Dynamic duo crushes menopausal weight gain

Losing weight during menopause is hard.

I’m talking about peri- and post-menopause, too.

(Thankfully I’ll never know what it’s like. But I’ve treated enough women throughout my career that I’m at least familiar with the struggle.)

Of course, now that we have glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide, you might think we can “fix” this problem.

But, as with most medical things, it’s not so simple. There’s another important piece to this puzzle…

An impressive one-two punch

Research shows nearly 70 percent of all women gain weight in menopause.

But “just living with” those extra pounds can impact your health. It will invite disease in—and put a strain on your heart, metabolism, joints, mood, and more.

That’s why taking back control is critical. Especially as we age.

Sure, the new GLP-1 drugs are a godsend to plenty of patients. But for the postmenopausal group, it’s not until the drug is paired with hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) that the results really start to shine.

See, according to a recent study, postmenopausal women who are on hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) and a GLP-1 drug experienced improved weight loss compared to women who aren’t on HRT.

In fact, those on HRT experienced nearly 30 percent greater weight loss—including a significantly greater total body weight loss—over one year.

Plus, researchers noted additional cardiometabolic health benefits…

Women on both HRT and the GLP-1 semaglutide experienced significant improvements in triglycerides and total cholesterol, to boot.

Words of wisdom

I’ve written about how cardiometabolic risk factors go hand-in-hand with weight. And it’s been very satisfying to watch my patients overcome certain cardiometabolic diseases (like Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure) through weight management interventions.

These new GLP-1 drugs are just another tool in the arsenal that can make weight loss goals more attainable.

So, women, if you’re menopausal and struggling with your weight… consider speaking with your doctor about HRT and weight-loss interventions, like semaglutide.

Now, when it comes to HRT… you know I’ve always been a fan. (This study further solidifies my stance.)

But let me be clear—never accept hormone therapy unless its under the supervision of a knowledgeable, holistic practitioner.

(If you don’t already work with a medical practitioner with extensive experience in HRT, you can find one in your area through the American College for Advancement in Medicine [ACAM]. Visit their website: www.acam.org.)

See, some docs prescribe conventional, synthetic HRT—which is typically where concerns over efficacy and safety arise. (That probably helps explain why the number of women who receive HRT in the U.S. remains low.)

But the only kind of HRT that I will ever recommend is natural, bio-identical hormone replacement.

To learn more about my insights behind HRT—and why your doc should always treat you as an individual, and not “a number”—refer to the October 2017 issue of my monthly newsletter, Logical Health Alternatives by clicking here.

Source:

“More Weight Loss With Anti-Obesity Meds and Hormone Therapy?” Medscape, 05/23/24. (medscape.com/viewarticle/more-weight-loss-anti-obesity-meds-and-hormone-therapy-2024a10009s1)