When Nothing Seems to Work: Understanding Menopause, Metabolism & Modern Weight Loss Tools
- Don Gordon
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
When Everything Fails: Exploring Menopause, Metabolism, and Contemporary Weight Loss Solutions
By Donald Gordon Bsc (Hons) NS MFHT— Functional Nutritionist & Wellness Coach
Recently, a client said something that really stayed with me:
“I don’t think people like you (a man) who is lean, never had weight issues realise how hard it is for menopausal women — the hormones, the moods, the body changes, feeling desperate when clothes don’t fit anymore, like nothing works anymore. Sometimes medication feels like the only option.”
I felt curious and open enough to examine my own potential for blind spots or cognitive dissonance to recognize this with empathy and sincerity.
For many women, especially through their 40s, 50s and beyond, the combination of hormonal shifts, body composition changes, disrupted sleep and increased stress can make weight management feel impossible. And when you feel unheard or unsupported, it is completely understandable to look for solutions that promise relief.
So, I hold my hands up and rather than simply stay silent, I thought I would share this short blog which is not about judging choices — it’s about context, physiology, safety, and what truly supports long-term health.
Menopause Makes Weight Change Harder — for Real Biological Reasons
This is not “lack of willpower” or “not trying hard enough.” It’s physiology:
Oestrogen fluctuations change how your body uses and stores energy
Muscle mass naturally declines with age
Sleep disturbances raise cortisol and cravings
Insulin sensitivity shifts
Mood and motivation become harder to regulate
Clothing fits differently even with the same weight
Many women describe this period as “losing control of a body I’ve known my whole life.”
You are not imagining it — and you are not alone. I have personally heard these descriptions through hundreds of consultations with real women over the past 20 years.
Why Many Women Explore Medical Weight Management Tools
Today, more women are offered or exploring medically supervised weight-management pathways, including injectable or oral appetite-regulating therapies.
It’s important to be clear and compliant here:
These medications are legitimate clinical tools when prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional
They are used for specific medical circumstances
They can help certain people under proper oversight
They are not designed as aesthetic shortcuts or quick fixes
Buying any medication online without proper screening can carry risks
Many respected practitioners — including leading voices like Dr Mark Hyman, Prof. Robert Lustig, Dr Rangan Chatterjee, and others — are raising important discussions around:
Muscle preservation
Bone density
Nutrient intake
Gut health
Metabolic slowing
Psychological dependence
Long-term maintenance
None of these concerns are about fear — they’re about wanting people to have full information so they can make informed choices.
Why Muscle Matters for Women — Especially During Menopause
Some people still debate whether muscle is an “endocrine organ,” but an increasing body of science shows that muscle releases myokines — signalling molecules that influence:
Metabolism
Inflammation
Brain function
Mood
Blood sugar
Immune regulation
Key research: Pedersen & Febbraio (Nature Reviews Endocrinology)Lourenco et al. (Nature Medicine)
This is why preserving muscle is critical — not just for shape, but for cognitive performance, mobility and metabolic health.
Many medical experts emphasise that any weight-loss approach should protect muscle, not sacrifice it.
Bone Health: An Often Overlooked Part of the Conversation
Women going through perimenopause and menopause already experience natural bone density changes. Combine that with:
low appetite
low protein intake
rapid weight change
reduced mechanical loading
low vitamin D
lower oestrogen
reduced muscle mass
years of restrictive eating habits
…and the risk to bone health can increase.
Point in case (albeit rare in my personal experience) One of my clients under the age of 50 recently suffered a significant bone fracture after almost a year of using a medically supervised appetite-regulating medication. This is unusual for someone of her age — but it got me thinking… and it raises important questions about bone turnover, nutrient intake and muscle loading.
Again, this is not about blame — it is about awareness.
What Many Women Aren’t Told: Weight Loss Isn’t the Same as Fat Loss
A number of studies show that without careful support:
significant lean muscle can be lost
metabolic rate can drop
energy can decline
mood and cognitive function may be affected
weight can return when medication stops
This is why leading functional and lifestyle medicine experts argue that nutrition, protein intake, resistance training, behavioural support and metabolic conditioning must be part of the plan.
Medication without lifestyle support is like taking the engine out of the car and hoping it still drives.
A Safer, More Sustainable Approach
My role is not to replace medical care. My role is to complement it — supporting women with:
✔ Menopause-aware nutrition
✔ Muscle-preserving strategies
✔ Bone-health support
✔ Mood & cognitive resilience
✔ Professional guidance during weight changes
✔ Alternatives for those who prefer non-medical approaches
✔ Safe transition plans for those who discontinue medication
✔ A non-judgemental space to talk honestly
This is not a quick-fix or a fad. It’s evidence-based, compassionate, and built on 20 years of clinical experience.
If You’re Feeling Stuck — You’re Exactly Who I Designed This For
If you feel confused about your options…If you feel your body has changed in ways you don’t recognise…If you’re considering medication or already on it…If you want a practitioner who is open, holistic, cares and is supportive in your hormonal, metabolic journey and emotional reality…
I’d love to support you.
👉 Book a confidential call here
Your health deserves more than shortcuts. You deserve clarity, safety and a plan that honours the body you are living in now.
References:
