How to avoid 'Ozempic Butt' as GLP-1 users complain about uncomfortable side effect

People have been left wringing their hands over an unexpected side effect that some people experience after taking GLP-1 medication.

Initially licensed for the treatment of diabetes, GLP-1 drugs also create a feeling of fullness, which when combined with diet and exercise can be very helpful in weight loss.

However, losing weight rapidly can have some side effects on the body that someone may not have anticipated.

When you gain weight, it's likely that it happens over a slightly longer period rather than in a matter of days.

Over time, this has an impact on your body, which accommodates the weight that you're now carrying.

That might include your skin growing as you gain weight, so when you lose the weight after taking a GLP-1 drug, then there might be a side effect on certain parts of your body.

The medication was initially licensed for diabetes but can also assist with weight loss (Tatsiana Volkava/Getty)

And it's this phenomenon in particular which has led to some people coming up with the phrase 'Ozempic Butt', though it's not unique to any one GLP-1 medication.

In fact, Cleveland Clinic explained that this is not a formal diagnosis or health condition or even connected specifically to GLP-1 medication, but is a part of the process of losing weight.

You may notice that your bum is looking a bit more saggy, smaller, or has changed shape.

Dr W. Scott Butsch specializes in weight loss, and explained: “The public term ‘Ozempic butt’ may be a result of what we see with weight loss in general.

“When somebody loses weight - whether that’s with diet changes, an increase in physical activity, medication or bariatric surgery - we know there’s a reduction in fat mass, as well as a reduction in muscle mass. Your body doesn’t need to carry that previous weight, so there’s a shrinking of the muscle.”

Your skin also has to cover a smaller surface area, so you may find that you have excess skin on various parts of the body, such as the arms, tummy, and buttocks.

The medications are hugely popular (David Petrus Ibars/Getty)

So how can you avoid it?

Cleveland Clinic recommends that one way is to takes thing slow with weight loss, which means that your body has more time to adapt to the change.

You can also do exercises which specifically aim to build on your glutes, which will help with toning and consistency, as well as making sure you're eating enough protein.

Drinking enough water is also important, both in general and for this as it can help to maintain the elasticity in your skin.

Some people who have been on GLP-1 medications shared their experiences with 'Ozempic Butt'.

One shared an unexpected problem they'd encountered - it was more uncomfortable sitting down with less 'cushioning'.

Taking to social media, they wrote: "Ever since I lost all the weight thanks to ozempic I have no fat on my butt. By the time I get through most of the day at the office, my butt is killing me."

They asked if anyone knew of anything they could use, adding: "I'm just trying to laugh at myself because of the absurdity!"

Another wanted to keep their bum the way it is, writing on Reddit: "Im a naturally curvy girl and have always had a bigger butt. I like my figure I just want to tone up. I just want to know if there’s anything I can do to keep a big butt. I don’t want it to stay huge but I do want to maintain my figure as much as possible."

UNILAD has approached Novo Nordisk for comment.