You’ve probably heard of it by now GLP-1sunder brand names such as Ozempic and Wegovy. This class of drugs mimics naturally occurring hormones involved in appetite control and blood sugar control in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and weight loss. It’s no surprise, then, that much of the conversation about these popular drugs has focused on scale. However, some scientists are beginning to take a closer look at how they can affect something perhaps even more personal: our sex lives.
Right now, it’s pretty much one in five According to a recent poll, Americans have taken or are taking GLP-1. As the number of people using these drugs has surged, so have anecdotal reports of how they affect users’ daily lives—and yes, that includes things like pleasure and sex drive. Although there hasn’t been a lot of research on the relationship between sexual health and GLP-1, more scientists are starting to look into the possible effects.
in a review published in The pillars of obesity In March 2026, for example, researchers suggest that GLP-1 affects cravings by affecting brain chemistry. But how exactly can these drugs affect sexual desire? And is there a way to still participate in your sex life while using GLP-1? We reached out to the experts to find out.
GLP-1 agonists can reduce thirst while reducing hunger.
To understand how GLP-1s can affect libido, it helps to look at how they work more broadly.
Some options, such as Wegovy and Ozempic, contain semaglutide, a synthetic version of a naturally occurring hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1. Semaglutide binds to GLP-1 receptors in the brain and body, helping to regulate appetite, blood sugar and satiety, said James Simon, MD, an obstetrician and reproductive endocrinologist and one of the researchers. The pillars of obesity study, says SELF.
Other options, such as Zepbound and Mounjaro, contain another active ingredient, tirzepatide, which mimics both GLP-1 and a related hormone, thus acting in a similar way to semaglutide.
In addition to reports of decreased appetite and satiety, many patients have also found that these weight-loss drugs quiet what they call “eating noise.” However, according to Dr. Simon, it turns out that the same parts of the brain that control appetite are also responsible for other reward-seeking behaviors. He says this may help explain why taking GLP-1 may have the side effect of reducing appetite for another pleasurable activity, sex.
