Why some women are getting surgery after taking Ozempic as little-known side effect explained
Some women are having surgery after being on Ozempic as a result of an unexpected symptom.
Ozempic is not cleared for weight loss purposes in America and the UK. The drug is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that's aimed at treating people with type 2 diabetes.
That hasn't stopped people from using it off-label for the weight loss benefit it brings, however. A May 2024 survey found that around 38 per cent of people who have taken GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic did so primarily for weight loss instead of treating conditions like diabetes, Healthline reports.
Medications often come with a series of side effects, and one that's been widely reported on is something known as 'Ozempic vulva'.
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While this aftermath of taking the drug isn't recognized as an official side effect by manufacturers, some doctors have reported that patients have noticed a change to their private parts — their vulva (the collective term for all the external female genitalia) specifically.
"This term is being used to describe the sagging skin, weaker muscles and dryness in the vulvar region that some GLP-1 agonist users have been noticing," Forbes explains. "Some have also commented on experiencing increased vaginal discharge after starting GLP-1 agonists."
Sharing her experiences on Reddit, one woman penned (via Cosmopolitan): "I’ve lost 20 kg or 44 lbs. I’ve been really lucky, and I have no noticeable sagging skin in my tummy or my arms/legs.
"Then I went to the gynae today cause I was experiencing pain when biking and sitting for long periods. Turns out I’ve lost all my fat pads in my vulva!"
It's thought that 'Ozempic vulva', which isn't an official medical term, is a result of rapid weight loss rather than the medication itself, and the sagging skin is due to the loss of fatty tissues and pads in and around the vulva.
A cause for the reports of vaginal discharge remains unclear, however. As a result of these side effects, it's said that some women are considering 'labia puffing'.
Per the London-based practice Centre for Surgery, this procedure is a non-surgical treatment aimed at revitalising the outer genital area.
The website adds: "With time, or due to factors such as childbirth or significant weight loss, the labia majora can lose their volume, leading to a less youthful appearance."
There's also a labiaplasty where a surgeon may cut away excess tissue, sew up different parts, and/or insert filler.
A spokesperson for Ozempic's manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, has previously addressed the reports about 'Ozempic vulva'.
They 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/."
Niamh Shackleton