause Network that suggests the average woman gains 2–5 kg during the menopause transition. So, a woman may jump from a size 10 to a size 12, even with the same workout routine and diet. It is truly unfair!
This leads to the question we have heard a lot at the Bodyline Clinic. Can GLP-1s help you lose weight caused by hormonal changes?
The research in this area is more specific. And it’s good news.
There was a study conducted in 2024 which included 106 women who were postmenopausal and were also obese. 90 of these women were taking semaglutide, and 16 were taking both semaglutide and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). After 12 months, the women who were taking both MHT and semaglutide reported 30% more total body weight loss.
The reasons may not be as clear-cut as semaglutide causing this. The MHT may have reduced night sweats and insomnia, which led to more energy to exercise. This is also where questions about Mounjaro vs Wegovy become relevant. Both medications can support weight loss in eligible patients, but there is currently limited research directly comparing their effectiveness specifically for menopause-related weight gain or in women taking HRT.
We are all aware that mental health issues can come with the menopause.
Data from the Menopause Charity highlights that as many as 50% of women experience—
Some women also report a drop in self-esteem. Oddly, researchers also link this time in life to an increase in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses in women. Menopause matters, particularly when it comes to mental health. Symptoms such as anxiety, depression and disrupted sleep can affect daily life, relationships and confidence, and should not be dismissed as simply part of getting older.
We know that GLP-1’s like semaglutide or tirzepatide can reduce some feelings of depression or anxiety in adults. Usually, this is linked to a reduction in inflammation. Can it offer the same benefits to women in menopause?
Some early observational evidence from 2026 has an interesting insight. The paper was presented at the European Congress on Obesity in May 2026. The one-year observational study involved more than 34,000 menopausal women and compared those taking:
The conference report noted that semaglutide alone was associated with a 25% lower relative risk of depression compared with HRT on its own. When paired together, HRT and semaglutide were also linked to a lower depression risk but, at the time of writing, we do not have a specific figure for this.
There is definitely more research needed in this area. As always, our team at the Bodyline Clinic cannot say that GFLP-1s treat depression, anxiety or any associated mental health issues. This finding is interesting but, like in many of our GLP-1 Pills, Pens and Progress pieces, it suggests a potential for medications working better together rather than in isolation.
When you come to the Bodyline Clinic for GLP-1s, appetite suppressants like phentermine UK or other weight loss treatments, we do not offer these in isolation.
Our clinical team also offers additional support relating to diet, exercise regimens and stress management. Why? Because we know that having these in place will help to make your weight loss journey with us easier.
With menopause, perimenopause and post menopause, there are some daily routines that can help you to stay on top of your weight. The Menopause Charity also recommends the following to help you minimise menopause symptoms and weight gain.
This is a huge part of wellness, weight management and helping with hormonal side effects. Try to eat adequate levels of protein— 1.2 to 2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight. Also, weave in fibre, plants and fruits to help keep vitamin C and B12 up. Increase your hydration (crucial if you are having night sweats) and eat smaller meals to prevent gastrointestinal problems.
This is a good idea all round for wellbeing and mental stability. It also has some impact on weight management in the menopause.
You should aim to have two or more days a week of resistance training. This helps to protect muscle and bone, both of which can be impacted by hormonal changes and GLP-1s. It is also worth looking into low-intensity cardio, such as walking, swimming and cycling.
Sleeping during menopause can be hard. It may be the case that the increase in activity helps. However, it is advisable to avoid caffeine after 4 pm and to also avoid napping throughout the day. If you have persistent sleep issues, please talk to your GP and your GLP-1 prescriber.
The menopause is hard. It’s even harder if you are trying to lose weight but can’t.
When you come to the Bodyline Clinic, we will run through your previous attempts at weight loss to help assess which approach may be better for you. We will assess any HRT medications you are taking and base the GLP-1 or medication we offer you on your own needs.
This includes considering potential hormone replacement therapy side effects and whether your prescribed HRT could be affected by changes in gastrointestinal function. For example, tirzepatide may affect the absorption of oral hormonal contraceptives, although the implications for different HRT preparations require individual clinical assessment.
Our team makes your overall health our top priority throughout your weight loss journey. We know how to help those who:
We also support you through your weight loss journey and even when you have hit your weight loss goals, to help you keep the weight off and stay healthy.
If you are looking for a team who truly cares during your weight loss journey, then contact our team at the Bodyline Clinic today for a consultation.
Bodyline Works. Bodyline Cares.
The data states that HRT seems to impact weight loss. However, it seems to be related to energy and exercise rather than a direct impact on visceral fat. This is why, for many women, HRT can help to reduce body weight during menopause but may not have an extreme impact.
Wegovy helps to suppress appetite and slow gastric emptying. This can reduce appetite and help silence food noise. However, there is limited data on whether or not Wegovy has a direct impact on the hormones that can cause the weight gain.
There is no data on which GLP-1 works better with HRT. The data point to weight loss being more substantial with both when they are paired with GLP-1s. However, what may work for one person may not work for another. So, individual differences need to be taken into account with any weight loss plan and medication overlap.
Contact us today
Find out more about how we can treat and support you to improve your health and wellbeing.
No-obligation advice from our CQC-regulated team, in clinic or by video.
