A sexpert has dished out their advice for anyone struggling with their libido after taking weight loss drugs.
With the number of people turning to weight loss drugs climbing, more and more reported side effects are beginning to pop up.
It's no secret that GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy, the former of which is approved to treat type 2 diabetes rather than weight loss, are on the rise in both the UK and the US.
But with the increase in popularity comes more people turning to social media to share the way the weekly injectables have been affecting them.
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The most common side effects are gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, but we've also seen the likes of everything from hair loss to 'Ozempic face and teeth'.
And as we say, some users have even noticed a difference in their sex life, losing not only their appetite for food, but also in the bedroom.
Jason Murphy, a pharmacist at Chemist4U, told The Times: "It’s important to recognise that GLP-1s don’t just affect appetite. They influence many aspects of wellbeing, including sexual wellbeing.
"Dopamine is central to both appetite regulation and sexual desire, so altering that system could naturally change libido for some people, plus rapid weight loss and changes in metabolism may also temporarily disrupt hormone levels."
In April, the Journal of Sexual Medicine published a report of a 71-year-old woman who was prescribed liraglutide, also known by the brand name Saxenda, for weight loss and within two weeks, she could no longer achieve orgasm.
However, it is different for everyone as some people have noticed a boost in libido, while others have seen a decrease.
The Times’s sex columnist Suzi Godson has given her advice on what to do if you find your sex life taking a tumble when you start shedding the pounds.
She referenced another study, which was published in June from the Faculty of Medicine at the Suez Canal University in Egypt, which looked at 36-year-old woman who was obese and so was prescribed Mounjaro, and experienced decreased libido, genital dryness and failure to orgasm.
As per the publication, she was referred for psychosexual counselling, shown how to do pelvic floor exercises, given topical lubricants and also prescribed the antidepressant bupropion.
Thankfully, within a month, her sexual function score had increased from 14.7 to 24, so Godson advises that it might be worth 'exploring some, or all, of these options as a way to boost sexual appetite'.
Finally, she explained that people taking weight loss jabs could introduce strength training as the weight they lose can also include muscle mass. This can help in the bedroom as it can also temporarily increase testosterone levels, which may increase libido.
Novo Nordisk said: "Patient safety is of the utmost importance to Novo Nordisk. We continuously collect safety data on our marketed GLP-1 RA medicines and work closely with the authorities to ensure patient safety.
"We recommend patients take these medications only for their approved indications and under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Treatment decisions should be made together with a healthcare provider who can evaluate the appropriateness of using a GLP-1 based on assessment of a patient’s individual medical profile.
"We recommend that any UK patient experiencing side effects while taking GLP receptor agonists including Wegovy (semaglutide injection) or Ozempic (semaglutide injection) report them to their healthcare provider and via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/."
Tyla has contacted Eli Lilly for comment.
Topics: Ozempic, Mounjaro, Health, News, Life, Sex and Relationships
Madison Burgess