Weight Loss Injections
A guide for women considering using Weight Loss Medication
If you have ever struggled with your weight, you can’t help but have heard about Weight Loss injections – most commonly Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide). These have been the subject of polarised debate, particularly in social media. And a huge number of online providers have sprung up over the last couple of years, offering access to this medication via virtual clinics.
At Clinic51 we believe in helping women to make informed, evidence-based decisions – so this article aims to explain how these medications work, what the evidence shows, what treatment involves, information on possible side effects and some comprehensive questions to ask your doctor or treatment provider. And finally some particular considerations that women should be aware of, before starting treatment.
We’ve referenced UK guidance, and clinical studies, should you want to investigate even further.
Let’s dive in….
What are Weight Loss Injections, and how do they work?
Weight Loss injections are also known by the name GLP-1, which stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a naturally occurring hormone released from the gut after eating. These medications mimic or enhance its actions. Key mechanisms include:
Slowing gastric emptying (so food remains longer in the stomach), helping you feel fuller sooner and for longer.
Acting on brain centres of appetite, satiety and food reward (so you may eat less and feel less driven by cravings). They reduce or suppress appetite.
These medications were originally developed for use in diabetes, helping insulin & glucose control – this also influences metabolism.
In the case of tirzepatide (Mounjaro) specifically, the dual action on GLP-1 and GIP receptors may give even greater efficacy.
In short: these medicines help reduce hunger, increase fullness and support metabolic changes that make weight loss easier, and have opened up significant new possibilities for weight loss management (within very carefully defined eligibility & monitoring criteria).
But they’re not magic - they work best in the context of lifestyle support (diet, activity, behavioural change – and the potential benefit depends on dose, duration, lifestyle support and individual factors. They are not stand-alone, or a quick fix.
To find out more, head to NICE (the National Institute for Health & Care Excellence), where you can find evidence and public guidance. There is further guidance for patients on gov.uk. Diabetes.org.uk also has some useful information.
What is the treatment process?
Weight loss medication is available on the NHS, although availability of the medication and specialist support may be constrained by funding. It is widely available privately.
· Typically, you will start with an initial assessment, in which your doctor will review your weight history, health status (especially cardiovascular risk, bone health, liver/kidney function, any medications), suitability (for example no contraindications). With some providers this may be via an online questionnaire.
· In a face to face consultation (such as the ones at Clinic51), you’ll talk through expectations (realistic weight-loss goals), duration of treatment, side-effects, lifestyle support required and cost.
· Treatment will usually start at the lowest dose to minimise side-effects (especially gastrointestinal side effects).
· You should expect regular check-ins for weight, side-effects, any medication interactions, and to discuss any side effects. If it is necessary because your weight loss has plateaued, your medical professional will discuss increasing your dose.
How long your treatment should last is an on-going discussion.NICE (the National Institute for Health & Care Excellence in the UK) notes prescribing is not limited to 2 years - recognising that obesity is a long-term condition
What should I ask my doctor?
Whether you are accessing weight loss medication on the NHS, or privately, here are some useful questions that you should ask your doctor
Am I eligible for treatment under UK criteria (BMI threshold, specialist service requirement)?
Is the medication you are prescribing approved/licensed for me (or is it off-label in my case)?
What dose will be applied, and how long is the plan?
What lifestyle support (dietitian, physical activity, behavioural therapy) will accompany the treatment?
How long do you anticipate I will remain on treatment? What happens if I stop?
What are the most likely side-effects for me (given my health history)? How will you monitor them?
How will we monitor my muscle mass, bone health, metabolic markers (cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, liver/kidney function) – particularly if you are menopausal
If I am or may become pregnant, or want to in the future, what is the plan?
How do we tailor this plan for my stage of life (menopause, changing body composition, bone health, muscle mass)?
NICE produces a useful discussion aid for healthcare professionals and patients, that it would be useful to read prior to an initial appointment.
Side-Effects & Safety Considerations
All medications have potential side-effects and risks as well as benefits. Here is a list of common, and not-so-common side effects of weight loss medication.
Common side-effects
Gastrointestinal symptoms, which include nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion – are all frequently reported. They are usually not severe, and decrease over time in most patients.
Hair loss, fatigue, palpitations, and injection site reactions are also possible.
These drugs reduce appetite, so my impact your enjoyment of food.
Less common side effects
Pancreatitis
Gallbladder disease: rapid weight-loss is known to increase gallstone risk.
Slowed gastric emptying: in certain procedural or surgical settings this may pose additional risk – so it is important to discuss your medication with a healthcare professional prior to any surgical procedure.
Special considerations for women taking weight loss medication
There are some special considerations for women who are taking, or thinking about taking weight loss medication.
Fertility/pregnancy issues: The MHRA has specifically issued guidance that GLP-1RAs should not be used during pregnancy or when trying to conceive, and women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception. The Pharmaceutical Journal
Menopause & hormonal changes: Women in peri- or post-menopause have changing body composition (lower muscle mass, shifting fat distribution). It’s important to pair weight-loss therapy with strength & resistance training, maintain a good protein intake, bone health support (calcium/vitamin D) and cardiovascular risk monitoring.
Bone health: Rapid weight loss may sometimes impact bone density; for women this means bone health needs monitoring (especially post-menopausal women are already at increased risk).
Sexual & pelvic health: Weight loss may improve pelvic floor and continence symptoms for some women; but preservation of lean mass and pelvic floor integrity is important.
Psychological & behavioural issues: Women may have different experiences of body image, dieting history, emotional eating triggers. So a structured plan of emotional health support can be really key, alongside this medication.
Summary & Final Thoughts
Weight loss, GLP-1-based treatments (like Wegovy and Mounjaro) represent a real move forward in the management of weight, especially for people who have struggled to lose weight with lifestyle alone. They work by altering appetite, satiety, digestion and metabolism.
The UK regulatory and health-economics bodies (MHRA, NICE, NHS England) have defined clear eligibility, monitoring and access pathways, and clinical trial evidence supports the efficacy of this medication, when combined with diet and activity.
For women — particularly in the mid-life or menopause stage — these medications can form a valuable part of a broader strategy. The key is to view them not as a stand-alone fix, but as one component in a holistic programme: lifestyle change, exercise (especially resistance training), nutritional adequacy, bone and muscle health, psychological support and ongoing monitoring.
At Clinic51, our approach is doctor-led, personalised, and evidence-based. If you’re considering weight-loss medication, we’ll work with you to assess suitability, set realistic expectations, integrate lifestyle support, monitor for side-effects and plan for long-term sustainability — all in a respectful, non-judgemental way.
If you’d like to explore whether weight loss injections might be appropriate for you, then we’d be happy to book a consultation.
This article is for information only and does not constitute medical advice.
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