The little-known side effect of weight loss injections that could be sabotaging your sex life.

For years, Dan* had avoided putting himself out there romantically. The 40-year-old felt self-conscious and struggled with the confidence to approach potential partners. Dating felt like an uphill battle he wasn't equipped to fight.

But after two-and-a-half years on Ozempic, everything changed — and he felt more confident in his body after the weight loss.

"I feel like I can find someone to complete my life with," he told Mamamia.

However, after starting treatment with Ozempic — a medicine approved in Australia for the management of type 2 diabetes — Dan experienced an unexpected side effect: a complete loss of libido. While some doctors may prescribe GLP-1 medications for other uses, including weight management, this is considered off-label and is not an approved indication in Australia.

While using the medication, Dan had a "friend with benefits" he saw regularly. But, due to a drop in testosterone levels, his sex drive plummeted.

Endocrinologist Dr Isobelle Smith explains that these types of medications affect areas of the brain related to appetite and reward — and that's why some patients notice changes in things like food cravings or even behaviours related to pleasure and reward-seeking.

Watch: How do drugs like Ozempic work? Post continues below.

GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic, are only approved for managing type 2 diabetes in Australia. Their use for weight loss is not approved and is considered an off-label prescription, which should only be undertaken under medical supervision.

Rapid weight loss can also cause a loss in period, vaginal dryness, and fatigue, which can also lead to a lowered sex drive.

Since starting testosterone therapy — prescribed under medical supervision — Dan noticed an improvement in his libido. He says it made a difference, "along with some other ageing-male stuff."

For some people, taking GLP-1 medications has affected more than just their appetite or weight.

On their first date, Jane* and her partner fell in love over cooking. They bonded over spices, argued over flavours, and waxed poetic over aromas.

They would go on to share many more meals in their years together; some home-cooked, but most over a restaurant candlelight.

That was before. But when Jane's doctor prescribed her a GLP-1 medication to manage her diabetes, everything changed.

Suddenly, her portions became smaller, her enthusiasm for spices and aromas waned, and candlelight dinners grew seldom.

"GLP-1 medications are essentially a synthetic version of a hormone our gut releases after we eat, called Incretins, which tells us we're full," said endocrinologist Dr Isobelle Smith, who specialises in diabetes, obesity and metabolic health, as well as osteoporosis.

GLP-1 medications, which have recently gained attention in the media, including among celebrities', stimulate insulin production in the pancreas, slow down the digestion process, and reduce appetite, which can lead to weight loss.

"Dinnertime now looks different, because I'm just not as hungry as I used to be," Jane told Mamamia. "It took me and my husband a while to adjust, to be honest, but he is the most supportive guy ever, especially considering I'm healthier than I've ever been."

While Jane found comfort in cooking, other GLP-1 medication patients have been grateful for the de-centring of food in their lives.

While some individuals may be prescribed GLP-1 medicines off-label for weight loss, these medicines are not approved for this purpose in Australia, and advertising their use for weight loss is not permitted.

"A lot of my patients tell me that they didn't realise how much 'food chatter' or 'food noise' they had (before GLP-1 medications)," said Dr Smith.

This rang true for Fran* who says she noticed a difference in food noise after a few months on the GLP-1 medication. Finally, she was able to think about her romantic life.

Located 800km away from Jane and her husband, Fran waited in a dive bar for her first date since taking GLP-1 medication.

Chewing on her fingernails, she re-opened the dating app where they had matched a week earlier.

Unfortunately, the date sucked.

"I thought being on GLP-1 medication would fix my dating life," said Fran. "I was wrong. It's as hard as ever. Not sure if it's me or the men, but we're going to go with the men."

Before GLP-1 medication, another woman named Susan* hadn't believed a relationship was even a possibility due to her body.

"Since losing weight, I've taken my first photos in over five years that I actually feel okay about," she told Mamamia.

"That gave me the confidence to post on a dating site, even though I didn't think anyone would find me attractive. To my surprise, I got a lot of matches, but meeting people in person was scary. I was afraid I might look bigger in real life."

Conquering her fear, Susan met a special someone, but that has come with new anxieties.

"I'm scared to develop intimacy. I worry that he might be repulsed by my body and the effects of my weight loss. I hate my naked body, especially the loose skin and everything that comes with it."

When Susan told the man that she had loose skin that could only be corrected through surgery, he was taken aback, but not unsupportive.

"That scared me, because I worry he might be negatively surprised when he sees the reality," she told Mamamia. "He says it doesn't matter to him, but I'm afraid that while he might feel that way now, it could matter later when we're actually intimate."

However, Jane has had a different experience since taking GLP-1 medication.

For Jane, the changes were significant. "I've never felt more healthy which, at the end of the day, is the main thing. I obviously think there is a broader problem of people taking it who don't need it, just to lose weight, and I don't support that.

"But for those with health issues like I had, it's honestly transformative."

Ozempic is included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not approved in Australia for weight loss, and any off-label use should only be undertaken under the guidance of a qualified medical professional. This article does not promote or endorse any medicine or therapy. It is intended for general information purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your doctor or other qualified health professional for personalised advice.

*Names have been changed for privacy reasons.

Feature Image: Canva