Interview: Dr Toni Hazell on obesity, weight loss injections and considerations for patients taking oral contraception and HRT

In this episode of the Clinical Update podcast, GP Dr Toni Hazell talks to MIMS Learning editor Pat Anderson about obesity, women’s health, and the use of weight loss medications by people who may be taking hormones for contraception or menopause.

Dr Hazell talks about the nature of obesity and its effects on people’s lives, including the ‘heartbreaking’ stigma that they may experience. She says that newer weight loss medications such as GLP-1 agonists or dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists are a ‘game changer’ for many people.

However, there are considerations around the potential effect of newer weight loss medications on the absorption of hormones from oral contraceptives and oral components of HRT, which GPs need to be clear on.

Dr Hazell provides practical tips for primary care and signposts useful guidance that will help them best support people who could be affected by these issues.

You can access the website version of this podcast, along with a list of key learning points, on MIMS Learning - and make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

Educational objectives

After listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to: 

• Reflect on the impact of obesity and of GLP-1-related weight loss medications
• Understand why these weight loss medications may affect hormones taken orally
• Know how to approach the use of contraception and HRT in this context
• Access guidance providing practical advice for GPs

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

MIMS Learning

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Complex contraception scenarios part 1

Answering patients’ questions on intrauterine contraception

Podcast bonus episode: Dr Olivia Hum on the latest in menopause management

Guidance update: NICE guidelines on menopause

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