Postmenopausal women using hormone therapy may lose significantly more weight when treated with tirzepatide, according to new research that points to a possible interaction between hormonal changes and obesity treatment.
The study found that women receiving both treatments lost around 35 per cent more weight on average than those taking tirzepatide alone, highlighting a difference that researchers say warrants closer investigation.
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Menopause is often associated with weight gain and a higher risk of cardiometabolic conditions, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Falling oestrogen levels can alter how the body stores fat and regulates appetite, contributing to these changes.
Researchers analysed data from 120 adults with overweight or obesity who had been treated with tirzepatide for at least 12 months. Outcomes were compared between women who were also using hormone therapy and those who were not, with both groups broadly matched at baseline.
The findings, first published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women’s Health, suggest hormone therapy may influence how the body responds to GLP-1-based medications such as tirzepatide.
One possible explanation is that oestrogen enhances appetite regulation, strengthening the drug’s effect. Improvements in sleep and quality of life linked to symptom relief may also play a role.
The study was observational, meaning it cannot confirm that hormone therapy directly caused the additional weight loss. Researchers note that behavioural differences between groups could have contributed to the outcome.
Even so, the scale of the difference has drawn attention, particularly as demand for newer weight-loss medications continues to grow. Further research is now expected to test whether the combination offers broader benefits, including improvements in cardiometabolic health.
The findings point towards a more tailored approach to treating obesity after menopause, where hormonal factors may influence both risk and response to treatment.
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