GLP-1s & Hormones: What Women Should Know Before Saying Yes

A client of mine came to me while taking a GLP-1 medication (think Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro). She wanted support for hormone balance and weight loss over 40.

At first, the appetite suppression seemed like a win. Fewer cravings. Smaller portions. Easy calorie control.

But the deeper we got into her hormone work, the more frustrated she felt. The nutrition strategies she needed to stabilize blood sugar and regulate hormones were harder to follow on GLP-1s. She wasn’t seeing progress in either direction—weight loss or hormone balance.

Eventually, she decided to pause the medication and focus on the foundations first. And it’s not surprising that this is how she felt—because of how these drugs actually work in the body.

What are GLP-1s, Actually?

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1. It’s a hormone your body naturally produces in the gut after eating.

Its job?

• Signal fullness and slow stomach emptying

• Regulate blood sugar by stimulating insulin

• Reduce appetite so you don’t overeat

GLP-1 medications mimic this hormone in a stronger, longer-lasting way. That’s why people feel fuller faster, have fewer cravings, and often lose weight quickly.

When used short-term or in very specific cases, GLP-1s can:

• Decrease inflammation

• Improve insulin sensitivity

• Reduce cravings for ultra-processed foods

• Help regulate blood sugar through appetite control

But as with any prescription drug, none of these benefits come without tradeoffs.

Because these drugs artificially suppress appetite, it’s easy to under-eat. And under-eating long-term = hormone chaos.

Why?

• Fewer nutrients → vitamins and minerals your hormones depend on start running low.

• Less protein → muscle loss (something we already fight harder against after 35).

• Less energy → your body downshifts, cortisol climbs, and reproductive hormones like progesterone take a back seat.

That’s why studies are showing muscle loss in long-term GLP-1 use. And why real-life symptoms often show up as:

• Worsened PMS

• Fatigue that doesn’t go away

• Hair loss

• Mood swings

• Irregular or absent cycles

Your hormones don’t care if you fit in your jeans. They care if you’re fed.

Some Good News

Here’s the empowering part: you already make GLP-1 naturally. And there are ways to support its production without a prescription:

1. Eat protein with every meal → protein stimulates GLP-1 release.

2. Prioritize fiber (veggies, legumes, chia, flax) → helps slow digestion, stabilize blood sugar.

3. Get daily movement → exercise naturally increases GLP-1.

4. Support gut health → a thriving microbiome promotes balanced GLP-1 signaling.

These strategies boost satiety and support hormones—without putting you at risk for nutrient depletion.

The Bottom Line

GLP-1 medications can have their place. For some, they’re a bridge. For others, they’re a tool to break cycles of inflammation or metabolic dysfunction.

But they’re not a free pass—and long-term use without careful, individualized guidance can create more problems than it solves.

If you’re considering a GLP-1 or are already on one, make sure you’re protecting your hormones, muscle, and nutrient status. And if you want to focus on the foundations first—blood sugar balance, protein intake, stress, sleep, gut health—before adding a prescription, that’s where I can help.

Explore my Integrative Hormone Packages to get support in balancing hormones naturally and working with your body, not against it. Hop on our calendar for a free first call!