Britt Jones
‘Ozempic vulva’ is a little-known side effect that women have been speaking out about.
If you’re taking Ozempic for weight loss, there are some things that can happen to your body that you might not expect.
As a drug that’s intended to be used as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, using it for anything else isn’t recommended.
However, people have still been using the GLP-1 receptor agonist to shed their pounds after noticing the fast results it produces - though this seems to have come at an unusual cost.
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Some have admitted to suffering from ‘Ozempic vulva’.
Even though it is not a side effect that has been officially recognized by manufacturers, according to Sherry Ross, M.D., an OB-GYN in Santa Monica, there have been changes to the vulva noted by some women on Ozempic.
One user on Reddit explained their personal story and asked people for help managing pain while exercising.
They wrote of a recent visit to the gynecologist: “Turns out I’ve lost all my fat pads in my vulva! She told me my vulva is saggy and I will continue to experience pain when biking/sitting unless I have surgery or put on fillers.”
According to Dr Michael Tahrey, weight loss around the vulva is a very real thing.
His website states: “In some women who take Ozempic, the rapid weight loss that occurs throughout the body may result in visible sagging of the labia or vagina because of overall fat and volume loss.”
It adds: “This sagging is caused by loose labia loose skin in the vaginal area, wrinkles, or some combination of all three. It’s also common for rapid weight loss to cause the labia to suddenly feel out of proportion compared to how it previously felt.”
Even though there have been no surveys conducted for GLP-1 users about the vaginal and vulvar changes, Dr Ross, who spoke to Health Central, said there are many changes that can happen to the vulva and vagina after using drugs like Ozempic.
According to the health expert, these can include: discharge consistency or color, odor, less lubrication, increased vaginal infections, loss of fullness from the vulva areas, less pelvic floor strength, changes to the menstrual cycle and more.
Dr Ross said ‘the rapidity of this weight loss can cause visible skin sagging, laxity, and wrinkles throughout the body’ and that the skin doesn’t have enough time to adapt to the weight-loss changes.
She added: “All areas of the body can show visible skin-changes in response to this significant weight loss, including the lower belly, pubic mons, and inner and outer labia.”
Dr Melanie Bone, a consultant OBGYN and US medical director at gynecological health company Daye, told Newsweek that the changes to a person’s vulva can often be 'overlooked' when talking about GLP-1 side effects.
She explained: "GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic have become increasingly popular for weight loss and diabetes management.
"However, their effects on vaginal health are an important consideration that is often overlooked."
Dr Bone went on to say the medications can ‘potentially impact vaginal health in several unexpected ways’.
The gynecologist added: "Firstly, the rapid weight loss induced by GLP-1 agonists may alter hormone levels, which could affect vaginal lubrication and tissue health. Some women may experience increased vaginal dryness as a result.
"Additionally, GLP-1 agonists can cause gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. These symptoms may lead to dehydration, which could further contribute to vaginal dryness and discomfort. The changes in diet and gut microbiome associated with these medications may also indirectly impact the vaginal microbiome due to the gut-vagina axis."
There are a few ways to regain the fullness in the vulva after weight loss. This could be cosmetic, physical therapy like pelvic floor exercises, or even gaining back weight.
Dr Bone explained: "A labiaplasty might be considered for Ozempic vulva if significant labial sagging or asymmetry occurs due to the weight loss."
However, she warned that ‘labiaplasty carries risks such as infection, scarring, changes in sensation, and potential dissatisfaction with results’.
A spokesperson for Ozempic's manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, told LADbible Group: "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®▼ or Ozempic® report them to their healthcare provider and via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/."