Menopause & Weight Gain: Estrogen’s Connection to GLP-1 Agonists
Menopause is a natural phase of life that often brings significant hormonal shifts. One of the most common challenges faced by women during this time is weight gain, which affects approximately 70% of menopausal women. Beyond aesthetics, this weight gain often correlates with changes in body composition, such as increased abdominal fat and reduced muscle mass, which carry broader health implications.
GLP-1 Drugs: Entering a New Era in the World of Weight Loss
The drug semaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as Glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1 receptor agonists. It mimics the GLP-1 hormone, released in the gut in response to eating. Semaglutide was designed for type 2 diabetes and has shown great potential in helping patients with diabetes. These GLP-1 analogues revealed several effects, including slowing stomach emptying, acting on the brain to reduce appetite, and boosting insulin release, which helps regulate blood sugar levels. It may also result in reduced risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease in people who are obese or overweight.