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

First, it helps to understand some of the terminology.

• GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1 is released naturally in the gut in response to food, helping the body coordinate appetite, digestion and blood-sugar control. Its production is also influenced by activity within the digestive system, including signals created by the gut microbiome as bacteria break down fibre. That interaction is one reason researchers are increasingly interested in the connection between peptides and gut health.
• GLP-1 is a peptide hormone. Peptides are short chains of amino acids that can perform many different signalling roles within the body. If you’d like a straightforward explanation of the underlying science, this guide explains what peptides are and how they differ from proteins and amino acids.
• GLP-1 receptor agonists are medicines designed to activate the GLP-1 receptor. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, is one example.
• Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, acts on both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors, so it is more accurately described as a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist.
• These medicines are commonly referred to as weight-loss injections when prescribed for weight management.

For simplicity, we’ll use the term weight-loss injections throughout the rest of this article.

These medicines can help people feel fuller for longer, reduce appetite and alter the rate at which food leaves the stomach. They can also improve blood-sugar control.

When used in people who meet the appropriate clinical criteria, medicines such as semaglutide and tirzepatide can produce meaningful weight loss when combined with dietary and lifestyle support. NICE recommends weight-management medicines alongside measures such as a reduced-calorie diet, physical activity and behavioural support rather than as standalone treatments.

What side effects can occur?

Like all medicines, GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 medicines can cause side effects.

Common effects are mainly gastrointestinal and can include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• abdominal discomfort

These symptoms are often most noticeable when treatment begins or following changes in treatment. In some cases, vomiting or diarrhoea can lead to dehydration.

Acute pancreatitis is an uncommon but recognised adverse effect. The MHRA strengthened its warnings in January 2026 following rare reports of severe, including necrotising and fatal, pancreatitis. Persistent severe abdominal pain, particularly if it spreads to the back, requires urgent medical assessment.

Weight-loss medicines should only be obtained from legitimate, regulated healthcare providers and used under appropriate medical supervision.

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.