Do Weight-Loss Shots Work as Well After Menopause?Tirzepatide Results by Menopause Stage
Menopause & HormonesArticleMany women worry that menopause will blunt the effect of the new weight-loss injections. In a manufacturer-run analysis of the tirzepatide trials, postmenopausal women lost about 23% of their body weight versus 3% on placebo, close to the results in younger women. Here is what that analysis can and can't tell you.
Midlife and menopause often bring more body fat, especially around the waist.1 If you’re considering a weight-loss injection, you may wonder whether menopause works against it.
What the analysis looked at
Researchers re-examined women in three large tirzepatide trials, sorting them afterward into premenopause, perimenopause and postmenopause.1 Tirzepatide is a weekly injection approved for weight management alongside diet and activity.2
What it found
In the largest trial, average weight loss compared with placebo was:1
| Stage | Tirzepatide | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Premenopause | 26% | 2% |
| Perimenopause | 23% | 3% |
| Postmenopause | 23% | 3% |
- Waist size dropped about 20 cm (roughly 8 inches) in postmenopausal women on tirzepatide vs. 4 cm on placebo.1
- Across all stages, 97% to 98% on tirzepatide lost at least 5% of their weight, vs. 29% to 33% on placebo.1
- Results were similar in two other trials.1
The authors concluded the drug worked regardless of reproductive stage.1
Limits to keep in mind
- It was an after-the-fact analysis, not a trial designed to compare menopause stages.1
- The drug’s maker ran it; several authors are company employees and shareholders.1
Before you start
- Know the label warnings, including thyroid tumors in rats and telling every surgical or endoscopy team you take it.2 Our guide to tirzepatide and birth control pills covers perimenopause.
- Protect muscle and bone with strength training and enough protein. See heavy lifting after menopause and creatine evidence.
- Watch for hair shedding. See hair shedding on GLP-1 drugs.
- Avoid unregulated versions. See compounded GLP-1 red flags.
Our article on whether menopause causes weight gain explains the underlying changes.
Try: “I’m postmenopausal and diet changes haven’t helped. Would tirzepatide be appropriate for me, and how do we protect my muscle and bone while I lose weight?”
My Body Changed. Now What? includes a Visit Brief. Use it to note your weight history, menopause status and current medicines before discussing treatment. See the book.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It isn't a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional who knows your health history. Please don't use compounded, online or shared injections without a prescriber who knows your health history. Severe belly pain, persistent vomiting, signs of dehydration, a lump in the neck or trouble swallowing need prompt medical attention. If you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. This article discusses a prescription medicine's label and published research. Girl Playbook does not endorse any specific product, test, or provider.
Girl Playbook sells this book. It provides education and worksheets, not individualized medical care.
Sources
The research behind this article, in the order it’s cited. How we source our articles.
- Obesity (full text via PubMed Central), 2025Body weight reduction in women treated with tirzepatide by reproductive stage: a post hoc analysis from the SURMOUNT program (opens in a new tab)abcdefghi
- DailyMed, National Library of MedicineTirzepatide injection (weight management and sleep apnea): prescribing information (opens in a new tab)ab
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