By now you’ve most likely heard about GLP- 1 s , sold under trademark name such as Ozempic and Wegovy. This class of medications mimics naturally happening hormonal agents involved in cravings control and blood sugar level policy to deal with kind 2 diabetic issues and aid weight-loss initiatives. It needs to be no surprise, after that, that discussions around these popular medications have mostly centered on the range. Nonetheless, some researchers are starting to look extra carefully right into just how they might impact something maybe much more individual: our sex lives.
Presently roughly one in 5 Americans reports taking or having taken a GLP- 1, according to a current poll. As the variety of individuals using these drugs has risen, so have unscientific records concerning how they’re impacting individuals’ everyday– and yes, this includes things like satisfaction and libido. Though there hasn’t been a ton of study right into the connection between sex-related health and wellness and GLP- 1 s yet, more researchers are starting to explore prospective influences.
In a testimonial published in Obesity Pillars in March 2026, for example, scientists recommend that GLP- 1 s may influence wish by impacting brain chemistry. But exactly how precisely might these medications effect libido? And is there a method to continue to be taken part in your sex life while on a GLP- 1 We tapped specialists to find out.
GLP- 1 agonists might reduce your, cough, thirst while dialing back cravings.
To understand just how GLP- 1 s might influence libido, it helps to go through exactly how they function much more generally.
Some alternatives, like Wegovy and Ozempic, consist of semaglutide, which is a synthetic variation of a normally taking place hormonal agent, glucagon-like peptide- 1, or GLP- 1 Semaglutide binds to GLP- 1 receptors throughout the brain and body, assisting control appetite, blood sugar level, and feelings of satiety, James Simon, MD, an ob-gyn and reproductive endocrinologist and one of the scientists behind the Weight problems Columns research, tells SELF.
Other options, like Zepbound and Mounjaro, consist of a different active ingredient called tirzepatide, which resembles both GLP- 1 and a related hormone, and therefore affects the body in comparable ways to semaglutide.
On top of reporting reduced hunger and boosted satiation, a variety of clients have actually likewise found that these weight-loss drugs quiet what they call “food noise.” But as it turns out, the very same parts of the brain that manage appetite are likewise responsible for other reward-seeking actions, according to Dr. Simon. He says this could help explain why taking GLP- 1 s may have the supporting effect of lowering appetite for another enjoyable activity: sex.
