The Journal of The Menopause Society
In April 2024, a study was released showing a higher weight loss percentage in post-menopausal women take semaglutide when combining it with HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) compared to women not on HRT. See article here.
Is Semaglutide the same as Ozempic?
In June 2021 the FDA approved semaglutide for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition (such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol). Then in November 2023 the FDA also approved tirzepatide to help people who are considered obese or overweigh with or without diabetes.
Both semaglutide and tripeptide are considered peptides and are a form of hormone. Semaglutide, which you may know as the brand Wegovy, is proven to decrease blood sugar levels by increasing insulin which lowers the amount of glucagon released and that helps you to reduce the amount of food that you want to eat. Tirzepatide, which you may recognize by brand name Mounjaro, works by decreasing appetite and slowing the movement of food from the stomach into the small intestine, which may make you feel full more quickly and for a longer period of time.
In their brand names, if approved; meds could be covered by your insurance. That is, if you can find it! In January of 2024, semaglutide and tirzepatide were both on FDA's list of drugs in shortage, which meant compounding pharmacies are now able to step in and provide compounded versions of GLP-1 meds.
FDA's List of Drugs in Shortage
When a drug is in shortage, compounders may be able to prepare a compounded version of that drug if they meet certain requirements in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act. As of May 2023, Ozempic and Wegovy are both listed on FDA’s Drug Shortages list.
503B outsourcing facilities, or compounding pharmacies registered with FDA, can step in during shortages to manufacture medications that are in short supply. Moreover, these facilities can collaborate with hospitals and other pharmacies to identify shortages and prioritize manufacturing efforts accordingly.
There is help for menopause weight loss
Are you having trouble losing weight during menopause? Joi Women's Wellness wants to help. Lose up to 15% of your body weight and keep it off. We pair clinically proven GLP-1 medications with 1:1 lifestyle coaching to help make your weight loss goals a reality. Major health insurance plans are accepted for qualified candidates to help provide a lower medication cost.
Joi offers a full therapy of weight loss support as well both semaglutide and tirzepatide injections. It's simple. You complete a health history and consent form. You meet with your doctor or licensed coach one on one. You discuss your medical history and current symptoms and if appropriate, they'll prescribe the medication and have it shipped directly to your home.
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide
I started taking semaglutide in mid-March 2024. I had met with my Joi Physican Assistant Dr. Brook about switching my Hormone Replacement Therapy to Joi's program and when I mentioned that I would like to lose 10-15 pounds, she was more than happy to walk me through the options and how they might aid in my weight loss efforts.
I was all in and purchased the four month-supply for $262/month. It was shipped directly to my home and arrived exactly one week after my initial appointment. It came with syringes, alcohol preps and the semaglutide injection bottle. I used my HSA card to pay for the medication.
The first injection was a little bit intimidating, but now that I've done it for three weeks in a row, it's no big deal. I choose to give the injection into my belly. I pinch a few rolls of skin together and slide the needle then push the plunger. Easy, peasy.
Semaglutide and Insurance Coverage
In order for your peptides to be covered by insurance, you have to be prescribed the brand name versions. And in order to get a doctor to prescribe the brand name, they have to know that you'll qualify based on the requirements of your current weight and other medical factors. If you are outside the requirements, then like me you may want to opt for the compounded versions.
I've been taking compounded Hormone Replacement Therapy since 2019 with no issues. I had no reservations around the compounded versions of these GLP-1 medications. The FDA entitled compounding pharmacies to make the drugs in January 2024.
Add Semaglutide to your HRT
Joi provides female wellness therapies, including Hormone Replacement Therapy and Semaglutide or Tirzepatide for weight loss. I first found Joi Women's Wellness when exploring online, telehealth providers for Hormone Replacement Therapy.
When I discovered that I could marry by Bioidentical HRT and a GLP-1, I was ecstatic. I truly believe the two therapies combined will be the exact right answer to my question of how to lose the weight I've picked up while going through perimenopause and finally graduating into full menopause.
I started semaglutide on late March 2024. I have lost 4-5 pounds in the three weeks I've been on it. I plan to do a full Joi Women's Wellness review on both products in a few weeks when more time has passed, and I can provide in-depth details of my experience on both HRT + Semaglutide together.
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