Semaglutide and Sex Drive: Does Ozempic Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Does Ozempic® cause erectile dysfunction (ED)? ED isn’t among the most common side effects of Ozempic and other medications containing semaglutide. However, it might be a potential side effect for a small number of men taking these medications.

Ozempic is FDA-approved for:

• Improving blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with exercise and a healthy diet

• Reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease

This medication is also commonly prescribed off-label to help people with overweight or obesity lose weight. (Off-label means a drug is prescribed to treat something it’s not FDA-approved for.)

ED is more common in those with obesity and diabetes than people without these conditions. So it’s likely also more common among those taking Ozempic than the general population.

We’ll look at the connection between Ozempic and ED, explore other factors that can contribute to erectile dysfunction, and discuss other potential side effects of Ozempic.

The connection between Ozempic and ED isn’t fully understood. Ozempic could, theoretically, improve ED symptoms by helping with blood sugar control and weight loss.

On the other hand, this medication might also contribute to ED through several mechanisms, like lowering testosterone levels.

The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide. Medications containing semaglutide are also sold under the brand names Wegovy® and Rybelsus® in the United States.

Some package inserts for semaglutide medications have a warning that they might cause sexual dysfunction as a potential side effect. However, little research has looked into this specific risk.

In a 2024 study published in Nature’s International Journal of Impotence Research, researchers examined the connection between semaglutide medications and ED in men with obesity who didn’t have diabetes. Over 3,000 men in this demographic were taking semaglutide, and an equal number had never received a semaglutide prescription.

The men given semaglutide were 4.4 times more likely to develop ED or be prescribed medications to treat erectile dysfunction. The researchers also found that men who took semaglutide were 1.9 times more likely to have testosterone deficiency.

Semaglutide falls into a group of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These medications work by mimicking the action of a hormone produced by the intestines called GLP-1 that helps:

• Promote the production of the hormone insulin that lowers blood sugar

• Slows the movement of food through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract

• Makes you feel full longer

That said, Ozempic and other forms of semaglutide are strong medications, and they aren’t without side effects.

Semaglutide and sex drive might be connected. Ozempic may contribute to the development of ED by messing with libido or lowering testosterone levels.

Taking Ozempic could:

• Affect sex drive or sexual function. Anecdotally, some men taking Ozempic report changes in their sex drive or overall sexual function. Changes are often for the better, but some men report a lower sex drive or trouble achieving an erection.

• Lower testosterone levels. Some evidence suggests that men with obesity taking semaglutide may develop low testosterone more often than men with obesity not taking semaglutide. More research is needed to understand if there’s a connection and how strong the association might be.

ED could also be a side effect of other medications classified as GLP-1 agonists. Having said that, sexual dysfunction doesn’t seem to be as common as other side effects like nausea or diarrhea.

Little research has been done on whether GLP-1 receptor agonists can improve ED symptoms.

Some evidence suggests that GLP-1 receptors may help improve ED symptoms in people with type 2 diabetes since these medications can help with blood sugar control.

Obesity is also highly associated with ED. GLP-1 receptor agonists are often prescribed for weight loss, and losing weight can potentially improve ED symptoms.

Research consistently suggests that weight loss can help treat ED in men with overweight or obesity — so there’s that.

Achieving an erection requires many physical and mental components to be in working order — such as your nerves, blood vessels, and mental health.

It’s normal to notice changes to erectile function during periods of stress or with age. But some people are at an increased risk, including those with certain underlying health conditions.

Potential contributing causes and risk factors for ED include:

• Heart disease

• Blood vessel problems

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

• Hyperlipidemia

• Diabetes

• Low testosterone

• Smoking

• Obesity

• Heavy alcohol use

• Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)

• Depression

• Medication side effects

• Low physical activity levels

• Neurological problems

• Using recreational drugs

• Premature ejaculation (PE)

If you have any of these conditions or risk factors and are experiencing erection issues, let your healthcare provider know.

The most common side effects of Ozempic include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Constipation

Side effects of weight loss drugs often improve over time as your body gets used to the medication. If you develop ED after taking Ozempic, your symptoms might last as long as you continue taking it.

What Are the Serious Side Effects of Ozempic?

Most of the common side effects of Ozempic are minor, but some serious side effects can occur.

Rodent studies suggest that Ozempic may cause thyroid C-cell tumors. It’s not clear if it can also cause tumors in humans, but to be safe, Ozempic shouldn’t be given to people with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 or a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Other potentially serious complications that have been reported by those taking Ozempic include:

• Dangerously low blood sugar when combined with other medications

• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

• Diabetic retinopathy complications

• Kidney injury

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Gallbladder disease

Make sure to keep in close contact with your provider while taking weight loss medication and report any persistent or unusual symptoms. When in doubt, seek medical care right away.

Ozempic Sexual Side Effects

Sexual side effects of Ozempic weren’t reported in clinical trials that led to its FDA approval.

Anecdotally, some men report a lowered sex drive after taking Ozempic. However, many also report improvements in their sex drive.

It’s normal to experience erectile problems every now and then, especially when consuming alcohol or feeling stressed. However, if it becomes a regular problem or is a considerable cause of distress, it’s best to see a healthcare professional.

Your provider can evaluate your situation and find what might be contributing to your symptoms — and whether Ozempic might be a contributor. They can also suggest treatment options, such as making lifestyle changes or taking medications.

Check in with your healthcare provider for regular follow-ups when taking Ozempic to monitor how the drug is working and go over side effects.

Let them know if you develop any concerning symptoms, like intense abdominal pain or dizziness, which can be signs of serious complications of Ozempic.

If your provider thinks Ozempic or another prescription drug may be contributing to your ED symptoms, they might recommend stopping your medication to see if it helps improve your symptoms.

They may also recommend medications to improve blood flow to your penis.

The most common class of drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction are called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These ED medications include:

• Sildenafil (Viagra®)

• Vardenafil (Levitra®)

• Tadalafil (Cialis®)

• Avanafil (Stendra® and Spedra®)

Other things that may help treat ED:

• Treating depression or sexual performance anxiety with counseling or medications

• Taking medications to help control blood pressure

• Making lifestyle changes like exercising more and reducing stress

• Treating underlying conditions that may be contributing, such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, kidney disease, or diabetes

Learn more about men’s sexual health treatments on our telehealth platform.

Weight loss can potentially help many aspects of your health, including sexual health, if you have overweight or obesity.

Obesity is a known risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED) due to factors like:

• Impaired cardiovascular health

• Low testosterone levels

• Higher rates of diabetes

• Inflammation

• Blood vessel or nerve damage

Studies consistently show that losing weight can potentially help treat ED in people with overweight or obesity. Medications like Ozempic are best combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Ozempic is one of many medications used to treat diabetes or aid weight loss. Other options include:

• Metformin. Metformin is often the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes. It usually doesn’t impact sexual function negatively. It may even improve sexual function for some people by helping control blood sugar levels. ED is a potential side effect of metformin, but it’s not common.

• SGLT2 inhibitors. These drugs also help manage your blood sugar levels and can lead to weight loss. Drugs in this class include canagliflozin (Invokana®), bexagliflozin (Brenzavvy), and dapagliflozin (Farxiga®).

• GLP-1 receptor agonists (other than semaglutide). Similar to Ozempic, other GLP-1 receptor agonists can aid with weight loss and improve glucose control for people with diabetes. ED doesn’t seem to be a common side effect of these medications.

Other GLP-1 receptor agonists approved in the United States include dulaglutide (Trulicity®), exenatide (Byetta®), liraglutide (Victoza®, Saxenda®), and lixisenatide (Adlyxin®).

Does Ozempic cause erectile dysfunction? Ozempic may contribute to the development of ED for a small number of people, but it might also help treat ED by supporting weight loss and blood sugar control.

Erectile dysfunction isn’t listed as a side effect of Ozempic on its prescribing label, but it’s included on inserts for some medications containing semaglutide.

Your healthcare provider may think Ozemic is contributing to your ED if your symptoms start shortly after starting the medication. In that case, they may recommend stopping your medication or making lifestyle changes to help support your overall health.

Lifestyle changes that may improve ED symptoms:

• Increasing your daily and weekly physical activity levels

• Trying to incorporate more walking into your daily routine

• Keeping your weight in a healthy range

• Minimizing your intake of ultra-processed foods and eating more whole foods such as fruit, vegetables, lean meats, or whole grains

• Stopping smoking or avoiding starting

• Controlling diabetes and other conditions that can contribute to the development of ED

If you’re interested in weight loss meditations or erectile dysfunction treatments, explore your options on our telehealth platform.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.