Ozempic and Sexual Side Effects: Does Ozempic Affect Your Sex Drive?

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that’s FDA approved for treating Type 2 diabetes. Another version of semaglutide, Wegovy, is approved for weight management. Both semaglutide medications can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and gas. But can Ozempic affect your sex drive? 

Here’s what you should know about Ozempic and sexual side effects.

Does Ozempic cause sexual side effects?

Sexual side effects weren’t reported during Ozempic clinical studies. But there is some evidence that Ozempic may improve sex drive (libido) and other sex-related issues for some people.

Ozempic and erectile dysfunction

One study showed that GLP-1 medications improved erectile dysfunction (ED) for men living with Type 2 diabetes. Experts believe this could be a result of improved blood flow caused by GLP-1 medications.

That being said, a more recent study found that ED is more likely for people who don’t have a diabetes diagnosis and are using Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss alone. But even in this group, the overall rate of ED was low (under 1.5%).

Ozempic and libido

Another study reviewed social media content, and found that some people reported increased sex drive with GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic. In these cases, it seems that the increased libido was connected to weight loss and better blood sugar (glucose) management caused by the medications.

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Ozempic and fertility

In addition to sex drive, studies also show that Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications may help improve both male and female fertility. In particular, Ozempic may improve fertility issues related to high blood sugar or insulin resistance.

Does Ozempic affect your hormone levels?

Ozempic affects some hormones. Specifically, it mimics the effects of the GLP-1 hormone. Ozempic also affects insulin levels (insulin is a hormone that helps regulate your body’s energy levels). But researchers don’t know much about Ozempic’s effects on sex hormones, such as estrogen or testosterone.

Some research suggests that Ozempic may increase testosterone levels in men living with both Type 2 diabetes and obesity. It isn’t clear whether this is a result of weight loss or more direct effects on the testicles.

Semaglutide may also help reduce testosterone levels and regulate the menstrual cycle in women living with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). But researchers don’t know much about whether Ozempic affects estrogen levels at this time.

Is Ozempic more or less likely to cause sexual side effects than other diabetes medications?

Diabetes medications generally help improve sex-related issues related to diabetes. So they aren’t typically known for causing unwanted sexual side effects.

That being said, Ozempic and other GLP-1 related medications seem to improve ED related to diabetes better than metformin, especially for those with a high body mass index (BMI).

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• How does Ozempic affect erectile dysfunction (ED)? Here’s what you need to know about how Ozempic may improve or worsen ED.

• What should you expect when you start taking Ozempic? One individual shared her experience with GoodRx about starting Ozempic.

• Ozempic has many possible side effects. Here is a list of 19 of them to be aware of.

For women living with diabetes and prediabetes, metformin seems to improve sex drive. Insulin, on the other hand, is associated with a greater risk of sexual problems. But there aren’t any studies available comparing GLP-1 medications to other diabetes medications when it comes to sexual side effects in women.

How can you manage sexual side effects from Ozempic?

As mentioned, it isn’t common to experience negative sexual side effects while using Ozempic. If you do experience a decreased sex drive or ED, talk to your prescriber for guidance. These issues are commonly associated with diabetes and excess weight, so it’s possible they’re unrelated to Ozempic itself. Your healthcare team can help determine the cause and the best next steps for you.

If you’re experiencing ED while receiving Ozempic, your prescriber may recommend a medication such as Viagra (sildenafil) or Cialis (tadalafil).

For women with low libido, medications such as Addyi (flibanserin) and Vyleesi (bremelanotide) can help.

Keep in mind that regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and individual or couple’s therapy can also help both men and women increase sex drive and maintain a healthy sex life. 

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Written by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

​​Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. Ulrich’s experience includes direct patient care in hospital and community pharmacies.

Edited by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Reviewed by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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