I was wiping the kitchen surfaces and humming to myself when I felt a pair of hands on my waist. Normally, I’d have turned to face my husband with a smile, pressing myself against him in a promise of what might come later. But now, puzzlingly, all I felt was irritation.
Within 24 hours of my first injection I lost my appetite. It was extraordinary. It was lunchtime at work, and normally I’d be trying to persuade myself to have a salad rather than a mayonnaise-packed sandwich or a pasty, but I realised I didn’t have any desire to eat. Normally medications take a bit of time to kick in, but this was less than a day. It was an exciting feeling.
That afternoon I marvelled at how different I felt. By that point I’d be heading straight for the biscuit tin, but I had no desire to do so. I was thrilled. Clearly, the weight was going to melt away, and I’d feel great about myself in no time.
Over that week I felt more and more satisfied with my decision. I’d wondered whether I might feel less energetic because I’d be eating less, but I upped my water intake substantially and woke every morning feeling refreshed ready for the day. It was fabulous.
I didn’t see Jim much that week. He’s a technical engineer and we were on opposite shifts. But then we both had the weekend off and we thought we’d go and do something nice. For us that would always culminate in sex. That’s when he went in for the cuddle in the kitchen and I realised I just couldn’t bear him touching me. I wasn’t remotely interested.
What the expert says...
Even though low sex drive isn’t listed as a side effect of Ozempic, some of those using it are reporting a reduction in libido and in sensation, writes Dr Shirin Lakhani, intimate health expert.
Ozempic (semaglutide) works by targeting the hormone GLP-1, which tells the body that it’s full and you don’t want to eat any more. But it also appears to be suppressing sexual function in some individuals.
There’s not yet any research as to how or why this is happening. Rapid weight loss can affect hormone balance, as can a restricted diet, so it could be that it’s the mechanism of action causing this effect.
Ozempic can also cause tiredness and some speculate it could be affecting other hormone pathways.
In a 2023 analysis, it was found that non-diabetic men using semaglutide had a slightly higher risk of erectile dysfunction. In women, as far as I can ascertain, the effect on libido is purely anecdotal. There’s no evidence to suggest that changes would be permanent.
It didn’t get better over the subsequent weeks. I don’t want to deny him sex - why should he have to suffer too? But I’ve been very honest with him and said that I’m not getting anything from it. God help me, but when he started kissing me I’ve even used the words, ‘Just get on with it’.
bvI respond physically - I kiss him back and I touch him - but I feel nothing. He has tried everything. And I mean everything. He has put in so much effort with massages and trying different ways to excite me. But I’m just not interested. I cannot get aroused in any way. Normally, I orgasm easily, but now there’s nothing there.
Not only has all the pleasure gone from food - I have to force myself to eat - but I don’t feel like drinking alcohol either. I’ve stopped making plans to go out with friends - or for dinner with my husband. And what’s the point of me and Jim going out together or going away if I don’t want to have sex?
I feel as though I’ve lost the pleasures that make life so rich. There’s nothing like a delicious, crisp glass of white wine, a creamy curry or the sheer sweaty pleasure of amazing sex. but I don’t enjoy any of those any more? I’m thinner, but I’m miserable. It’s Hobson’s choice.
Since this happened I’ve Googled ‘Ozempic and lost libido’, and I can see others have reported it as a side effect.
Now Jim is asking how long I’m planning on staying on the Ozempic. I’ve said, for now, I’m going to keep going. I’ve lost ten pounds and I’ve got enough for four more weeks. But I can see that more than a month like this might start to damage our marriage. And it’s too precious to risk that.
So in April I’ll stop with the weekly injections and hope that everything goes back to normal. I’m dying to put on some lovely underwear, feel sexy again with my slimmer figure, and seduce my husband as he deserves!
0 Comments