Credits: Canva
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.
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.
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 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.
(Credit-Canva)
Infertility impacts millions across the globe, touching both men and women alike. According to the World Health Organization, around 17.5% of the global population, roughly one in six people, experience fertility challenges. This condition can significantly reduce or even prevent natural conception.
Yet, despite its prevalence, infertility remains clouded by myths and misconceptions, many of which unfairly place the blame solely on women. Seeking to debunk these long-held beliefs, Dr. Holly Miller, an American Board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, took to Instagram to share three important truths every woman should know about fertility.
With the help of modern medicine and medical interventions like IVF, fertility treatment can help people boost their chances of reproducing.
It’s important to understand that infertility affects both partners — it’s not solely a woman’s issue. Blaming only the woman is both unfair and inaccurate. In fact, experts find that the causes of infertility are almost evenly split between men and women.
Roughly one-third of infertility cases are linked to the woman, another third to the man, and the remaining third result from issues affecting both partners — or from causes that doctors are unable to clearly identify.
To identify the cause of infertility, both partners should undergo testing simultaneously. For men, a semen analysis — a quick and straightforward test — is often the easiest and most informative first step.
Most couples automatically try to conceive for a full 12 months before they think about seeing a fertility doctor. However, the doctor emphasizes that the woman's age is the single most important factor that affects the chances of successful treatment.
If you are under 35 years old: You can safely try for a full 12 months of regular, unprotected sex before seeking a specialist.
If you are 35 or older: You should contact a specialist after only 6 months of trying without success.
If you are 40 or older: You need to see a specialist right away—as quickly as you possibly can.
The doctor explains that after age 35, the woman's egg supply starts to decline more quickly. Time is essential, so couples should strongly ask their doctors for an early referral.
When a couple is diagnosed with "unexplained infertility," which happens in about 10% to 20% of cases, it means the basic first tests did not find a clear reason. This can be upsetting, but it does not mean you can never have children. In the doctor's experience, the term "unexplained" often means there are hidden problems, such as:
(Credit-Canva)
In today's corporate world, desk jobs have become the order of the day and so are the health problems associated with them. Endless typing, long hours of sitting, and poor posture are silently taking their toll on young professionals who spend most of their day glued to screens. Many don't realize that their daily work habits could trigger unexpected medical conditions.
Such a growing concern was once highlighted by Hyderabad-based neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, who recently shared a case on X. He wrote about one such case of Riya (name changed), a 25-year-old software engineer who developed a sharp, burning pain in her elbow-a pain which began as a minor ache while typing and gradually became so severe that even lifting a teacup felt unbearable.
Riya tried everything she could think of: Rest, pain relief balms, painkillers, even switching hands while using her computer, but the pain refused to fade. When she finally decided to visit the doctor, her symptoms immediately pointed to something unexpected: Tennis elbow. The diagnosis came as a surprise, considering she had never even held a tennis racket. On examination, Dr Sudhir Kumar found the tell-tale signs of the condition, medically known as lateral epicondylitis — tenderness along the outer elbow and pain when she tried to extend her wrist. He explained that the culprit wasn’t a sport, but repetitive strain from long hours at the computer — a problem increasingly common among desk workers.
The Mayo Clinic describes tennis elbow, medically termed lateral epicondylitis, as a painful condition resulting from the overuse of muscles and tendons in the forearm. It develops where these tissues are repeatedly strained by similar wrist and arm movements, leading to tiny tears and inflammation near the elbow.
The name is misleading, and you don't have to be an athlete to get tennis elbow. As a matter of fact, most people who develop it never have used a racket. It's common for the condition to strike people in jobs that require repetitive motions: plumbers, carpenters, painters, butchers, and yes, office workers who spend hours typing or using a mouse.
The pain generally arises on the outside of the elbow, precisely at that bony prominence to which the muscles of the forearm attach. For some, the discomfort may extend into the forearm or even the wrist, making most activities quite arduous.
Once the diagnosis was confirmed, Dr Sudhir Kumar focused on addressing the underlying cause — repetitive stress and poor workstation ergonomics. The holistic treatment for Riya included the following:
Employing a counterforce brace-a tennis elbow strap-to reduce strain in daily activities. By her six-week follow-up, Riya’s pain had completely resolved. Her grip strength was back, and she could type, lift, and exercise without discomfort. Three months later, she was symptom-free — and far more aware of how small ergonomic changes can make a big difference.
(Credit-Canva)
Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths, however, a recent survey showed that most people don’t know this vital fact about prostate cancer symptoms.
Prostate cancer is a serious illness in the US, affecting over 300,000 men each year and causing more than 35,000 deaths, according American Cancer Society. This makes it the second-most deadly cancer for men. If doctors detect the disease early, it is treatable. However, patients usually don't notice any signs of the disease in its beginning stages. Due to this lack of symptoms, checking for the disease is extremely important.
A recent survey of 1,004 U.S. adults, commissioned by the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, aimed to gauge public knowledge of the disease. The findings highlight a critical need for better education.
The results showed that most people, 80% of those surveyed, are unaware that early prostate cancer usually has no physical symptoms. One health specialist noted that it's crucial for everyone to understand that this cancer causes no symptoms until it has become advanced. The survey also revealed other gaps in knowledge:
The fact that prostate cancer often begins without symptoms is the main reason doctors worry.
In its early phase, the cancer is small and contained within the prostate gland. It doesn't push on or block any other body parts, so it doesn't cause pain or discomfort. Because the cancer is deep inside the body, it's hard to tell if someone has it without special tests.
Because men feel fine, they may wrongly believe they aren't at risk. This feeling of being safe often makes men hesitant to get screened. Since there are no symptoms to look for, screening tests, usually a simple blood test or a physical exam, are the best way to find the cancer early.
Even though most men with early prostate cancer feel completely normal, there are certain signs that might appear if the disease is more advanced. These symptoms include:
According to American Cancer Society, health organizations advise men to talk with their doctors about getting checked for prostate cancer starting at certain ages, depending on their personal risk.
Men who have no special risk factors.
Men who are African American or who have a father or brother who was diagnosed before age 65.
Men who have more than one close relative (father or brother) diagnosed at an early age. There is no one-size-fits-all advice for screening. Men should always speak to their doctor about their own risk and discuss the pros and cons of testing. Since there are no early warning signs, talking to a doctor about screening is described as "critical" and a simple process that could potentially save a man's life.
© 2024 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited