Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro – they’re everywhere – Have you or someone you know been thinking about using medications like these if struggling with weight? As a health and wellness coach, I’m asked about them almost weekly. And I’ve worked with clients who are taking them and others who wanted to.
If you’re a woman over 45, I want you to know you’re not alone. So today I want to dig in a bit deeper. But I had some questions so thought I’d do a deeper dive to give you the real truth about GLP-1 medications — the pros, the cons, and what I recommend if you’re looking for sustainable, whole-body health.
What Really are GLP-1s?
GLP-1 agonists or medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro were originally developed and approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) in 2005 to treat Type 2 diabetes. There are a variety of these mediations. Some can help treat obesity. Most are injectable. Some are injected once a week. Some once or twice a day. It just depends on which one you’re using. There are also tablets taken daily.
How do the GLP-1 medications work?
GLP-1 is actually a hormone your small intestine makes which helps trigger insulin being released from your pancreas. This allows your body to use food you eat for energy. It lowers the amount of glucose or sugar in your blood. If you don’t have enough insulin, blood sugar increases which can lead to diabetes.
GLP-1 meds prevent more glucose from going into your bloodstream. They also cause a slower digestion so your body releases less glucose from the food you eat into your bloodstream which also keeps you fuller longer so you don’t feel hungry as often.
Now these medications alone cannot fully treat type 2 diabetes or obesity.
Remember, obesity is classified as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9. And to refresh your memory about diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are both caused by insulin issues. But they’re different in that Type 1 is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin producing cells in the pancreas. So people with Type 1 diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy.
Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is caused by insulin resistance where the body’s cells don’t respond properly to insulin. And the pancreas might not produce enough insulin to compensate. Treatment may include insulin, but many times lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, weight management, and stress reduction can often improve symptoms. About 50% of those having Type 2 diabetes are able to achieve remission or near-normal blood sugar levels by making lifestyle and dietary changes. And many are able to decrease or even get off medications.
So if you are considering using a GLP-1 med, you need to also focus on lifestyle changes and a healthy diet whether you have diabetes, obesity, want to lose some weight, or get healthier.
Back to the GLP-1 meds: What do they do overall?
They mimic a natural hormone in your body — GLP-1 — which helps to:
✔️ slow down digestion
✔️ reduce appetite
✔️ regulate blood sugar
And yes, they can help people lose weight — but that’s just part of the picture.
What are the Pros of GLP-1s?
So let’s talk benefits, because I believe in giving you the full truth.
Some of the pros of GLP-1s include:
- Significant weight loss for many users
- Lower appetite and fewer cravings
- Help managing blood sugar, especially if you have insulin resistance or pre-diabetes
- Potential reduction in blood pressure and heart disease risk
Some research has also reported improvement of depression, and they’re being studied for potential neurological benefits. GLP-1s may delay progression of diabetes–related nephropathy (kidney disease). And they’re being considered to help with substance abuse.
These are some of the reasons why doctors are prescribing them more often — and why they’re getting a lot of attention right now.
What are the Cons of GLP-1s?
But now let’s talk about the downsides — especially for women in perimenopause and menopause. Here’s what you might not hear in the ads:
- Gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, constipation, upset stomach, and heartburn
- Loss of appetite to the point you lose too much weight and have trouble gaining
- Dizziness and headaches
- Increased heart rate – mild
- Temporary itchiness and redness from the site of the injections
- Can lead to muscle loss, nutrient deficiencies, and more fatigue
- “Ozempic face” – changes in facial appearance such as a hollowed out, gaunt look due to rapid weight loss
- Many people gain the weight back after stopping the GLP-1s
- They are expensive and insurance may not cover them long-term
- There have been supply shortages
- Rare but severe – pancreatitis and association between thyroid cancer and GLP-1s if you have a family history of thyroid cancer
The GLP-1s do not fix the root cause of weight gain including hormonal imbalances, inflammation, or poor digestion so you still need to work on all these. I’ve had women come to me after stopping these medications, and they were feeling worse than before using them due to bloating, extreme fatigue, and hormonal crashes.
So What are My Thoughts?
Now again, this is not medical advice. Talk to your own health practitioner. Do your own research, too. These medications are simply a tool in your toolbox to help if you have had trouble losing weight for a while and/or have diabetes, obesity, or are pre-diabetic. If you’re over 45, your body is already going through changes, and weight gain is rarely just about calories or willpower.
You need to address several things:
🌿 Hormone balance and hormone-friendly nutrition
🌿 Gut healing protocols and anti-inflammatory lifestyle shifts
🌿 Blood sugar regulation
🌿 Sustainable movement
🌿 Mindset and stress
🌿Accountability and support – often from an objective person.
This is some of what I help my clients do every day — and they get results that actually last.
So if you’re curious about a natural, root-cause approach that supports your whole body and physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, I’d love to help you. You can book a free 20-minute clarity call with me by clicking here.
Remember what your mother or grandmother probably told you. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A quick fix may be helpful at the beginning to encourage you to continue making progress and boost your confidence, but you also want to build real health – one step at a time – that will last your whole life, right? And that’s what I want for you!
Leah Cheshire, NBC-HWC, is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. She helps women over 45 who are struggling with stubborn weight gain, hormonal imbalances, bloating and gut issues, fatigue and joint pain. She uses a holistic, personalized wellness coaching strategy rooted in science and faith.
