Scientists researching weight loss GLP-1 medications find they may create “challenges related to desire and sexual attraction”

The use of GLP-1 medications for weight loss has exploded since they were first approved with millions of people now benefiting from them. While clinical trials showed them to be safe, widespread usage is bringing to the public consciousness some of the side effects that were discovered during the approval process.

However, there are other side effects that have come as a surprise to many. One of those is what’s been dubbed an “Ozempic baby boom” on social media. However, on the other end of the spectrum, some people are reporting that along with losing their appetite for food, they are also losing their appetite for sex.

Users of GLP-1 weight loss drug say they’re losing their libido

The latest example making the rounds on the internet is that Retatrutide, a new drug going through clinical trials, is “ruining relationships,” reports The Guardian. This isn’t the first time that there have been complaints of a GLP-1 drug affecting sexual attraction.

Last year, a study was published that looked into the case of a woman who reported developing sexual dysfunction after using tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound that is approved by the FDA under the name Mounjaro. While the researchers said the drug may contribute to a decrease in sexual desire due to its impact on hormones and neurological pathways, “the specific process is unknown.”

Dr Naveed Asif, a GP from London General Practice, explained to The Guardian how these drugs can affect libido. He says that “from a physical perspective, GLP-1 medications affect smooth muscle activity, which can influence arousability and orgasm due to changes in blood flow to the genital area.”

Another important factor is their effect on the brain releasing dopamine in response to stimuli which may create “challenges related to desire and sexual attraction, potentially impacting overall sexual function.” These effects though could vary among different people using weight loss peptide drugs.

And then there is the effect on emotional state from a possible disruption in the body’s balance of estrogen, a key sex hormone. “Some patients reported worsening mental health, including increased depression and anxiety, which likely affects sexual function as a secondary consequence,” he explained. Asif noted that this last issue has been more pronounced among women from his observations.

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