How to Come Off Mounjaro or Ozempic Safely in Menopause (Step-by-Step)

“I’m scared I’m going to put all the weight back on.”
If you’ve recently decided to stop weight loss injections like Mounjaro or Wegovy, you might be feeling this too.

Maybe the side effects became too much.
Maybe the cost felt unsustainable.
Or maybe you just knew it wasn’t something you wanted to be on forever.

Whatever your reason, stepping away from these medications can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff, unsure whether you’ll land on solid ground or tumble back to where you started. And if you’re in perimenopause or postmenopause, the fear can feel even bigger because your body already feels like it’s shifting under your feet.

I want you to know this: you are not doomed to regain all the weight.
But, and here’s the honest part, it does take a thoughtful, supported transition.

Why weight regain happens after stopping injections

Weight loss injections work by influencing appetite, blood sugar regulation and digestion. When you stop taking them, those effects stop too.
Your hunger cues may return more strongly, your cravings may feel louder and your body may start to defend the weight it’s just lost, especially if it senses a “famine” situation.

Layer on the hormonal changes of menopause (hello oestrogen drop, muscle loss and shifting fat distribution) and it’s easy to see why this is a vulnerable time for weight regain.

But there’s good news: with the right tools, you can keep your hard-earned progress.

Success after medication requires a new metabolic foundation.

See how my 12-week program supports GLP-1 transitions

How I help women through this transition

As a Health & Nutrition Coach specialising in menopause, I work with women in this exact position. Our focus isn’t on going “back on a diet” or punishing the body, it’s about creating a new foundation for your health that supports your biology now.

Here’s how:

1. Stabilising blood sugar
We rebuild your nutrition to keep your energy steady, your appetite in check and those post-injection cravings from taking over. This often means pairing protein and fibre at every meal, eating enough (not less) and timing meals in a way that works with your daily rhythm.

2. Protecting muscle
Menopause already accelerates muscle loss and losing muscle means losing metabolic strength. We focus on strength training that’s hormone-aware, so you keep burning energy efficiently and stay strong for daily life.

3. Managing stress and sleep
Poor sleep and chronic stress can quickly trigger weight regain, especially in midlife. We work on simple, realistic routines that help your body feel safe enough to let go of the “emergency mode” it slips into after stopping medication.

4. Mindset & habits for the long game
Quick fixes aren’t the answer. Together, we build habits that feel natural and sustainable, so you’re not relying on willpower alone.

The real results

The women I’ve supported through this transition often tell me the same thing:
“I feel like I’ve got my life back, without the fear.”

They’re maintaining their weight, feeling stronger, and most importantly, they trust their body again.
They’re not chained to a medication, a number on the scale, or a rigid set of rules.

This isn’t just about weight - it’s about long‑term stability

If you’ve used GLP‑1 medication like Mounjaro and are thinking about what comes next, that’s completely understandable.

Weight loss and appetite changes are deeply intertwined with how your body regulates energy, hunger, metabolism and hormones - all of which can shift during perimenopause and menopause.

So the real question isn’t just:
“How do I keep weight off?”

It’s:
“What set of conditions in my body and life is keeping weight on in the first place?”

Because without understanding that, it’s easy to feel stuck in cycles of:

  • losing weight and gaining it back

  • trying new things that don’t stick

  • feeling confused or frustrated

  • and wondering why things don’t feel the way they used to

That’s not a personal failure. It’s a sign that your body and metabolism are asking for a different kind of insight and support.

Still worrying, read this → How to keep weight off in Menopause after Ozempic & Mounjaro

Understanding comes before strategy

Most weight‑focused advice assumes your body works the same way it used to.

But during perimenopause and menopause, your hormonal landscape - and how your body uses energy - can change in ways that make old strategies feel less effective.

That’s why the most helpful first step isn’t a new diet or routine - it’s clarity.

Clarity about:

  • how your hormones interact with your metabolism

  • why your energy and appetite feel different

  • what your body is signalling right now

  • and what kinds of approaches make sense for you (not just in theory)

Where to start

If this article resonates with you - not just on a practical level, but on a “this finally makes sense” level - a great next step is:

→ Start with the Free Perimenopause Blueprint

This guide helps you:

  • understand how menopause affects energy, appetite, and metabolism

  • see how the pieces connect

  • and begin building clarity that guides your choices more confidently

Before making big decisions about medication, eating plans, or exercise routines, it’s worth understanding the why — because that clarity changes everything.

If you want personalised support

For some women, once they have clarity, the next step is support in making changes that actually fit their life and body - without pushing harder, feeling overwhelmed, or reverting back into frustration.

If and when you feel ready for that kind of support, you can start here:

Book a free 30‑minute Menopause Clarity Call

This call isn’t a sales pitch.
It’s a chance to talk through where you’re at and get a clearer sense of what support - if any - might help next.

Explore further

If you’re still figuring out what kind of support you might need, these may help:

→ See how menopause coaching gives you structure, clarity and direction
→ Read: Menopause coaching vs therapy vs GP support — what’s right for you?
What results can you realistically expect from menopause coaching?

5 Signs you are Ready for Support

Research & Clinical Insights

  1. Healthline – Weight Regain After Stopping Mounjaro
    Research indicates that patients who stopped taking Mounjaro regained about 14% of the weight they lost after one year.

  2. Drugs.com – Maintaining Weight Loss After Mounjaro
    Structured behavioral support, meal spacing, and regular follow-ups with healthcare providers can help prevent weight regain after stopping Mounjaro.

  3. JAMA Network – Discontinuation of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
    Discontinuation of GLP-1 receptor agonists like Mounjaro can lead to weight regain, emphasizing the need for continued lifestyle modifications.

  4. The Guardian – Weight Regain After Stopping Weight Loss Drugs
    Analysis shows that individuals often regain weight within a year after stopping weight loss medications, highlighting the importance of sustainable lifestyle changes.

  5. PMC – Weight Gain Following Discontinuation of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
    A comprehensive review indicates that discontinuation of GLP-1 receptor agonists leads to significant weight gain, underscoring the necessity of ongoing weight management strategies.

Expert Guidance & Lifestyle Strategies

  1. The Times – 21 Rules to Keeping Weight Off
    Experts recommend increasing protein, fibre and healthy fats, maintaining high physical activity and adding resistance training to preserve muscle and metabolism.

  2. SF Chronicle – The 'Single Most Important Behavior' for Women in Menopause
    Emphasises the importance of diet and strength training for managing weight during perimenopause and menopause.

  3. Mayo Clinic – The Reality of Menopause Weight Gain
    Discusses how hormonal changes during menopause affect metabolism and provides tips for managing weight.

  4. Menopause.org.au – Maintaining Your Weight and Health During and After Menopause
    Highlights the benefits of healthy lifestyle choices, including diet and physical activity, in maintaining weight and health during and after menopause.

Phillipa Jacobs-Smith

Phillipa Jacobs-Smith (formerly Weaver-Smith) is a UKIHCA-registered menopause health coach in London helping women 40+ navigate perimenopause and postmenopause with evidence-based, personalised coaching. Her work focuses on sleep disruption, metabolic health, muscle protection and sustainable lifestyle change for long-term strength and confidence.

https://Themenopausehealthcoach.com
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Losing Your Sh*t: Mood Swings & Rages in Perimenopause

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9 Early Signs of Hormonal Imbalance in Menopause & Perimenopause