GLP-1s and Peptides After 40: What Women Need to Know
If you’re a woman over 40, you may feel like your body suddenly started playing by different rules.
What used to work for weight loss doesn’t anymore.
Energy feels less predictable.
Recovery takes longer.
And body composition can change—even if your habits haven’t.
Lord Knows…I’ve experienced all of this since perimenopause hit me 3 years.
At the same time, GLP-1 medications and peptides are everywhere—on social media, in doctors’ offices, and in conversations among women navigating perimenopause and menopause.
What do these tools actually do? And how do they fit into real life for women over 40—whether you’re an endurance athlete or simply trying to feel strong, energized, and confident again?
In the past few months, a lot of my friends and FASTer Way clients have asked me about them. I couldn’t answer them, so I decided to do some research.
Here’s what I’ve learned so far:
(1) Why GLP-1s Are So Popular With Women Over 40
GLP-1 medications mimic a hormone your body already produces that helps regulate:
- Blood sugar and insulin response
- Appetite and satiety
- Digestion speed
- Metabolic efficiency
They were originally prescribed for type-2 diabetes, but are now widely used for weight loss and metabolic health.
How common are they?
- Roughly 1 in 8 U.S. adults has used a GLP-1 medication.
- Women use them at higher rates than men.
- Estimates suggest 15–20% of women over 40 have used or are currently using a GLP-1, with the highest usage in women aged 50–64.
This makes sense. Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can affect insulin sensitivity, fat storage, appetite regulation, and energy levels—areas GLP-1s directly influence.
(2) What GLP-1s Do Well—and Where Context Matters
GLP-1s can be incredibly effective for:
- Improving metabolic markers
- Supporting weight loss
- Reducing constant food noise
- Helping some women regain a sense of control around eating
But they also work by reducing appetite, which is where nuance becomes important.
For women who are active—or training hard—this can create challenges:
- Undereating without realizing it
- Difficulty meeting protein needs
- Loss of lean muscle mass if strength training isn’t prioritized
- Slower recovery and increased fatigue
For endurance athletes specifically, fueling and recovery become even more critical.
GLP-1s aren’t inherently good or bad. They are a tool that requires education, especially for women who want to preserve muscle, strength, and long-term health.
(3) Peptides: What Women Are Really Referring To
“Peptides” is an umbrella term, which is why the topic can feel confusing.
Common peptides discussed in weight loss & anti-aging spaces:
1. GLP-1–Based Peptides
These are the most common and well-known. Their primary role is appetite regulation and metabolic control.
2. Collagen Peptides
Among the most studied and widely used peptides.
Often used to support:
- Joint and connective tissue health
- Skin elasticity
- Tendons and ligaments
- Recovery when paired with strength training
3. Growth-Hormone–Stimulating Peptides
Often marketed for:
- Fat loss
- Recovery
- Anti-aging
- Muscle preservation
Important note: many of these have limited human research, are not FDA-approved, and some are banned in competitive sport.
This is where education and individualized decision-making matter.
The Bigger Question for Women Over 40
The real question isn’t:
“Do GLP-1s or peptides work?”
It’s:
Do they support your goals, lifestyle, muscle health, energy, and long-term well-being?
For women over 40, the foundation still matters most:
- Adequate fueling (especially protein and carbohydrates)
- Strength training to protect lean mass
- Stress and cortisol management
- Gut health and recovery
GLP-1s and peptides may play a role—but they don’t replace these fundamentals. Let me repeat that: SUPPLEMENTS DON’T REPLACE THE FOUNDATION.
Final Thoughts
More women over 40 are exploring GLP-1s and peptides than ever before.
That includes women who don’t identify as athletes—and women who train hard every week.
This is a fast-moving space, and the conversation needs nuance, not hype.
The FASTer Way leaders are giving us coaches more and more information on this topic. I will continue to update my blogs and my social media spaces as I continue to learn more.
Are you currently on a GLP-1 or other peptide? If so, and if you’re comfortable talking to me about your experience, please feel free to comment below, or shoot me an email: [email protected] 🥰
Thanks for being here, and thanks for reading.
Paige xo
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