What Ozempic Does to Your Sex Drive (Nobody's Talking About This)
What happens when a medication designed to help you lose weight also changes what brings you pleasure?
In this solo episode, I'm doing a deep dive into what nobody's discussing about GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound) and what they do to your sex life.
These medications have been absolutely transformational for metabolic disease, obesity, and cardiovascular health. But they don't just work on your gut and pancreas, they work centrally in your brain, in your reward pathways, in your pleasure centers.
I'm sharing stories from my practice: the glamorous patient who suddenly didn't want to shop anymore. The wine connoisseur who lost interest in drinking. The foodies who can't stand restaurants. And yes, the patients whose sexual desire completely disappeared because their brain stopped experiencing reward the same way.
Highlights:
Why GLP-1 medications are actually anti-inflammatory powerhouses (and what that means for PCOS, endometriosis, even PGAD).
How these drugs modulate dopamine and serotonin the same pathways that control sexual desire.
Why improving body image doesn't always improve sexual function (the biopsychosocial model).
The emerging science on GLP-1s reducing alcohol cravings, substance use, and compulsive behaviors.
What SHBG changes mean for your free testosterone and libido.
Why your brain doesn't compartmentalize pleasure food, shopping, alcohol, and sex, all use the same reward circuits.
The informed consent conversation every doctor should be having (but isn't).
If you're on a GLP-1 medication or considering starting one, ask your doctor about how it might affect what brings you pleasure including sex. With great power comes great responsibility, and sexual health is health. Period.
