Does Ozempic Cause Erectile Dysfunction? The Skinny on Weight Loss Drugs and ED

Medications like Ozempic® have revolutionized the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. They have their benefits, for sure. But they also have side effects. 

Most of the time, these side effects are gastrointestinal, such as nausea or diarrhea. But can Ozempic also cause erectile dysfunction? Read on to discover if there are sexual consequences of taking these diabetes and weight loss drugs. 

What Is Ozempic?

Ozempic is what’s known as a semaglutide drug. This class of drugs was originally used to support healthy blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Other brand names for this type of drug include Wegovy®. 

Although originally approved for diabetes, semaglutide medications like Ozempic are now prescribed off-label by doctors treating overweight and obese patients who want to lose weight. That means even though the drugs were approved for diabetes, doctors use them to treat weight loss as well.

Semaglutide for weight loss or diabetes is available as oral prescription medications or injections through a healthcare provider. 

How Does Ozempic Work?

Ozempic and other semaglutide drugs work by boosting levels of an intestinal hormone known as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which is why the medical term for this class of drugs is GLP-1 receptor agonists. Higher levels of this hormone are linked to staying slim and weight loss while lower levels are linked to obesity. Increasing GLP-1 suppresses appetite, so people taking Ozempic eat less, which is partly why they lose weight.  

Side Effects of Ozempic

Ozempic has a lot of benefits, but it can have drawbacks, too. The most common side effects in clinical trials were:(1)

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Belching 

• Constipation

• Gaseous stomach pain

• Heartburn

• Indigestion

• Flatulence (passing gas)

Other side effects that are less common or rare include:(1)

• Recurring fever

• Yellowing of the eyes or skin

• Burning sensation in the chest or stomach

• Tender stomach area

But what about erectile dysfunction? Can Ozempic cause ED or make it worse? The answer is complicated. Let’s take a look at what research says and what guys have noticed after taking the drug. 

Ozempic and Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction isn’t listed as a common side effect of Ozempic or other semaglutide drugs on the package inserts. In fact, because ED is linked to diabetes and weight gain, drugs like Ozempic that stabilize blood sugar and play a role in weight loss should reduce the risk of ED rather than increase it. 

However, some research suggests that one side effect of semaglutide drugs may include ED. A 2024 study published in Nature’s International Journal of Impotence Research investigated whether 3,000 non-diabetic men with obesity had a greater risk of ED compared to 3,000 men not taking a semaglutide drug.(2)

The study found that non-diabetic men taking a semaglutide medication were 4.4 times more likely to develop erectile dysfunction or be prescribed a medication for ED at least one month after starting a semaglutide prescription compared with men who did not take the drug. 

The researchers also found that men who took a semaglutide drug were nearly 2 times more likely to have testosterone deficiency. 

Does Ozempic Cause Erectile Dysfunction? Studies to the Contrary 

The issue of whether drugs like Ozempic could cause ED is complicated. Some studies indicate GLP-1 receptor agonists can actually improve sexual function or, at the very least, improve factors known to improve sexual function. 

For example, one study showed the exact opposite of the previous study we mentioned: drugs that raise GLP-1 levels also raised levels of testosterone in obese men who had low testosterone levels with or without type 2 diabetes.(3) Testosterone is a hormone linked to libido and sex drive. 

In addition, a review of the medical literature found that blood-sugar-lowering medications in diabetics also improve erectile function.(4) However, this study did not specifically investigate semaglutide drugs. 

Reasons Why Ozempic Could Cause ED

Although more research is needed, there are a couple of ways in which taking semaglutide could cause sexual side effects. These include:

• Low Testosterone Production – As mentioned earlier in this article, some studies have shown that semaglutide drugs lower testosterone while other studies have shown that drugs that increase GLP-1 also increase testosterone. More studies are needed in this area, but if the medications lower testosterone they could also affect libido and sex drive.

• Side Effects of Ozempic – Common side effects of semaglutide medications such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea don’t exactly put a guy in the mood for sex. 

Other Causes of Erectile Dysfunction 

There are many risk factors for ED, including health problems like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. High blood pressure and some blood pressure medications also are linked to erectile dysfunction. It’s best to get a check-up by your healthcare  professional to find out why you’re experiencing ED.

Treatment Options for ED 

You can find out if Ozempic is the reason for your experiencing ED by talking to your doctor about temporarily discontinuing the medication. If you still have erectile dysfunction after you stop taking Ozempic, then the ED is likely caused by something else. You can then pursue other strategies and lifestyle changes to improve your sexual health. These include:

• Eating a Mediterranean-style diet, which researchers have found lowers the risk of ED.(5) This type of healthy diet includes lots of vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, legumes, olive oil, and fish, and a limited amount of poultry, eggs, and dairy. People on this type of diet eat red meat sparingly while avoiding sugar. 

• Getting regular exercise. Aerobic exercise of moderate to vigorous intensity can improve erectile function, according to research.(6) 

• Trying ED medications. These medications can work, but they also have drawbacks. They can have side effects like headaches, nausea, dizziness, congestion, and runny nose. And they often stop working over time. 

• Looking into in-clinic or at-home acoustic soundwave therapy. Acoustic soundwave therapy, also known as low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT), is highly effective at improving male sexual health. According to Dr. Paul Thompson, M.D., a urologist who has used the therapy in his clinic for decades, acoustic soundwave therapy works with the body to improve erectile function. The problem? The therapy is expensive. Treatments cost around $500 per session, and men usually need at least six sessions with additional follow-up treatments. That’s why Dr. Thompson often recommends an at-home version of shockwave therapy that is just as effective as in-clinic treatments at a fraction of the cost. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Ozempic and ED

Does Ozempic Affect Your Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction isn’t listed as a common side effect of Ozempic. In fact, because ED is linked to diabetes and weight gain, drugs like Ozempic that reduce diabetes and obesity should reduce the risk of ED rather than increase it. 

However, some research suggests that semaglutide drugs may contribute to ED. A 2024 study published in Nature’s International Journal of Impotence Research found that men taking a semaglutide medication were 4.4 times more likely to develop ED or be prescribed a medication for ED at least one month after starting a semaglutide prescription compared with men who did not take the medication.(2) More research needs to be done in this area since some studies have found that medications that increase GLP-1 improve ED.

Does Ozempic Affect Testosterone?

Ozempic does appear to affect testosterone levels, but the studies are mixed as to whether it can raise or lower testosterone. One study found that medications that raise GLP-1 levels also raised levels of testosterone in obese men who had low testosterone levels with or without type 2 diabetes.(3) However, another study found that men taking semaglutide were nearly two times more likely to have testosterone deficiency.(2) 

Because Ozempic causes weight loss and stabilizes blood sugar and insulin, it makes more sense that it would raise testosterone, since high blood sugar and diabetes are linked to testosterone deficiency. More studies are needed to find out in what way Ozempic affects testosterone. 

What Diabetic Medications Cause ED?

Diabetes itself can lead to an increased risk of ED, but some medications used to treat diabetes may also be linked to sexual dysfunction. For example, some research has found that metformin significantly lowers testosterone, sex drive, and erectile function.(7) However, some research indicates metformin can improve blood flow and reduce the risk of ED, so additional research is needed in this area.  

Ozempic, which is commonly used in type 2 diabetics, also has been linked to testosterone deficiency and low sex drive, although evidence is mixed.(2)(3) 

Sources

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/semaglutide-subcutaneous-route/description/drg-20406730

2. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41443-024-00895-6

3. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/andr.1331

4. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/andr.1319

5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28721287/

6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30873650/

7. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5296448/