Side-effects of fat jabs are transforming the dating scene – and ‘reshaping' our sex lives
For the 1.5 million Brits already on them, many are likely to be shedding the pounds, and fast.
While new studies suggest they may make people healthier, by slashing the risk of heart disease and curing booze addiction.
But that's not all - these so-called ' fat jabs ' could be changing the way we flirt, date and have sex too.
According to a survey by the Kinsey Institute, at Indiana University in the US, nearly half of people using GLP-1 drugs said the meds had changed their sex lives - for better, or worse.
Some users reported feeling a serious boost in desire, feeling sexier naked, and noticing better performance in the bedroom.
But it wasn't all good news, others said their libido took a hit, or that they felt less comfortable with their bodies, even as the weight dropped off.
"There's a very nuanced story to tell here," Dr Justin Lehmiller, one of the study's authors said.
"How these drugs impact your sex life will depend on a variety of factors, including dosage, speed of weight loss and changes to fitness habits.'
The research conducted with DatingNews.com polled 2,000 single adults in the US, aged 18 to 91.
Of those, 8 per cent, just 160 people, said they'd used weight-loss jabs like Ozempic or Wegovy.
Among those users, nearly 60 per cent said the medication had affected their dating lives.
Feeling Full Naturally: Top 5 Foods That Act Like Weight Loss Jabs
They reported a range of benefits, from getting more matches on dating apps to feeling confident enough to ask people out.
Nearly one in six users said they had bought new clothes to show off their bodies, while others noticed exes reaching out, sparked by their transformations.
Around 13 per cent felt more confident posting photos online, and 12 per cent said they were going on more dates.
Sexual desire increased for 18 per cent of users, but 16 per cent experienced the opposite effect.
Similarly, 16 per cent felt more comfortable naked, while 14 per cent felt less so.
Improvements in sexual function were reported by 16 per cent, but 12 per cent said their sexual performance had worsened.
Men see the biggest difference
Men in particular reported more pronounced shifts, both positive and negative.
They were twice as likely as women to say their libido had increased, they were happier with their bodies, and that their sexual function improved.
Yet they were also more likely to report decreased libido and sexual difficulties.
Despite the boost in confidence many felt, 60 per cent of men admitted to worrying about being judged or shamed for taking these medications, compared to 35 per cent of women.
Dr Amanda Gesselman, another study author, added: 'GLP-1 use is rising among single adults and it's starting to influence more than just how people look and feel about themselves.
"These shifts have the potential to reshape how people build intimacy in today's dating landscape.
"For example, as users report reduced appetites and lower interest in alcohol, the classic dinner-and-drinks date may give way to new ways of connecting.'
Everything you need to know about fat jabs
Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases.
Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK.
Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market.
Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year.
How do they work?
The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight.
They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high.
Can I get them?
NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics.
Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure.
GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss.
Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk.
Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health.
Are there any risks?
Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild.
Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at patient.info, said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.'
Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia.
Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health.
Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines
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