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Can Men Use Wegovy? A Guide to Eligibility

By
By Dr Amit Singh
Am I Eligible?
wegovy and mounjaro injection pens

The buzz around Wegovy (semaglutide injection) for weight loss has been enormous since its UK launch in 2023. One of the most common questions we get is whether this treatment is specifically for women or if men can take Wegovy too.

The short answer is yes, men are absolutely eligible for Wegovy, provided they meet the appropriate clinical criteria. When it comes to effective weight management, the medication's mechanism of action - mimicking a natural appetite-regulating hormone - doesn't discriminate based on gender.

The Key Eligibility Criteria

Wegovy is licensed by the MHRA as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management (including weight loss and weight maintenance) in adults :

  • Age: You must be an adult (18 years or over).
  • Body Mass Index (BMI): You need to have a BMI in one of the following categories:
    • A BMI of 35 or more (classified as severe obesity).
    • A BMI of 30 to 34.9 (classified as obesity) and at least one weight-related comorbidity (like Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or obstructive sleep apnoea).
    • Note: Slightly lower BMI thresholds (27.5 kg/m² to 32.4 kg/m²) apply for people from certain ethnic minority groups (e.g., Asian, Chinese, Black African, or African-Caribbean).

Important Takeaway: The eligibility focuses on clinical indicators like BMI and related health conditions, not gender.

Why the Focus is on BMI and Comorbidities

Wegovy is licensed and recommended for adults who have a health-related need for significant weight loss. It's not a cosmetic drug; it's a serious medical treatment for the disease of obesity.

The reason the NHS has strict guidelines is to ensure the medication is given to those who will benefit most and who have the highest clinical need, particularly given its current limited availability and the necessity of prescribing it alongside a comprehensive lifestyle programme.

If you're a man who meets the criteria outlined above, your doctor or specialist team will assess you for suitability, taking into account your full medical history and current medications.

What to Discuss with Your Provider

If you're a man concerned about your weight and think Wegovy might be an option, the first step is to book an appointment with your GP or check your eliblity here.

  1. Be Prepared: Know your current weight, height (to calculate your BMI), and be ready to discuss any related health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes.
  2. Review History: Be prepared to detail your previous efforts at weight loss, including diets and exercise programmes you have tried.
  3. Ask for Referral: If you meet the criteria, ask your GP about a referral to a local Tier 3 or Tier 4 specialist weight management service. This referral is the crucial step for accessing Wegovy on the NHS.

Ultimately, whether you are male or female, Wegovy is a powerful tool to be used within a larger, comprehensive plan for health and weight management, and it always requires careful medical supervision.

References:

Department of Health and Social Care. (2023, September 4). Accessing Wegovy for weight loss: Everything you need to know. GOV.UK. https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2023/09/04/accessing-wegovy-for-weight-loss-everything-you-need-to-know/

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). (2023). Wegovy 2.4 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen: Summary of product characteristics. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wegovy-semaglutide-product-information

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2023, March). Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity (TA875). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta875

Novo Nordisk. (2023). Wegovy (semaglutide) injection: Prescribing information. https://www.novonordisk.co.uk/products/wegovy.html

Wilding, J. P. H., Batterham, R. L., Davies, M., Van Gaal, L. F., Kandler, K., Konakli, K., Lingvay, I., McGowan, B. M., Rosenstock, J., Tran, M. T., Wadden, T. A., & Kushner, R. F. (2021). Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11), 989–1002. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183

National Health Service (NHS). (2024). Who can take weight loss injections and pills. NHS.UK. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/weight-loss-medicines/who-can-take-weight-loss-injections/

World Health Organization. (2022). Obesity and overweight: Key facts. WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight

Public Health England. (2020). Adult obesity: Patterns and trends. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-obesity-patterns-and-trends

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Weight Loss Tailored to You

Am I Eligible?

Can Men Use Wegovy? A Guide to Eligibility

By Dr Amit Singh

The buzz around Wegovy (semaglutide injection) for weight loss has been enormous since its UK launch in 2023. One of the most common questions we get is whether this treatment is specifically for women or if men can take Wegovy too.

The short answer is yes, men are absolutely eligible for Wegovy, provided they meet the appropriate clinical criteria. When it comes to effective weight management, the medication's mechanism of action - mimicking a natural appetite-regulating hormone - doesn't discriminate based on gender.

The Key Eligibility Criteria

Wegovy is licensed by the MHRA as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management (including weight loss and weight maintenance) in adults :

  • Age: You must be an adult (18 years or over).
  • Body Mass Index (BMI): You need to have a BMI in one of the following categories:
    • A BMI of 35 or more (classified as severe obesity).
    • A BMI of 30 to 34.9 (classified as obesity) and at least one weight-related comorbidity (like Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or obstructive sleep apnoea).
    • Note: Slightly lower BMI thresholds (27.5 kg/m² to 32.4 kg/m²) apply for people from certain ethnic minority groups (e.g., Asian, Chinese, Black African, or African-Caribbean).

Important Takeaway: The eligibility focuses on clinical indicators like BMI and related health conditions, not gender.

Why the Focus is on BMI and Comorbidities

Wegovy is licensed and recommended for adults who have a health-related need for significant weight loss. It's not a cosmetic drug; it's a serious medical treatment for the disease of obesity.

The reason the NHS has strict guidelines is to ensure the medication is given to those who will benefit most and who have the highest clinical need, particularly given its current limited availability and the necessity of prescribing it alongside a comprehensive lifestyle programme.

If you're a man who meets the criteria outlined above, your doctor or specialist team will assess you for suitability, taking into account your full medical history and current medications.

What to Discuss with Your Provider

If you're a man concerned about your weight and think Wegovy might be an option, the first step is to book an appointment with your GP or check your eliblity here.

  1. Be Prepared: Know your current weight, height (to calculate your BMI), and be ready to discuss any related health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes.
  2. Review History: Be prepared to detail your previous efforts at weight loss, including diets and exercise programmes you have tried.
  3. Ask for Referral: If you meet the criteria, ask your GP about a referral to a local Tier 3 or Tier 4 specialist weight management service. This referral is the crucial step for accessing Wegovy on the NHS.

Ultimately, whether you are male or female, Wegovy is a powerful tool to be used within a larger, comprehensive plan for health and weight management, and it always requires careful medical supervision.

References:

Department of Health and Social Care. (2023, September 4). Accessing Wegovy for weight loss: Everything you need to know. GOV.UK. https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2023/09/04/accessing-wegovy-for-weight-loss-everything-you-need-to-know/

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). (2023). Wegovy 2.4 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen: Summary of product characteristics. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wegovy-semaglutide-product-information

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2023, March). Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity (TA875). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta875

Novo Nordisk. (2023). Wegovy (semaglutide) injection: Prescribing information. https://www.novonordisk.co.uk/products/wegovy.html

Wilding, J. P. H., Batterham, R. L., Davies, M., Van Gaal, L. F., Kandler, K., Konakli, K., Lingvay, I., McGowan, B. M., Rosenstock, J., Tran, M. T., Wadden, T. A., & Kushner, R. F. (2021). Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11), 989–1002. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183

National Health Service (NHS). (2024). Who can take weight loss injections and pills. NHS.UK. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/weight-loss-medicines/who-can-take-weight-loss-injections/

World Health Organization. (2022). Obesity and overweight: Key facts. WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight

Public Health England. (2020). Adult obesity: Patterns and trends. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-obesity-patterns-and-trends

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The content on the HeMed blog is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. While HeMed provides professional weight loss services and strives to ensure the information shared is accurate and up to date, we make no representations or guarantees as to its accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. This content should not be taken as personal medical advice or a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. Always speak with your doctor or licensed medical professional about your individual health or medical needs before starting any new treatment or programme. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this site.  HeMed is not responsible for any actions you may take based on the information provided in this blog.
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