Topics: Health, Mounjaro, Weight loss, Sex and Relationships
An expert has explained why GLP-1 drugs like Mounjaro can affect your libido - and how you should approach this with your partner.
Mounjaro is approved by the FDA for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but is sometimes prescribed off label for weight loss. Other GLP-1 drugs include Ozempic and Wegovy.
Some people taking these types of drugs have seen their bedroom activities starting to suffer.
One such couple appeared on Good Morning America to reveal what happened after Vincent Hsu, a doctor, started taking Mounjaro.
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"My sex drive decreased. Our intimacy has been very strong, historically, and when you notice it's beginning to drop, it is concerning," he said.
He recalled why he started taking the jabs: "At my heaviest, which was after my residency training, I was around 215lb, and I found out I was diabetic."
He was then prescribed Mounjaro to control his diabetes and improve his health.
As well as managing his health condition, Vincent also dropped to his lowest weight of 125lb, and also found a love of running.
His wife Grace explained: "The joke used to be how running usually increases your endorphins and increases your desires, but then I was like 'Wait a second, you're running more now but it's not like it used to be [in the bedroom]."
GLP-1 medications all list possible side effects such as nausea, stomach pains and mood changes.
Some small studies claim there could be a drop in libido, while others claim there is no change or even an increase in sexual activity.
Dr Veronica Johnson is an obesity medicine expert, and explained what could be happening.
She said: "There's some anti-inflammatory components of GLP-1 that we could possibly see in this setting with patients who have sexual dysfunction, but again I think it's too soon to say."
Some experts say it may be the lifestyle changes which come with the weight loss which could be impacting sex lives, rather than the medication itself.
Dr Tiffanie Henry is a psychotherapist and relationship coach, told GMA: "Any type of weight changes can absolutely impact the intimate relationship, the sexual relationship, the relationship as a whole.
"A lot of times that is brought about indirectly by changes in our level of confidence, changes in our level of comfort, changes in our level of energy, stamina, desire."
So what can help?
Dr Henry recommends: "Open communication! Letting your partner in on the process, the entire journey.
"If you're starting something like a new weight loss plan or GLP-1, that your partner is invested in all aspects of that and discuss changes all along that process."
Following advice from his doctor, and with Grace's support, Vincent started to introduce weight training into his daily routine as well as running, and started to put on muscle.
It was also recommended that he space out the doses of Mounjaro.
He revealed: "I think I'm in a much better spot physically and also the intimacy in our sex life has improved."
UNILAD has contacted Eli Lilly for comment
