Semaglutide Obesity Therapy Linked to Reduced Migraine Risk in Women
Anti-obesity medication containing the active ingredient semaglutide has once again become a focal point in the global health arena. Recent research presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) 2026 indicates that semaglutide therapy, via the product Wegovy, has the potential to help lower the risk of migraines, depression, and even heart disease in menopausal women living with obesity.
These findings were presented by Novo Nordisk and reported by the international pharmaceutical media outlet drugtopics.com. In a one-year real-world study involving over 34,000 menopausal women in the United States, women using Wegovy recorded a 42% to 45% lower risk of migraines compared to the group undergoing only menopause hormone therapy.
Furthermore, the research showed a 25% lower risk of depression in the semaglutide user group compared to those receiving only hormone therapy. These results reinforce the growing interest in therapies based on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which are now considered to have broader benefits beyond the management of obesity and diabetes.
In addition to impacts on mental and neurological health, data from the STEP UP clinical trial shows that semaglutide is also effective in assisting weight loss throughout all phases of menopause. Premenopausal women with obesity using a 7.2 mg dose of semaglutide experienced an average weight loss of up to 22.6% over 72 weeks of therapy. More than 41% of participants even succeeded in losing 25% or more of their body weight. Meanwhile, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women experienced weight reductions of 19.7% and 19.8%, respectively.
The study also noted a significant reduction in waist circumference across all participant groups. This reduction is considered an indicator of decreased visceral fat, which is linked to the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
In another analysis from the SELECT study, the use of semaglutide in menopausal women with obesity and heart disease was also associated with a decreased risk of heart attack, stroke, and death from cardiovascular disease.
According to data presented at ECO 2026, nearly one in five women worldwide lives with obesity. This risk increases during menopause due to hormonal changes that affect fat distribution and metabolic health. Mette Thomsen, Group Vice President and Head of Global Medical Affairs at Novo Nordisk, stated that hormonal changes during menopause can increase weight while simultaneously magnifying the risk of heart attacks in obese women. She noted that semaglutide therapy not only helps manage medical complications resulting from obesity but also assists in reducing migraines, depression, and other menopause-related challenges that affect women’s quality of life.
Emilia Huvinen, an Associate Professor from the University of Helsinki, remarked that menopause remains an area that receives insufficient attention in global obesity research. She assessed that the benefits of semaglutide appear to extend beyond mere weight loss, as they are directly related to heart health and patient quality of life.
The popularity of GLP-1 therapies, such as Wegovy and Ozempic, continues to rise globally. As of March 2026, GLP-1 therapies reportedly accounted for nearly 8% of all prescriptions filled in the United States. Between December 2025 and March 2026, new prescriptions for anti-obesity drugs also increased by approximately 21.7%. While the research findings are considered promising, researchers emphasised that some findings regarding migraines and depression are still observational, meaning further research is required to confirm a direct cause-and-effect relationship.