Scientists at the Mayo Clinic studied women who have gone through menopause. They wanted to see if a medicine called tirzepatide works better when the women also take hormone therapy.
The study showed that women who used both treatments lost about 35% more weight than women who only took tirzepatide.
Why Hormone Therapy Helps
Hormone therapy is often given to reduce hot flashes and night sweats. It may also help women stick to healthier habits, like eating well and exercising.
Earlier research hinted that hormone therapy could make other weight‑loss drugs work better, but there was no data on tirzepatide until now.
How the Study Was Done
Researchers looked at 120 adults who were overweight or obese and had taken tirzepatide for at least a year. They split them into two groups: those who also used hormone therapy and those who did not. Both groups started with similar weight and health conditions.
What the Researchers Learned
One possible reason for the extra loss is that hormone therapy improves sleep and mood, making it easier to follow diet and exercise plans.
Scientists also think estrogen, a hormone given in therapy, might boost the appetite‑blocking effect of tirzepatide.
Next Steps
The team plans to run a controlled trial to confirm these results. They also want to see if hormone therapy helps improve heart‑related health markers, not just weight.
If the follow‑up studies succeed, doctors could have a new, evidence‑based way to lower health risks for millions of postmenopausal women.
This research was funded by the Mayo Clinic Center for Women's Health Research.