Are GLP-1 medications a game-changer for women in midlife—or just another quick fix? In this conversation, triple board-certified endocrinologist Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen joins Dr. Mary Claire Haver to cut through the hype and share what women really need to know about Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and the science behind sustainable weight loss.

Dr. Salas-Whalen, founder of New York Endocrinology and author of the upcoming book Weightless, explains why GLP-1 receptor agonists represent a fundamental shift in how we understand and treat obesity—not as a willpower problem, but as a chronic medical condition with biological drivers including hormones, genetics, and metabolism.

For women navigating perimenopause and menopause, the conversation gets even more specific. Dr. Salas-Whalen breaks down why estrogen decline drives fat redistribution to the abdomen, increases visceral fat, and makes it nearly impossible to lose weight using the same strategies that worked before. She reveals how GLP-1 medications can address the metabolic changes of midlife while protecting what matters most: muscle mass.

This episode covers:

• How GLP-1 medications work: mimicking gut hormones to regulate appetite, blood sugar, and metabolism

• Why 80% of women experience unexplained weight gain during perimenopause and menopause

• The difference between subcutaneous fat and visceral fat—and why it matters for heart health

• Dr. Salas-Whalen's GPS protocol: GLP-1 + Protein + Strength training to prevent muscle loss

• Why body composition matters more than BMI or the number on the scale

• How much muscle loss is acceptable during weight loss (and how to minimize it)

• The truth about "Ozempic face" 

• Who should consider GLP-1 medications—and who shouldn't

• Common side effects, how to manage them, and what proper medical supervision looks like

• Why these medications may need to be long-term treatment for chronic obesity

Dr. Salas-Whalen shares her clinical experience treating thousands of patients and addresses the viral misinformation circulating online. She explains why obesity is a transgenerational disease influenced by genetics, environment, food accessibility, and even childhood trauma—not personal failure.

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