Combining hormone therapy with the obesity drug tirzepatide may enhance weight loss in postmenopausal women, according to a new study from the Mayo Clinic.
A recent study conducted by the Mayo Clinic indicates that postmenopausal women may experience a significant increase in weight loss when combining hormone therapy with tirzepatide, a popular obesity medication. The research suggests that this combination could lead to a 35% greater weight loss compared to using tirzepatide alone.
The findings, published in February in *The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health*, offer a potential new approach for addressing weight gain that often occurs after menopause. Hormonal changes during this stage can elevate the risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes.
“This study provides important insights for developing more effective and personalized strategies for managing cardiometabolic risk in postmenopausal women,” stated Dr. Regina Castaneda, the study’s lead author.
The research involved 120 postmenopausal women who were either overweight or obese and had been taking tirzepatide for at least 12 months. Among these participants, 40 women also received hormone therapy, while 80 did not. Hormone therapy is typically prescribed to alleviate menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, while tirzepatide is known for its ability to regulate appetite and blood sugar levels.
Results showed that women in the hormone therapy group lost an average of 19.2% of their body weight, compared to a 14.0% loss in the non-hormone group. This translates to a relative weight loss increase of approximately 35%, with more women in the hormone therapy group achieving significant weight-loss milestones.
Despite these promising results, researchers cautioned that the study’s observational nature limits the ability to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. “Because this was not a randomized trial, we cannot say hormone therapy caused additional weight loss,” remarked Dr. Maria Daniela Hurtado Andrade, an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic and senior author of the study.
External experts echoed the need for caution in interpreting the findings. Dr. Gillian Goddard, a board-certified endocrinologist and adjunct assistant professor of medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, emphasized that while the study shows a correlation, it does not definitively prove that hormone therapy directly contributes to increased weight loss.
“There may be important differences between the two groups,” Dr. Goddard noted. “For instance, the group taking estrogen may have overall better health than those who did not. Healthier individuals are generally more likely to maintain a healthy diet and exercise, which could contribute to greater weight loss.” Additionally, symptom relief from hormone therapy may enhance sleep quality and overall well-being, further supporting adherence to diet and exercise routines, according to Dr. Hurtado Andrade.
The researchers also proposed a biological mechanism that may explain the observed effects. Preclinical data suggest that estrogen could amplify the appetite-suppressing effects of GLP-1-based medications like tirzepatide.
While this theory is plausible, Dr. Goddard cautioned that it remains unproven. “The other possibility is that estrogen interacts with tirzepatide in a way that enhances its effectiveness,” she said. “We will need randomized studies to better understand this interaction.”
Regarding safety, experts generally agree that the combination of hormone therapy and tirzepatide appears safe for most women. However, hormone therapy is not suitable for everyone, particularly those with a history of certain cancers, blood clots, or other significant health risks, as noted by the Mayo Clinic.
Looking ahead, researchers plan to conduct future randomized trials to validate these findings and investigate whether the combination of hormone therapy and tirzepatide can also improve broader cardiometabolic health outcomes. “If confirmed, this work could accelerate the development and adoption of new, evidence-based strategies to mitigate health risks for millions of postmenopausal women navigating this life stage,” Dr. Hurtado Andrade concluded.
For more information, Fox News Digital has reached out to the study authors for additional comments.
According to Fox News, the implications of this study could be significant for postmenopausal women seeking effective weight management solutions.