Global pharma powerhouse Novo Nordisk has unveiled new clinical evidence showing Wegovy (semaglutide) delivers strong, consistent weight-loss benefits for obese women across all reproductive life stages -- premenopause through the menopause transition and beyond.
The data, presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026) in Istanbul, draws on results from the STEP UP trial, the SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial, and a large real-world evidence study.
Together, they paint a consistent picture: significant weight loss, reduced waist circumference, improved cardiometabolic health, and broader quality-of-life benefits.
Novo Nordisk highlighted that women treated with Wegovy (semaglutide)—a formulation of semaglutide—not only lost substantial weight but also showed reductions in visceral fat and improvements in outcomes ranging from cardiovascular risk to migraines, depression, and menopause-related symptoms.
“Nearly one in five women worldwide are now living with obesity,” the company noted, adding that risk intensifies during menopause, when hormonal shifts drive abdominal fat gain and raise cardiometabolic danger.
During this period, women’s cardiovascular risk rises sharply—now matching that of men—yet heart disease remains the leading cause of death in women globally, exceeding all cancers combined. Underdiagnosis and underrepresentation in research persist as major concerns.
“For women with obesity, hormonal changes during menopause can drive weight gain and increase the risk of a heart attack,” said Mette Thomsen, group vice president and head of Global Medical Affairs at Novo Nordisk.
“New clinical and real-world data presented at ECO demonstrate that effective weight management with semaglutide around menopause addresses medical complications of obesity, such as heart disease and metabolic dysfunction. But it can also help address daily burdens such as migraine, depression and menopause-related challenges. We are excited to share new insights that may benefit the many women living with obesity.”
In a post-hoc analysis of the STEP UP trial, results showed striking and consistent weight reduction across all menopausal stages. Premenopausal women lost an average of 22.6% of body weight on high-dose semaglutide (7.2 mg), with more than 40% achieving at least 25% weight loss.
Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women saw similarly strong results, with weight loss of 19.7% and 19.8%, respectively. Waist circumference dropped by up to 17.5%, signalling major reductions in harmful visceral fat.
By week 72, nearly half of participants had moved out of the obesity range into overweight or normal weight categories.
A second analysis from the SELECT trial showed meaningful reductions in heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with obesity and established heart disease.
While results aligned with the broader SELECT findings, perimenopausal women saw a numerically larger risk reduction—42% lower risk versus placebo, compared with 13% in postmenopausal women.
The difference was not statistically significant, but researchers say the trend reinforces the cardiovascular benefit of semaglutide across menopausal stages.
“Menopause, associated weight gain and unwanted changes in cardiometabolic markers can significantly impact long-term health and well-being of women. Still, they remain one of the most neglected areas in obesity research,” said Dr Emilia Huvinen, Gynaecologist researcher and associate professor at the University of Helsinki.
“Whether we look at cardiovascular outcomes or weight loss across menopausal stages, semaglutide appears to offer meaningful benefits for women with obesity that extend well beyond weight loss alone.”
