Effectiveness of Low Doses of Semaglutide on Weight Loss and Body Composition Among Women in Their Menopause

Abstract

Background and Aims: Menopause is a complex period in women's life, when weight gain and predisposition to obesity are frequent. Moreover, even during menopause transition, women begin to lose lean mass up to 0.5% and, therefore, an increase in the percentage of fat mass with central distribution and an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. Despite lifestyle habits remain the cornerstone in this period, their long-term effectiveness is a challenge. In this sense, GLP-1 analogs have shown their efficacy in improving weight loss and other cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: To assess the effectiveness of low doses of semaglutide on body weight and composition for 4 months during menopause compared with premenopausal women. Results: Baseline weight and body mass index were significantly greater among postmenopausal women (95 ± 23.4 vs. 86.4 ± 12.8 kg and 35.9 ± 7.3 vs. 32.9 ± 4.7 kg/m²; P = 0.02 and P = 0.03, respectively). Fat mass was higher among postmenopausal women (45.2 ± 17.1 vs. 38.2 ± 9.8 kg; P = 0.03). The percentage of fat mass and lean mass were comparable between the two groups (43.2 ± 8.1% vs. 40.9 ± 7.1% and 29.6 ± 5.5 vs. 32.4 ± 8.4 kg; P = 0.2 and P = 0.08, respectively). After 4 months of semaglutide 1 mg, either weight loss (5.9 ± 5.2 vs. 4.5 ± 3.5 kg; P = 0.1) or percentage of weight loss (5.8 ± 4.7% vs. 5.1 ± 3.2%; P = 0.4) were comparable. Furthermore, both fat mass loss in kilos (4.1 ± 4.5 vs. 3.1 ± 3.7 kg; P = 0.3) and lean mass loss (-0.4 ± 1.7 vs. -1.1 ± 3.7 kg; P = 0.1) were similar between the two groups. Conclusions: Despite a greater initial weight and fat mass among postmenopausal women, after 4 months of treatment with semaglutide 1 mg, either fat mass loss or weight loss were similar to premenopausal women.

Keywords: BMI; fat mass; lean mass; menopause; semaglutide; weight.