As a Menopause Coach and Counsellor, I see firsthand how weight gain during the midlife transition can be emotionally and physically overwhelming for women.
With shifting hormones, slower metabolism, and increased stress levels, many women feel as if their bodies are no longer their own. In the midst of this struggle, weight loss injections like Ozempic (semaglutide) have emerged as a tempting solution. But as with anything quick and drastic, it’s important to pause and examine both the promise and the pitfalls.
Sharon Osbourne’s recent journey with weight loss jabs has sparked vital conversations about their impact, particularly for women navigating hormonal changes.
The Promise: Why Weight Loss Injections Appeal to Midlife Women
Ozempic and similar GLP-1 receptor agonists were originally created to manage type 2 diabetes but have quickly become a go-to for rapid weight loss. They work by mimicking a gut hormone that signals fullness to the brain, helping to reduce appetite and slow down digestion.
For many menopausal women, the pros of weight loss jabs include:
- Noticeable Weight Loss: Clinical trials show a loss of up to 15% of body weight, often within months.
- Appetite Control: For women battling cravings driven by hormonal imbalances, this effect can feel like a lifeline.
- Improved Blood Sugar Levels: A welcome benefit, especially for those at risk of insulin resistance or prediabetes in menopause.
But at What Cost?
The Concerns I Share with My Clients
While weight loss injections might offer hope, they also come with side effects that we, as coaches and health practitioners, cannot ignore—especially in the context of menopause.
Potential risks of weight loss jabs include:
Nausea, Vomiting, and Digestive Upset:
Common side effects can worsen already sensitive midlife digestion.
Unintentional Extreme Weight Loss:
As Sharon Osbourne experienced, some women lose too much, too quickly—putting their muscle mass and bone density (already at risk during menopause) in jeopardy.
- Body Image Distortion:
Rapid weight loss can skew body perception, triggering or worsening disordered eating patterns in vulnerable women.
- Lack of Long-Term Data:
We still don’t know how safe these drugs are over time for those without diabetes.
Sharon Osbourne’s Story: A Wake-Up Call
Sharon Osbourne began Ozempic in late 2022 and lost over 40 pounds in just a few months. But by mid-2023, she expressed regret, saying she had become too thin and was struggling to regain healthy weight. Her comment, “It’s just not a good look,” highlights the emotional toll of such rapid changes—especially as women already face intense scrutiny about aging and appearance.
She later warned of the drug’s addictive nature, saying it’s “easy to get hooked on the weight loss,” particularly for younger women who may not fully understand the consequences.
The Bottom Line: No Quick Fix for Menopause Weight Gain
As a menopause coach, I encourage a more balanced, compassionate approach to weight management—one that prioritizes health over size. While weight loss injections might have a place in a medically supervised plan for some, they are not a magic solution for the complex, multi-layered changes happening in the menopausal body.
Instead, I advocate for:
- Hormonal balance through nutrition and lifestyle
- Gentle movement and resistance training
- Emotional support and community connection
- Magnesium and adaptogen-based solutions that support sleep and stress regulation
Weight loss shouldn’t come at the cost of vitality, self-worth, or mental well-being. Sharon Osbourne’s experience is a powerful reminder that in midlife, health should be our focus—not the number on the scale.
