An analysis of data from 2,400 women over 45 found that combining menopausal hormone therapy with semaglutide-based drugs produces greater and more sustained weight loss, infohub.kz reports.
The study was conducted by specialists in the Division of General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Florida under the leadership of Dr. Regina Castaneda. They examined the results of using semaglutide-based drugs — the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy — and tirzepatide — the active ingredient in Zepbound and Mounjaro — in combination with menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). Medical News Today reported the findings.
The work was presented at the 2026 annual conference of the Menopause Society. The combination of hormone therapy with semaglutide was found to deliver greater and more sustained weight loss. The scientists attribute the effect to estrogen enhancing the appetite-suppressing action of the drug through its effect on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors.
With tirzepatide, adding hormones produced no statistically significant gain in effectiveness. Dr. Castaneda notes that this medication acts on two types of receptors at once and delivers a powerful result on its own.
The authors stress that hormones must not be prescribed solely for weight loss. MHT is prescribed to ease menopause symptoms, which indirectly helps patients stay physically active and stick to a diet.
Independent experts — obstetrician-gynecologists Cheryl Ross and Prudence Hall of Santa Monica — added that normalizing hormone levels reduces chronic inflammation and stabilizes cortisol levels, restoring the body's ability to burn fat more effectively.
Important information: this material is for informational purposes only and is not a guide to action. Drugs based on semaglutide and other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are serious prescription medications with a wide range of contraindications and side effects. Using such medications without a specialist's prescription can cause serious harm to health. Always consult a qualified physician before starting any treatment or taking any medication.