BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Popular weight loss drugs could impact sex life: Study

  • Men on semaglutide were more likely to develop erectile dysfunction: Study
  • ED was still rare, showing up in just 1.47% of study participants
  • Reddit users have also reported links between weight loss drugs and ED

Boxes of the diabetes drug Ozempic rest on a pharmacy counter on April 17, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo illustration by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

(NewsNation) — Popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy could increase men’s risk of erectile dysfunction, a recent study suggests.

Researchers from the University of Texas found that nondiabetic men on semaglutide — the active ingredient in the brand-name medications — were 4 1/2 times more likely to develop erectile dysfunction than those not taking it.

Overall, erectile dysfunction was still rare, showing up in 1.47% of the patient group versus 0.32% of the control group, according to the study.

The results are somewhat surprising, given that weight loss is typically associated with better sexual health.

More research will be needed to determine whether there’s a link between ED and popular weight loss drugs, but anecdotally, some Reddit users have noticed a connection.

“I am a 39 year old male and until I started Ozempic I did not have erectile dysfunction issues,” claimed one user. “I have been on Ozempic for 3 months. TT level dropped very fast and I am on treatment to fix it now.”

Researchers in the latest study also found that those who took semaglutide were at two times higher risk of being diagnosed with a testosterone deficiency: 1.53% versus 0.80%.

The analysis drew from a large database of patient data and included men between 18 and 50 years of age with a BMI of more than 30 who were prescribed semaglutide after June 2021.

Men who had been diagnosed with diabetes were excluded as were those with erectile dysfunction or those who had been taking drugs like Viagra.

In total, 3,094 men matched the criteria and were compared against an equal number of similar men who were not prescribed semaglutide.

The latest findings add one more variable that potential Ozempic and Wegovy users will likely consider.

Semaglutide has been linked to a host of positive benefits beyond weight loss, including improved cardiovascular health as well as reducing the risk of complications among those with chronic kidney disease.

Health

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Sunny

la

67°F Sunny Feels like 67°
Wind
7 mph SW
Humidity
45%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low near 50F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
50°F Partly cloudy. Low near 50F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Wind
6 mph NNW
Precip
10%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waxing Gibbous