How do weight loss drugs impact your longterm health and weight?

In the rush to lose weight, many women in perimenopause are turning to drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Marketed as quick fixes for stubborn weight, these medications, originally developed to manage type 2 diabetes, work by mimicking a gut hormone (GLP-1) that regulates blood sugar and appetite. While the initial results may seem promising, especially for women struggling with perimenopausal weight gain, there are significant concerns that are often overlooked, particularly around long-term health and hormonal balance.

Perimenopause is a time of complex hormonal fluctuations. Oestrogen, progesterone, and even cortisol levels begin to shift, often resulting in weight gain, mood swings, fatigue, and disrupted sleep. When we use appetite-suppressing drugs to override our body’s natural signals, we risk creating deeper imbalances. For example, rapid weight loss, especially without adequate nutritional support, can lead to the loss of lean muscle mass, a crucial factor in maintaining insulin sensitivity and metabolic stability during this life stage.

Additionally, many women on GLP-1 agonists report significant digestive side effects: nausea, constipation, and slowed gastric motility. These aren’t just inconvenient, they interfere with nutrient absorption and gut health, both of which are critical for hormonal regulation. Remember: your gut is where many hormones are metabolized and detoxified. A sluggish digestive system can further impair hormonal balance and even worsen symptoms like oestrogen dominance.

Another concern is the psychological disconnect these drugs can create. Hunger is not the enemy, it’s a message from your body. Learning to eat in tune with your needs, especially during perimenopause, is a more sustainable and empowering path. These medications suppress appetite to the point where women may stop nourishing themselves adequately, leading to nutritional deficiencies that can exacerbate fatigue, mood disorders, and bone loss.

Weight gain in perimenopause is often a symptom, not the root problem. Instead of silencing your body’s cues with a drug, we should be asking: Why is your body holding onto weight? Stress, poor sleep, blood sugar imbalances, and inflammation are all key contributors, and they can be addressed naturally.

While weight loss drugs may have a place in certain medical contexts, they are not a long-term solution for hormonal weight challenges. As a nutritional therapist, I advocate for a root-cause approach that supports the whole woman, not just the number on the scale.

If you want to find and target your root cause that may be causing stubborn weight gain book your free consultation today.