Why 'Ozempic sex' has emerged as a side-effect of the drug as people share their experiences

As the side effects of taking GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic continue to come to light, users are discussing all the ways they've been impacted, from their skin to their sex drive. When it comes to the latter, there are a few reasons behind it.

A number of Reddit users on the r/Ozempic thread have admitted their libido changed after they started taking the medication, which is intended to be used by people with type two diabetes to help lower their blood sugar levels, but has been adopted by many as an aid to weight loss.

Some users claimed they'd completely lost the desire to have sex after starting Ozempic, with one writing: "It's like [my sex drive] has totally just quit and left."

"Mine has left the building. I miss it!" another user wrote.

On the flip side, other users reported an improvement to their libido, with one person admitting they'd previously gone 'years without any desire at all'.

Why might you lose your sex drive on Ozempic?

Ozempic users have reported both an increase and drop in sex drive (Getty Stock Photos)

Though there has not yet been much research into the impact of GLP-1 medications on sex drive, the reactions from users indicate there's something going on.

To start with, it's worth bearing in mind that losing weight quickly can have an impact on your hormones, potentially causing an imbalance which may affect your body's response to sexual stimulation.

Another reason for a loss in sex drive may be down to Ozempic's work to help reduce appetite, and therefore reduce the amount of calories the user is eating. If you're not eating as much, you may also notice a drop in energy levels and therefore struggle to want to get physical in the bedroom.

And while losing weight might be the ultimate goal for people taking Ozempic, it does come with other side effects which may knock your ability to feel sexy, for example causing bloating or nausea.

Speaking to Wired about how Ozempic may impact libido, Stephanie Faubion, director of the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Women’s Health, said: “When you think about it, it lowers drive, period. It lowers drive to eat. It lowers drive to drink alcohol, and it may actually reduce drive to have sex. I think that jury is still out.”

How might Ozempic improve your sex drive?

Ozempic may lead to feelings of bloating of nausea (Steve Christo - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Though the jury is indeed still out on the ways Ozempic impacts libido, there a few theories behind why some users have noticed an increase.

First off, people who are obese show higher rates of sexual dysfunction, according to David B. Sarwer, director of the Center for Obesity Research and Education at Temple University’s College of Public Health.

Conditions that are often associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, can damage the blood vessels and create blood flow problems which, in turn, can lead to vaginal dryness or erectile dysfunction.

Sarwer told Wired: “The heavier people are, the more likely it is that they have a dysfunction."

People who are overweight are also more likely to have sleep disorders which impact the deep stages of sleep - the stage during which testosterone is produced.

Low testosterone can be a cause of low sex drive - so losing weight may lead to better sleep, and therefore an increase in testosterone production and, consequently, a boost in sex drive.

More obvious reasons for a boost in sex drive on Ozempic may come from increased confidence the user may experience after losing weight, and an increased ability to be physical between the sheets.

One Ozempic user told Wired: “If I’m on top, and I have weight resting on my knees or hips, it doesn’t hurt as much. If I’m on all fours, my wrists don’t hurt from holding myself up, which makes everything better.”

Why do different people react differently to Ozempic?

Increased confidence may be a reason for a libido boost (Getty Stock Photo)

In short, it comes down to the individual. Your hormones, previous libido levels and biology in general may all have a part to play.

Dr. James Simon, a reproductive endocrinologist, OBGYN and clinical professor at George Washington University, explained simply to The Wall Street Journal: "These drugs do work in the same places that pleasure and sexual interest are located in the human brain—male and female."

What has Ozempic said about impacts on sex drive?

In a statement to UNILAD, Novo Nordisk, which manufactures Ozempic, said: "Patient safety is of the utmost importance to Novo Nordisk, and we recommend patients take these medications for their approved indications and under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

"We continuously collect safety data on our marketed GLP-1 medicines and work closely with the authorities to ensure patient safety. As part of this work, we continue to monitor reports of adverse drug reactions through routine pharmacovigilance.

"We recommend that any patient experiencing side effects while taking GLP-1 RA medicines, including Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide injection), report them to their healthcare provider and via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme."