Tirzepatide, Hormone Therapy Combination Increases Weight Loss in Postmenopausal Women

Postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity who were treated simultaneously with tirzepatide and menopause hormone therapy experienced increased weight loss compared with women treated with tirzepatide alone, according to data presented at ENDO 2025, held July 12 to 15 in San Francisco, California.¹ Authors of the study said the findings highlight the urgent need to make these therapies more accessible.

Tirzepatide, Hormone Therapy Combination Increases Weight Loss Among Postmenopausal Women / Matt Fowler KC - stock.adobe.com

Obesity is a widespread disease affecting millions of Americans, with postmenopausal women experiencing disproportionately high rates. In this population, obesity is closely tied to increased morbidity, mortality, and a range of other conditions. Effectively addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that acknowledges the multiple factors contributing to weight gain and applies a full range of treatment strategies to improve outcomes for women in midlife.²

“These data are the first to show the combined use of tirzepatide and menopause hormone therapy significantly increases treatment effectiveness in postmenopausal women,” Regina Castaneda, MD, research fellow for the Division of Endocrinology at Mayo Clinic, said in a news release.¹ “Previous studies of the medication semaglutide found similar results. Achieving these outcomes with a second obesity medication may indicate a broader efficacy trend for pairing these 2 classes of medications.”

A team of investigators from the Division of Endocrinology at Mayo Clinic conducted a real-world study to determine if concurrent menopause hormone therapy enhances the effectiveness of tirzepatide for weight loss in postmenopausal women. Data for the study were gathered from electronic medical records. The study cohort included 120 patients. Of those, 40 received both tirzepatide and menopause hormone therapy, and 80 received only tirzepatide.

The study data showed that women who were treated with tirzepatide and menopause hormone therapy lost 17% of their total body weight, compared with 15% in women treated with tirzepatide alone. The findings also showed that 45% of women treated with both therapies achieved at least 20% total body weight loss, compared with just 18% of women who only received tirzepatide.

“The information garnered through this new study provides important insights to develop more effective and personalized weight management interventions to reduce a postmenopausal woman’s risk of overweight and obesity-related health complications,” Maria Daniela Hurtado Andrade, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine and consultant for the Division of Endocrinology at Mayo Clinic, said in the release.¹ “This study underscores the urgent need for further research to better understand how obesity medications and menopause hormone therapy work together. Gaining this knowledge could greatly improve the health and well-being of millions of postmenopausal women.”

READ MORE: Women’s Health Resource Center

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References

1. Combination of obesity medication tirzepatide and menopause hormone therapy fuels weight loss. News release. The Endocrine Society. July 12, 2025. Accessed July 15, 2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1090259

2. Knight MG, Anekwe C, Washington K, Akam EY, Wang E, Stanford FC. Weight regulation in menopause. Menopause. 2021;28(8):960-965. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001792