Does Semaglutide Increase Sex Drive?

Weight loss wasn’t the only thing people started talking about when GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (found in Wegovy and Ozempic) went mainstream… another question started coming up: how might semaglutide affect sex drive?

Some people report a boost in libido after starting semaglutide. Others noticed a dip, while many describe it as more nuanced.

So what’s the deal? Can a weight loss medication actually change your sex drive? Here’s what the research says (and doesn’t), what experts think might be going on, and how to support your body and your libido no matter where you are on your health journey.

Can semaglutide affect sex drive?

Yes, but not in the same way for everyone.

Semaglutide works by mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. That’s why it’s so effective for weight loss; it slows digestion, curbs cravings, and helps you feel full faster. But GLP-1 doesn’t directly control sexual desire, and semaglutide wasn’t designed with libido in mind.

Plenty of people, especially women, have shared that they notice shifts in their sex drive after starting treatment. Some feel more energized and confident, others experience a drop in desire, and a lot of people fall somewhere in between.

So what’s going on? It could be that weight loss itself is playing a role; feeling more at home in your body can boost confidence and increase desire, while changes in eating patterns or nutrition might sometimes leave you feeling less energized.

Hormonal shifts tied to weight loss could also factor in. As your insulin, estrogen, or testosterone levels adjust, your libido might follow suit.

And of course, mental health is part of the picture. Some people feel more vibrant and emotionally present on semaglutide, while others experience side effects like nausea or fatigue that naturally make intimacy less appealing.

Other potential factors include improved blood flow and energy from weight loss, which may enhance sexual function for some. Of course, side effects like nausea or digestive changes may (naturally) make intimacy less appealing at times. Some people also describe shifts in mood that may influence desire, or make it harder to “get in the mood,” even if you still enjoy intimacy once it starts.

What’s important to know is that the connection between semaglutide and sex drive hasn’t been studied in clinical trials as a primary outcome. So while personal experiences are valid and worth paying attention to, the science isn’t fully clear yet, particularly when it comes to women and libido.

Does semaglutide increase testosterone?

Here’s where it gets interesting, and where the science is still catching up.

Testosterone isn’t just a “male hormone.” People of all genders produce it, and it plays a role in sex drive, energy, and muscle mass. In women and AFAB individuals, low testosterone can lead to lower libido, fatigue, and mood changes.

Some early studies suggest that weight loss through semaglutide may be associated with improved testosterone levels, especially in people who had obesity-related testosterone suppression to begin with.

A 2025 study found that men with obesity who took semaglutide saw increases in testosterone as they lost weight. While similar studies haven’t been done in cisgender women or AFAB individuals at the same scale, experts believe the hormone-balancing effects of weight loss may extend to all genders, especially when insulin resistance is part of the picture.

The bottom line? Semaglutide might indirectly support testosterone production by improving metabolic health, but more research is needed, especially in women, to fully understand the connection.

Why sex drive is about more than just hormones

It’s tempting to look for a simple formula: hormone levels go up, libido follows. But sexual desire doesn’t work like that. It’s layered, emotional, and deeply personal.

Libido can be shaped by everything from energy levels and body image to relationship dynamics, stress, sleep, and overall mental health. For some, perimenopause or other hormonal shifts are part of the equation, too. Medications, semaglutide included, can tip the scales in either direction.

When semaglutide helps someone feel stronger, more confident, and more at ease in their body, it’s totally natural for their desire to rise. But if side effects like fatigue, nausea, or a muted mood kick in, or if food restriction starts taking a toll, that same spark might feel harder to access.

Sex drive is just as much about safety, connection, and confidence as it is about hormones.

What people are saying about semaglutide and sex drive

The verdict? Experiences vary widely. Some people say semaglutide sparked a big boost in their sex life. Others noticed their libido fade. And for many, it’s somewhere in between.

Here’s what real people are sharing:

• “I’m 23F and down 30lbs in 4 months. I feel more confident in my body, but my sexual interest has dropped. I still enjoy sex, but I’m not actively seeking it out like before. It’s like the lack of interest in food extended to everything else, including sex.”
• “Been married 12 years. We used to have sex 2–3 times a week. Now it’s once, mostly because I don’t initiate. I’ll get into it eventually, but the desire to start just isn’t there.”
• “I feel more confident with the weight loss, but also a little self-conscious because of loose skin and changes to my body. Still, my husband makes me feel sexy, and I get over the nerves quickly.”
• “My sex drive has increased. I feel like myself again; the version of me before I gained 70 pounds.”
• “The weight loss helped a lot. I’m more flexible and physically it’s just easier. Definitely opened up more positions.”
• “Started semaglutide two weeks ago and I feel like a horny teenager. Thank God I’m married.”
• “We went from having sex once or twice a week to three or four times. Game changer for our relationship.”
• “My partner and I are both on it: no change. Still 3–5 times a week, 19 years together, and two kids later.”
• “I feel more connected to my partner even when I’m not interested in sex. Sometimes I initiate just to feel close.”
• “No issues with wetness here, and honestly, I’ve had way worse side effects on birth control and antidepressants.”
• “Sex is way more enjoyable now that my belly isn’t blocking my view. Visual stimulation? Fully restored.”

There’s no single “right” response here. Some people are jumping their partners twice a week. Others haven’t touched themselves (or anyone else) in a month. And all of it is valid.

If semaglutide is impacting your libido, for better or worse, it doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you. But it is something worth bringing up, especially if it’s affecting how you feel in your relationship or in your own body.

What to do if semaglutide is affecting your libido

If you're noticing changes in your sex drive, whether it's ramping up or totally MIA, you’re not imagining it, and you're not alone.

Here’s what can help:

• Talk to a provider: Especially one who understands women’s hormonal health. Sexual side effects should be taken seriously, and sometimes small adjustments (like dose changes, hormone testing, or support meds) can make a big difference.
• Look at the bigger picture: Sleep, stress, hydration, relationship dynamics, and body image all play a role in libido. Support your whole self, not just your weight loss goals.
• Don’t ignore discomfort: If semaglutide side effects are impacting intimacy, bring it up during your next check-in. You deserve a plan that works for all of you, not just the number on the scale.

GLP-1s are changing more than just body weight

Semaglutide and other GLP-1 medications like tirzepatide are changing more than just the number on the scale. For some, they’re also improving energy, sleep, blood sugar, and confidence. Others notice side effects that may influence things like mood, appetite, or even sex drive.

The truth is, libido is part of your overall well-being. It’s not a vanity metric. And if your sex drive shifts while taking semaglutide, whether it skyrockets, disappears, or lands somewhere in the middle, that change is real, valid, and worth paying attention to.

You deserve care that sees the full picture, not just your weight. That’s why LifeMD offers access to FDA-approved GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Zepbound, paired with ongoing support from real doctors who understand how hormones, emotions, and sexual health all connect.

If you’re struggling with your weight, sex drive, or both, and traditional advice hasn’t helped, it might be time to explore a medical weight care plan that actually listens to your body. LifeMD offers access to virtual GLP-1 care, personalized treatment, and insurance support. Plans may start as low as $0-$25 copay.* See if you qualify.

Because feeling good in your body shouldn’t come at the cost of feeling disconnected from it.

 

* Take precaution with and read all warnings concerning GLP-1s, as they may cause serious side effects, including a risk of thyroid c-cell tumors. Do not use if you or your family have a history of a type of thyroid cancer called MTC (medullary thyroid carcinoma) or MEN 2 (multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome). Copay determined by insurance coverage. $0-$25 is based on our average patient copay that is approved and covered for GLP-1 treatment through LifeMD.