Do women with obesity lose more weight on GLP-1 drugs than men?
GLP-1 drugs (like semaglutide and tirzepatide) are highly effective for weight loss, but their effects may differ between women and men. A large 2025 analysis of multiple clinical trials found that women with obesity lost significantly more weight than men on these medications, though the difference was not huge. This sex difference appears consistent across various GLP-1 drugs, but individual results depend on many factors, including starting weight, adherence, and lifestyle.
What the research says
A comprehensive 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials examined how GLP-1 receptor agonists (including semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide) affect weight loss by sex. The study found that women lost significantly more weight than men on these drugs, with a mean difference of about 1-2% more total body weight loss 4. This pattern held across different GLP-1 medications and was not explained by differences in baseline weight or diabetes status 4. The analysis included data from thousands of participants across multiple trials, making this one of the most robust assessments of sex differences in GLP-1 response to date 4.
Other research supports the idea that women may respond differently to weight loss interventions. For example, a study of diet-based weight loss found that women lost less total weight than men (5.9 kg vs 7.2 kg) but had similar proportional muscle loss 5. However, this diet study did not involve GLP-1 drugs, so it highlights that sex differences in weight loss are not unique to medications 5.
It is important to note that while women tend to lose more weight on GLP-1 drugs, the clinical significance of this difference is modest. Both sexes can achieve substantial weight loss with these medications. For instance, a network meta-analysis found that tirzepatide 10 or 15 mg led to an average 21.3% total weight loss, and sleeve gastrectomy produced similar results (21.1%) 3. These averages do not break down by sex, but they show the high efficacy of GLP-1 drugs overall 3.
Additionally, a study of GLP-1 use in people with multiple sclerosis (mostly women) found that those with higher starting BMI tended to lose more weight, but the study did not directly compare sexes 10. This suggests that baseline weight may be a stronger predictor of weight loss than sex alone 10.
What to ask your doctor
- Based on my sex and current weight, what weight loss results can I realistically expect from a GLP-1 medication?
- Are there any sex-specific side effects or considerations I should know about before starting a GLP-1 drug?
- How does my starting BMI affect how much weight I might lose on these medications?
- Should I combine a GLP-1 drug with lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) to maximize weight loss?
- If I am planning to become pregnant, how do GLP-1 drugs affect fertility and pregnancy, and when should I stop taking them?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about this topic and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.