Weight-loss injections such as Mounjaro and Wegovy can help with menopause-related weight gain in the UK if you meet the eligibility criteria, because they act on the same appetite-regulating gut hormones regardless of why weight has crept up. They are prescription-only and available only after a clinical consultation with a GPhC-registered prescriber who confirms the treatment is clinically appropriate for you.
Why weight changes around the menopause
During perimenopause and menopause, falling oestrogen levels shift how and where the body stores fat, often towards the abdomen. At the same time, muscle mass tends to fall with age, which lowers your resting metabolic rate.
Sleep disruption, mood changes and fatigue can also make it harder to stay active and easier to reach for higher-energy foods. The result is that the same habits that kept your weight steady in your thirties may no longer do so in your fifties.
This is a biological change, not a failure of willpower. Understanding why it happens is the first step to tackling it sensibly.
How GLP-1 weight-loss injections work
GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic a natural gut hormone that controls appetite. You feel fuller sooner and for longer, and the stomach empties more slowly, which tends to reduce how much you eat without constant conscious effort.
These medicines do not target menopause specifically and they are not a hormone treatment. They work on appetite and food intake, which is relevant whatever the underlying reason your weight has increased.
They are designed to be used alongside changes to diet, activity and other lifestyle support — not instead of them. Combining the medicine with strength training and adequate protein can help protect muscle, which matters particularly around the menopause.
The main options in the UK
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide) — a weekly self-injection that activates two gut-hormone receptors, GLP-1 and GIP, at the same time.
- Wegovy injection (semaglutide) — a once-weekly GLP-1 injection, the first MHRA-licensed GLP-1 specifically for weight management.
- Wegovy Tablet (oral semaglutide) — the same active medicine taken as a once-daily tablet on an empty stomach, if you would rather not inject.
- Foundayo (orforglipron) — a small-molecule GLP-1 taken as an ordinary once-daily tablet, at any time of day, with or without food or water.
You can compare these on our treatments overview and weight-loss injections pages.
What the trial evidence shows
These trials were in adults with overweight or obesity generally; they were not menopause-specific studies, so the figures below are a guide to what the medicines can achieve rather than a menopause-specific result.
- Mounjaro: In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, participants on the 15mg dose lost on average 22.5% of body weight over 72 weeks, alongside lifestyle support. Individual results vary; not everyone reaches this. (Jastreboff AM, et al. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(3):205–216.)
- Wegovy injection: In the STEP UP clinical trial, adults on the 7.2mg dose lost on average 20.7% of their body weight over 72 weeks, alongside lifestyle support. Individual results vary; not everyone reaches this. (STEP UP. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2025;13(11).)
- Wegovy Tablet: In the OASIS 4 trial, adults on oral semaglutide 25mg lost on average 16.6% of their body weight over 64 weeks, alongside lifestyle support. Individual results vary; not everyone reaches this. (OASIS 4. N Engl J Med. 2025. Cross-trial figure — not a head-to-head comparison.)
- Foundayo: In the Phase 3 ATTAIN-1 trial, participants on the 36mg dose lost on average 12.4% of their body weight over 72 weeks, alongside lifestyle counselling. Individual results vary; not everyone reaches this. This trial capsule dose is above the maximum 17.2mg tablet strength we supply. (Eli Lilly Phase 3 ATTAIN-1, 2026, NEJM.)
Who is eligible
Eligibility is the same for all of these treatments and is based on your BMI and health, not your menopause status. You may be suitable if you are:
- Aged 18 or over; and
- Have a BMI of 30 or above (obesity); or
- Have a BMI of 27–30 with a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea.
A treatment is prescribed only if it is clinically appropriate after a free online consultation. A prescription is never guaranteed.
When these medicines are not suitable
GLP-1 treatments are not suitable if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if you have type 1 diabetes, a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2, a history of pancreatitis, severe gastrointestinal disease, an active eating disorder, severe liver or kidney impairment, or a known allergy to the active ingredient.
If you are considering or using HRT, tell your prescriber — it does not automatically rule out treatment, but it is important information for a safe assessment.
Side effects to know about
The most common side effects (affecting more than 1 in 10 people) are nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, decreased appetite and fatigue. These are usually most noticeable when starting or increasing the dose, which is why every treatment is introduced at a low starter dose and titrated gradually.
Serious but rare risks include severe allergic reaction, acute pancreatitis, severe hypoglycaemia (particularly with other diabetes medicines), severe gastrointestinal disease and worsening diabetic retinopathy.
You can report any suspected side effect to the MHRA via the Yellow Card scheme at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/.
Monthly costs
The online consultation is free; you only pay if a treatment is prescribed and you choose to proceed. Prices depend on the medicine and dose, and all four options start from £115 per month.
| Treatment | Cheapest / month | Maximum licensed dose |
|---|---|---|
| Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | £160 (2.5mg) | £295 (15mg) |
| Wegovy injection (semaglutide) | £115 (0.25mg) | £245 (7.2mg) |
| Wegovy Tablet (oral semaglutide) | £115 (1.5mg) | £190 (25mg) |
| Foundayo (orforglipron) | £115 (0.8mg) | £160 (17.2mg) |
How to check your eligibility
The simplest way to find out whether a weight-loss injection or tablet is appropriate for menopause-related weight gain is to complete our free online consultation. A GPhC-registered independent prescriber reviews your answers, and where clinically needed a short video consultation is arranged, before any medicine is dispensed by our own UK pharmacy and sent by tracked delivery.
You can read more about The Weight Clinic or start with a no-obligation eligibility check. If you have questions first, you are welcome to contact us or browse the blog.
This article is for information only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Weight-loss medicines are prescription-only, are not suitable for everyone, and are prescribed only after a clinical consultation with a GPhC-registered prescriber. Individual results vary. Always speak to a UK-registered pharmacist or doctor before starting or changing any prescription medication.
