GLP-1 Weight Loss Shots In Chinese Medicine: What Peri- and Menopausal Women Should Know

If you’re a woman in your 40s or 50s, you’ve probably noticed that weight loss suddenly feels… different.

What used to work doesn’t anymore. The snacking is harder to control. Sweet cravings show up out of nowhere. And, most frustratingly, even when you’re “doing everything right,” the scale doesn’t budge.

Enter GLP-1 weight loss medications — often presented as the long-awaited solution.

But before assuming your body needs a medication to override its appetite, it’s worth asking a deeper question:

What is your body actually asking for?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a valuable perspective here — especially for peri- and menopausal women — because it focuses on why weight gain and cravings happen, not just how to suppress them.

What GLP-1 Medications Are Designed to Do

From a Western medical standpoint, GLP-1 medications:

• Mimic a naturally occurring hormone involved in blood sugar regulation

• Slow stomach emptying

• Increase feelings of fullness

• Reduce appetite and “food noise”

• Improve insulin sensitivity

  
  

In simple terms, they quiet hunger signals.

And for some people, they can be very effective.

But from a TCM perspective, appetite isn’t the enemy — it’s information. What's really going on in your body.

A TCM Translation: What These Medications Are Doing Energetically

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, digestion and metabolism are governed primarily by the Spleen system (which includes pancreatic and digestive function, not just the anatomical spleen).

Hunger, cravings, and weight changes are messages about how well this system is functioning.

GLP-1 medications, energetically speaking, tend to:

• Suppress appetite without strengthening digestion

• Slow the digestive “fire”

• Create a colder, more inhibited digestive environment

  
  

This is especially relevant for peri- and menopausal women, who are already more prone to digestive weakness and metabolic slowdown.

Why Peri- and Menopausal Women Are Different

During this stage of life, we often see:

• Declining estrogen affecting insulin sensitivity

• Slower thyroid signaling (even when labs are “normal”)

• Increased stress load and poor sleep

• Loss of muscle mass

• Years of dieting that weakened digestion

  
  

From a TCM lens, this often shows up as:

• Spleen Qi or Yang deficiency (low metabolic fire)

• Liver Qi stagnation (stress-related eating, cravings, emotional eating)

• Dampness and Phlegm accumulation (weight that feels hard to lose)

  
  

In this terrain, appetite suppression alone may lead to:

• Fatigue

• Nausea or bloating

• Constipation

• Muscle loss

• Rebound weight gain when medication stops

  
  

Because the root imbalance hasn’t been addressed. Weight in of itself is not a root cause, but a symptom. Our goal is to figure out if it's lifestyle-related OR if there truly is a deeper imbalance at play in our body.

The Sweet Craving Clue

Many peri-menopausal women say:

“I’m not even that hungry — I just want snacks or sweets.”

In TCM, this often reflects:

• Inadequate protein or nourishment earlier in the day

• Blood sugar instability

• Spleen Qi deficiency

• Stress affecting digestion (Liver overacting on the Spleen)

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Your body isn’t lacking willpower. It’s often lacking support.

What to Explore Before Starting a GLP-1

Before assuming medication is the answer, it’s worth asking:

• Is this hormonal (peri- or menopause)?

• Is there low-normal thyroid function?

• Is blood sugar dipping due to skipped meals?

• Is protein intake adequate — especially in the morning?

• Is chronic stress driving cravings?

• Is digestion strong enough to transform food into energy?

  
  

From a TCM perspective, we want to know:

• Is this deficiency, stagnation, or excess?

• Is the Spleen weak?

• Is the Liver stressed?

• Are the Kidneys (long-term energy reserves) depleted?

  
  

These distinctions matter — because the treatment should match the pattern.

How Acupuncture Can Support Weight Loss Naturally

Acupuncture doesn’t suppress appetite.

It regulates it.

For peri- and menopausal women, acupuncture can:

• Improve insulin sensitivity

• Reduce sugar and snacking cravings

• Regulate appetite without slowing digestion

• Support thyroid and adrenal function

• Calm the nervous system and stress-driven eating

• Improve sleep (a major weight-regulation factor)

• Strengthen the Spleen’s ability to metabolize food

  
  

In other words:

Acupuncture helps restore appropriate hunger, not eliminate hunger.

When combined with simple lifestyle shifts — like adequate protein by mid-morning and regular meals — many women notice that cravings quiet naturally.

A Thoughtful First Step

For many women, it’s reasonable to try:

• Nourishing breakfast with protein (BEFORE 10am)

• Regular meals (no grazing)

• Stress and sleep support

• Acupuncture 1–2 times per week for 6–8 weeks

  
  

Then reassess.

Sometimes, once the body feels supported, the urgency for medication fades.

If You Do Choose a GLP-1: How Acupuncture Can Help

Some women decide that GLP-1 medications are the right choice — and that’s okay. I do think that some women really could benefit from being on a GLP-1 due to internal imbalances that are not fixed but changes in lifestyle alone.

Acupuncture can be a powerful complement, helping to:

• Reduce nausea and digestive discomfort

• Prevent constipation

• Support energy levels

• Protect digestion and Spleen Yang

• Help preserve muscle mass by improving tolerance for protein

• Support emotional balance during appetite changes

  
  

From a TCM standpoint, the goal is to protect the terrain while using the medication.

The Bigger Picture

Weight changes during peri- and menopause are not a personal failure.

They’re a signal that your physiology has shifted.

GLP-1 medications quiet the signal. Traditional Chinese Medicine asks why the signal is there.

Neither approach has to stand alone — but understanding your body before overriding it can make all the difference.

Curious? Have more questions? Please never hesitate to reach out.

GLP-1s and Chinese Medicine

Frequently Asked Questions: GLP-1, Menopause, and Acupuncture

Are GLP-1 weight loss shots safe during menopause?

GLP-1 medications are FDA-approved and can be effective for some women during menopause. However, peri- and menopausal women may be more sensitive to side effects such as nausea, fatigue, constipation, and muscle loss. Because digestion and metabolism often slow during this stage of life, it’s important to consider overall nutrient intake, protein consumption, and digestive health before and during use.

Can acupuncture replace GLP-1 medications for weight loss?

For some women, yes — especially when weight gain is related to stress, hormonal shifts, blood sugar instability, or digestive imbalance. Acupuncture helps regulate appetite, improve insulin sensitivity, reduce cravings, and support metabolism without suppressing digestion. That said, acupuncture is not a replacement for medication in every case. The best approach depends on the individual and their underlying pattern.

How does acupuncture help with menopausal weight gain?

Acupuncture works by supporting the systems that regulate weight:

• Improves insulin sensitivity

• Reduces stress hormones that drive cravings

• Supports thyroid and adrenal function

• Strengthens digestion and metabolism

• Improves sleep qualityFor many peri- and menopausal women, these changes naturally reduce overeating and support sustainable weight loss.

  
  

Why do I crave sweets more during perimenopause?

Sweet cravings during perimenopause are very common and often reflect blood sugar dips, inadequate protein intake, stress, or weakened digestion. From a TCM perspective, this can indicate Spleen Qi deficiency or Liver stress affecting digestion. These cravings are signals, not a lack of willpower.

Is acupuncture safe to use while on a GLP-1 medication?

Yes. Acupuncture is generally safe and can be a helpful complement for women using GLP-1 medications. It may reduce side effects such as nausea, bloating, constipation, fatigue, and anxiety, while supporting digestion and overall energy. Many women find acupuncture helps them tolerate the medication more comfortably.

Will GLP-1 medications slow my metabolism long-term?

GLP-1 medications reduce appetite, which can lead to weight loss, but they do not directly strengthen metabolic function. In some cases, reduced calorie intake may contribute to muscle loss if protein intake and resistance training are insufficient. Supporting digestion, muscle mass, and hormonal balance is especially important during menopause.

How long should I try acupuncture before deciding on GLP-1?

Many practitioners recommend a trial of 6–8 weeks of consistent acupuncture along with lifestyle adjustments (such as regular meals, adequate protein, stress management, and sleep support). This allows enough time to see whether cravings, appetite, and weight begin to shift naturally.

What kind of weight gain responds best to acupuncture?

Acupuncture is particularly effective when weight gain is associated with:

• Stress or emotional eating

• Hormonal transitions

• Insulin resistance

• Thyroid imbalance

• Digestive weakness

• Poor sleep

  These patterns are very common during peri- and menopause.

  
  

Is menopausal weight gain inevitable?

No. While hormonal changes make weight management more complex, weight gain is not inevitable. Supporting digestion, stress response, sleep, muscle mass, and blood sugar regulation can make a significant difference. Many women find that once their body feels supported, weight begins to shift more easily.