WeightWatchers launched a new menopause-focused program on Monday, designed to support women with weight management from perimenopause through postmenopause.
New York City-based WeightWatchers is a wellness company that combines technology and community support to help people lose weight and improve their fitness. It leverages behavioral health tactics, like a point tracking system, to encourage mindful eating.
WeightWatchers for Menopause, meanwhile, offers access to one-on-one support with menopause-trained clinicians and registered dietitians. Consumers receive nutrition support, fitness focused on strength and stability, and menopause-related workshops. The program starts at $25 a month.
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If needed, members can also be prescribed medications like GLP-1s or Hormone Replace Therapy. The latter involves replacing hormones in order to alleviate symptoms for menopause, like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Women of menopausal age in the WeightWatchers Clinic (its program for weight loss prescriptions) lost an average of 18.6% of their body weight (about 40 pounds) in a year, and new Mayo Clinic research suggests that combining hormone therapy with GLP-1 semaglutide can boost weight loss by around 30% compared to using a GLP-1 alone.
“Many women experience changes in weight, sleep, mood, and overall health during this time, and those changes can feel overwhelming,” said Kim Boyd, MD, chief medical officer of WeightWatchers, in an email. “Traditional approaches don’t always address these unique needs, often leaving women feeling isolated or dismissed. We are uniquely positioned to provide women in this stage of life with the guidance and tools they need to achieve real, lasting results which is why we launched WeightWatchers for Menopause.”
The company also appointed actress Queen Latifah as the official spokesperson of the menopause program.
“Menopause has been a new journey for me — one that’s changed how I see and care for my body,” Queen Latifah said in a statement. “It’s shown me how important it is for women to have support that truly understands this stage of life. That’s why I’m proud to be the spokesperson for WeightWatchers’ new program. For decades, WeightWatchers has helped women live healthier, more confident lives, and now they’re once again leading the way with care designed for menopause.”
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In launching the menopause clinic, the company hopes to give women the tools and support they need throughout their menopause journey, Boyd said.
“That means helping them manage symptoms in ways that fit their lifestyle by ensuring they have access to science-backed nutrition, one-on-one guidance with menopause-trained clinicians who can prescribe evidence-based treatments, where appropriate, Workshops led by coaches who understand this stage of life, and a compassionate community of women by their side,” she said.
The creation of the menopause program comes shortly after WeightWatchers filed for bankruptcy in May. However, the company completed its financial reorganization in June and is focused on launching “new innovations,” starting with this menopause offering, a spokesperson told MedCity News.
Several other companies also offer weight management support for menopause, including Midi Health and Evernow.
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