Weight-Loss Injections and Menopause: The Importance of Nutrition and Lifestyle For Sustainable Results

What Are GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, Their Benefits and Side-Effects?

Let’s start by looking at some of the terminology involved:

• Incretin-based therapies include GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) as a major class of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity.
• GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a natural hormone that helps regulate blood sugar, appetite, and digestion.
• These are known more commonly as weight loss injections.

To keep things simple, we’ll refer to these as ‘weight loss injections’ for the rest of this blog!

Weight loss injections mimic the GLP-1 hormone, leading to:

• Reduced hunger and food cravings
• Slower digestion and improved satiety
• Better blood-sugar control and insulin sensitivity

In clinical studies, GLP-1 medications have led to meaningful improvements in weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.

However, these benefits can come with side effects such as nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, and fatigue. Less common but more serious concerns include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and potential thyroid issues.

Access via the NHS is limited, meaning many people buy them privately. In the UK, at the time of writing, typical costs can run to £200+ monthly, depending on dosage and brand.

It is important that, if you decide to use weight loss injections, you are prescribed them from reputable, regulated providers and take them under medical supervision.

Why GLP-1s Appeal During Perimenopause and Menopause

Many women find that despite their best efforts, weight becomes harder to manage during perimenopause and menopause. Hormonal changes, slower metabolism, reduction in muscle mass and shifting fat distribution can all play a role.

Weight loss injections can make this transition easier by reducing appetite and improving satiety — which may help counter midlife weight gain that resists diet and exercise alone. For some, these medications can be life-changing.

But they’re most effective — and safest — when part of a broader health plan that supports nutrition, muscle strength, and emotional wellbeing.

The Role of Nutritional Therapy

Weight loss can sometimes lead to nutrient and muscle loss if not supported properly. That’s because appetite suppression often means people eat less overall — and without guidance, important nutrients can be missed.

Key Nutritional Considerations

• Protein intake — essential for preserving lean muscle and supporting bone health
• Micronutrients — particularly vitamin B12, iron, vitamin D, and calcium
• Gut health — maintaining fibre and food diversity to support the gut microbiome
• Bone strength — ensuring adequate nutrients and weight-bearing exercise to help prevent bone loss during rapid weight reduction

A nutritional therapist can help create a tailored eating plan that complements these weight loss injections, ensuring your body stays nourished while supporting steady, healthy weight change.

Building Healthy Lifestyle Habits  

It’s important to remember that weight loss injections aren’t a permanent fix. When medication stops, appetite often returns — and without lifestyle change, so can the weight.

Building healthy habits during treatment is key. Combining medication with:

• Regular strength training and daily movement
• A balanced diet
• Stress management and quality sleep
• Mindful eating practices

…helps ensure your results last and your health thrives long after the injections end.

A Holistic Approach

When used responsibly and under medical supervision, weight loss injections can be a valuable part of a holistic health plan. The most successful clients are those who see this as a chance to reset their relationship with food, build resilience, and nourish themselves fully — body and mind.

If you’d like support using these medications safely and effectively, as a nutritional therapist I can help you create a plan that works for your body, your hormones, and your long-term wellbeing.

To get in touch with me, just head here.

Similar to My Menopause Centre, I know every woman’s journey is unique. My approach is free of judgement — whether you’re using weight loss injections, considering it, or exploring other ways to manage weight.