If you’re among the millions using GLP‑1 medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro, or Wegovy, chances are you’ve heard about boosted weight loss or better blood sugar control. But a surprising—and for some troubling—trend is emerging across Reddit forums, clinics, and daily conversations: significant changes in sex drive. For some users, intimacy has plummeted; for others, desire is surging. Welcome to the world of “Ozempic sex.”

It started innocuously enough: a user on r/Ozempic wrote, “I’ve lost 30 lbs, feel great… but my sex drive has disappeared. I can’t even think about it without feeling nauseous.” Others echoed the sentiment:

“It’s like my libido just left the building.”, “I miss feeling sexy again.”

These stories sparked heated discussions. What once was thought to be an unlikely side effect suddenly felt widespread. Some users, however, wrote about renewed confidence, improved energy, and even rekindled intimacy—complete opposite experiences that left everyone searching for answers.

What Are the Biological Factors of 'Ozempic Sex'?

Appetite suppression is a well-known effect of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, but what’s less discussed is how these medications impact brain chemistry. These drugs target the brain’s appetite centers, but they also influence pathways tied to dopamine—the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation and pleasure, including sexual desire. When dopamine levels drop, libido often follows. Add to this the hormonal shifts that come with rapid weight loss—fat cells play a critical role in producing estrogen and testosterone, both of which are essential for sexual function.

As body fat drops quickly, these hormone levels can dip, taking sexual desire with them. On top of that, the physical side effects of Ozempic—nausea, bloating, and stomach discomfort—make intimacy less appealing. Plus, with reduced calorie intake and a slower metabolism, many users report feeling fatigued, mentally drained, and lacking the physical energy for sex.

Not everyone experiences a drop in libido while taking GLP-1 medications. For some, the opposite happens. As these drugs help reduce weight and improve insulin sensitivity, hormone levels such as testosterone and estrogen can begin to normalize, often leading to a renewed interest in sex. This hormone rebalancing is one of the most commonly reported reasons for an increase in libido. Additionally, shedding pounds tends to boost confidence and body image. One Reddit user even shared that they hadn’t felt sexual energy in years—until Ozempic helped them get their spark back.

There’s also a physiological factor at play: weight loss and better blood sugar control often improve cardiovascular health, which means better blood flow. This can enhance arousal and responsiveness, particularly in men, but also in women. That said, the hard science on sex drive and GLP‑1 medications is still emerging. A modest study in the International Journal of Impotence Research found men aged 18 to 50 taking semaglutide had higher odds of developing erectile dysfunction and low testosterone. However, other studies paint a different picture. For example, some trials involving men with metabolic hypogonadism found that sexual function actually improved with GLP-1 medications like liraglutide.

Meanwhile, a study in eBioMedicine showed no testosterone changes among healthy men using dulaglutide. Results depend on each person’s metabolism, genetics, health status, and dosage. Several factors explain the variation:

Individual hormone baselines: Starting hormone levels shape whether changes help or harm libido.

Rate of weight loss: Gradual vs. rapid drops impact hormone stability.

Side effect burden: Heavy digestive or energy-side effects discourage sex.

Mental state: Stress, anxiety, and altered body image all play a role.

Dosage and drug type: Medication strength and GLP‑1 agent influence outcomes.

How Weight Loss Drugs Impact Relationships?

The original Reddit poster wrote, “My sex life is practically non‑existent now, and it’s putting strains on our relationship.” That strain is real. When physical intimacy fades, and no emotional cues fill the gap, long-term relationships can quietly erode. For those experiencing a drop in libido, honest conversations—whether with a partner or a therapist—can be a powerful first step. Medical health providers may also suggest adjusting the GLP‑1 dose, optimizing nutrition to better support hormonal health, or finding calmer windows to schedule intimacy when stress is lower. And if side effects persist, exploring alternative weight loss methods like plant-based eating, mindfulness, or exercise-led strategies might offer better balance without compromising emotional connection.

If Using Ozempic Should You Be Worried?

If you’re on Ozempic—or considering it—and notice changes in your sex drive, don’t ignore it. Bring it up with your healthcare provider. Ask about checking hormone levels, including testosterone and estrogen, which may be impacted by weight loss or medication. It’s also worth discussing whether your dosage needs adjustment or if another GLP-1 medication might be a better fit. Side effects like nausea, fatigue, or mood changes can influence libido, so managing those is key.

A more holistic approach—one that includes balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and mental health support—can help restore your overall well-being. Sex drive may not get much attention in clinical trials, but patients are speaking up, and doctors are starting to listen. It’s no longer just about what a medication does to your body, but how it affects your entire life.

Ozempic hype often focuses on weight loss and diabetes reversal. But like any medication, it brings side effects—some well-studied, others just emerging. “Ozempic sex” highlights how gendered, personal, and underexplored side issues can be.

Large-scale pharmacovigilance reviews are needed, but until then, real-world user reports remain critical. Whether libido dips or climbs, sharing experiences online—and with healthcare providers—creates data that helps everyone.

Ozempic and its peers offer undeniable benefits: better metabolic control, cardiovascular gains, and weight loss success. But they’re not one-size-fits-all. If intimate wellness begins to stray, don’t write it off as part of the weight-loss journey—address it.

Your relationship, sexual health, and happiness matter just as much as body measurements or A1c numbers. The new frontier in GLP‑1 therapy isn’t just pills—it’s the full spectrum of human experience. And in that equation, sex matters too.

An early sign of dementia can sometimes look like a common winter-related issue. When this symptom appears along with other warning signals, it may be wise to speak to a doctor. Dementia is a syndrome marked by a collection of related symptoms that point to a gradual decline in brain function. Over time, this can affect memory, behaviour, thinking, and even movement. In its early phase, however, dementia often shows up through subtle changes that are easy to overlook or mistake for something less serious.

This Common Cold Like Symptom Might Actually Be An Early Sign of Dementia

Dementia UK notes that one possible early indicator of dementia is “low mood, anxiety or depression”. Its specialists explain: “In the early stages of dementia, people often begin to notice symptoms that interfere with day-to-day life.” The difficulty is that low mood or depression can also be linked to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression that tends to appear during winter and ease as the days become longer and brighter.

Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

The NHS lists the following possible symptoms of SAD:

• Low mood
• Loss of interest in activities you usually enjoy
• Feelings of guilt, hopelessness or worthlessness
• Feeling restless, tense or easily irritated
• Problems with concentration
• Increased appetite and eating more than usual
• Feeling very tired and sleeping more than usual
• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm

Dementia Early Symptoms

• Problems with memory and concentration
• Difficulties with language and communication, such as struggling to find words or follow conversations
• Difficulties with planning, problem-solving and making decisions
• Getting lost in familiar places because of problems with orientation and reduced ability to recognise usual cues, such as signs or landmarks
• Changes in behaviour and personality, such as becoming more withdrawn or less patient

How Early Symptoms May Differ Between Dementia Types

The organisation explains: “A person experiencing early symptoms of dementia may notice these changes themselves, or they may be picked up first by family members, friends or colleagues. Memory problems are not always obvious in the early stages of some types of dementia, such as frontotemporal dementia, where changes in behaviour and personality may appear first.

“People with young onset dementia, where symptoms begin before the age of 65, are also less likely to have memory loss as an early symptom.”

Emotional Changes Linked To Specific Forms Of Dementia

The charity also points out that emotional changes can be linked to two specific types of dementia. In vascular dementia, a person may experience “changes in mood, behaviour and personality”, while Lewy body dementia can cause “mood changes, including anxiety and depression”.

Dementia: Why These Symptoms Can Be Hard To Identify

That said, it is often difficult to know at first whether dementia is the cause of these warning signs. Dementia UK advises: “Many symptoms associated with dementia can also be caused by other physical or mental health conditions, such as thyroid disorders, menopause, vitamin B12 deficiency, depression, anxiety, work-related stress or relationship difficulties.

“This means that experiencing symptoms linked to dementia does not automatically mean someone has the condition. However, if you or someone close to you is showing signs or symptoms of dementia, it is important to visit a GP to understand what might be causing them.”

When To Seek Medical Advice

If you or someone you know is showing symptoms that resemble dementia, seeking advice from your GP is an important first step.

Gonorrhea poses a far more serious challenge than many realise. Over the years, doctors treating the infection have seen their treatment choices steadily shrink. The bacteria responsible, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, has repeatedly adapted to antibiotics, rendering many once-reliable drugs ineffective. As a result, clinicians have been forced to depend heavily on a single injectable medication, a situation that has raised growing concern.

That dependence is becoming increasingly risky. Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that reported cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis have climbed by nearly 90% since 2004. In 2023 alone, the country recorded more than 2.4 million cases of sexually transmitted infections.

FDA Clears First New Gonorrhea Drug In 30 Years

This month, however, marked a significant shift. The US Food and Drug Administration approved two new oral antibiotics to treat gonorrhea: zoliflodacin and gepotidacin. These approvals represent the first entirely new gonorrhea treatments in more than three decades.

“These approvals mark a significant milestone for treatment options for patients with uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhea,” said Dr Adam Sherwat of the FDA in an official statement.

Why Gonorrhea Has Become Harder to Treat

If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to serious complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and in rare cases, infections that spread to the joints or bloodstream, as per Cleveland Clinic. Many people experience no symptoms at all, allowing the infection to spread quietly. Despite years of research, there is still no licensed vaccine, leaving antibiotics as the primary line of defence.

What the FDA’s Decision Changes

The newly approved treatments offer a fresh sense of hope. Zoliflodacin, developed by the nonprofit Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership in collaboration with Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics, is designed as a single-dose oral medication. Gepotidacin, developed by GSK, is taken in two doses and is also approved for treating certain urinary tract infections.

Both medicines eliminate the need for injections, a shift that could make treatment simpler and more accessible, particularly in settings where access to clinics is limited.

FDA Clears First New Gonorrhea Drug: How the Two New Medicines Work

As per Medscape, clinical trial results for both drugs have been encouraging. Zoliflodacin was tested in a large international study involving more than 900 participants across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the US. The drug successfully cured about 90.9% of patients, a rate comparable to the 96.2% success rate of the current injectable standard. Most reported side effects were mild.

Gepotidacin showed similarly strong results in a separate Phase 3 trial that included around 600 patients from six countries. The cure rate reached 92.6%. Some participants reported digestive issues, but these effects were generally described as mild.

What the Trial Results Show

Importantly, both medications were effective against strains of gonorrhea that no longer respond to older antibiotics. That said, public health experts stress that these drugs are not a permanent solution.

“Bacteria are smart. They can pass resistant mechanisms between each other,” said Dr Manica Balasegaram of the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership, speaking to CNN.

Why Experts Say Caution Is Still Needed

Several uncertainties remain. Neither drug has yet shown strong effectiveness against throat infections, known as pharyngeal gonorrhea, which are more difficult to detect and treat. There is also ongoing debate about how best to use the new medications. Some experts argue they should be reserved as last-line treatments, while others believe earlier use could help slow resistance.

Dr Tereza Kasaeva of the World Health Organization described the approvals as “an important and timely development” amid rising global infection rates and limited treatment options, according to The Guardian.

For now, the new drugs provide much-needed breathing room. Whether that progress holds will depend on careful prescribing and close monitoring of how resistance evolves.

The NHS has shared important guidance on its website for anyone prescribed lansoprazole, especially those taking it for three months or longer. The health service’s site provides trusted, evidence-based advice on many medications and health conditions, helping patients make informed decisions about their treatment.

What Is Lansoprazole And How Is It Used?

Lansoprazole is a commonly prescribed medicine in the UK, belonging to a group called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs make up a large portion of prescriptions dispensed in England. Lansoprazole works by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach and is used to treat and prevent various acid-related conditions, as per NHS.

There are four other PPIs similar to lansoprazole: omeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, and rabeprazole. These medicines lower stomach acid in the same way and generally have similar effects and side effects. Doctors may prescribe a different PPI if lansoprazole is not working as expected or if side effects occur.

People taking lansoprazole often notice improvements in two to three days, though it may take up to four weeks for full effect, so some symptoms can continue during this period.

How Long Should Lansoprazole Be Taken?

The duration of lansoprazole treatment depends on the condition being treated. It is usually advised to take the lowest effective dose for the shortest period to prevent long-term side effects. Some people take lansoprazole for extended periods, sometimes even years, but it should always be under regular supervision by a doctor because of potential risks.

Lansoprazole: What Is The NHS Warning About?

The NHS notes that taking lansoprazole for more than three months can reduce magnesium levels in the blood. Low magnesium may cause fatigue, confusion, dizziness, muscle twitches, shakiness, and irregular heartbeats. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should consult their doctor.

Magnesium is vital for over 300 functions in the body, including nerve and muscle activity (including the heart), bone health, energy production, blood sugar regulation, and blood pressure control. Low magnesium can lead to muscle cramps, tiredness, irregular heart rhythms, and long-term problems like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and weakened bones. It also affects cellular functions and the body’s electrolyte balance.

Using lansoprazole for more than a year may raise the risk of side effects such as bone fractures, gut infections, and vitamin B12 deficiency. Symptoms of B12 deficiency include extreme fatigue, a sore or red tongue, mouth ulcers, and pins-and-needles sensations. Anyone noticing these signs or taking lansoprazole for extended periods should schedule regular check-ups.

The NHS advises: “If you take lansoprazole for more than a year, your doctor will monitor your health to determine whether you should continue treatment. It is unclear if lansoprazole becomes less effective over time. If you feel it is no longer helping, speak to your doctor.”

Lansoprazole: Medication Interactions to Know

Patients should inform their doctor of all other medications, vitamins, or supplements they are taking. Lansoprazole can interact with drugs like warfarin, digoxin, and certain HIV medications. Antacids such as Gaviscon should not be taken within two hours of lansoprazole. Herbal remedies like St John’s wort should also be avoided while on this medication.

Seek urgent medical attention or call emergency services if you experience severe symptoms, including allergic reactions (swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing), worsening stomach pain, severe or persistent diarrhoea, or signs of low magnesium, such as muscle spasms, irregular heartbeat, or confusion.

Does Long-Term Lansoprazole Use Increase Stomach Cancer Risk?

The NHS notes that there is some evidence suggesting a very small increased risk of stomach cancer for people taking acid-reducing medicines, including PPIs like lansoprazole and H2 blockers, especially for more than three years. However, larger studies are needed to confirm a direct link.

PPIs, like any medicine, can have side effects, so it is recommended to use them for the shortest effective period. Anyone noticing potential signs of stomach cancer—difficulty swallowing, vomiting, feeling full quickly, or unexplained weight loss—should speak to their doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions about medications, side effects, or health conditions. Do not stop or adjust your prescribed treatment without medical guidance.