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The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Side-effects of fat jabs are transforming the dating scene – and ‘reshaping' our sex lives
WEIGHT loss jabs are changing people's lives. For the 1.5 million Brits already on them, many are likely to be shedding the pounds, and fast. Advertisement 1 Weight loss jabs are shaking up people's sex and dating lives Credit: Getty While new studies suggest they may make people healthier, by slashing the risk of 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. Advertisement But it wasn't all good news, others said their "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 polled 2,000 single adults in the US, aged 18 to 91. Advertisement Most read in Health 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 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Read more on the Irish Sun "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 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
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Side-effects of fat jabs are transforming the dating scene – and ‘reshaping' our sex lives
WEIGHT loss jabs are changing people's lives. For the 1.5 million Brits already on them, many are likely to be shedding the pounds, and fast. 1 Weight loss jabs are shaking up people's sex and dating lives Credit: Getty 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 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.'
The Sun
7 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Side-effects of fat jabs are transforming the dating scene – and ‘reshaping' our sex lives
WEIGHT loss jabs are changing people's 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 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 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
Newsweek
15-07-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Men Are Gaining More Confidence From Ozempic Than Women: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. While some may associate Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications with women trying to lose weight, it turns out that men are the ones gaining the most significant confidence boosts from it. In a Kinsey Institute and survey of GLP-1 users, men were three times more likely than women to say GLP-1s gave them more confidence. They also experienced more notable improvements in their dating lives and libidos. Why It Matters In recent years, the use of weight-loss medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists has surged. Popular products include Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Zephound and have been a game changer for many Americans who are obese or have type 2 diabetes. For patients who successfully lose weight, there can be significant changes in their mental health as well as their personal dating lives, but this impact appears to be more pronounced among male users. Ozempic is medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is prescribed for long-term weight loss in adults and children. Both contain the active ingredient semaglutide, on January 13, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. Ozempic is medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is prescribed for long-term weight loss in adults and children. Both contain the active ingredient semaglutide, on January 13, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. Steve Christo - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images What To Know Across the entire survey sample, drugs like Ozempic were having major effects on users' dating lives. While 59 percent of users said the drugs changed their dating experiences, men experienced a more notable impact on their confidence levels and sex lives, according to the report. Men were three times more likely than women to say GLP-1s boosted their confidence and two times more likely to say they were going on more dates. They also reported higher libido, more matches and increased sexual activity. Still, there were some negative implications for men, of which 60 percent said they feared being judged for using GLP-1s and worried they'd be seen as "less masculine" for doing so. Of all GLP-1 users surveyed, 12 percent said they were going on more dates, and 14 percent said they were getting more matches on dating apps. Meanwhile, a whopping 52 percent reported changes in their sex lives. What People Are Saying Dr. Justin Lehmiller, the Kinsey Institute study lead, said in a statement: "I think there's a very nuanced story to tell here. How these drugs impact your sex life will depend on a variety of factors, including drug dosage and drug type, speed of weight loss, starting and ending weight, and how much you changed your health and fitness habits at the same time." "Sexually speaking, it appears that men are experiencing more positive and more negative impacts of GLP-1 medications." What Happens Next The long-term implications of GLP-1 medication use are so far unclear. A recent study discovered a new link between taking GLP-1 drugs and elevated risk of pancreatitis and kidney conditions, including kidney stones. GLP-1 medications are also associated with a higher risk of digestive problems, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and even stomach paralysis in rare cases.
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Is Gen Z Killing the Dating App?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Over the past few years, there's been headline after headline saying that Gen Z isn't drinking, clubbing or having sex as much as previous generations. Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, has purportedly swapped out pints for Pilates, and the self-care obsessed group seems to have become disillusioned with dating, too. An unintended casualty? Dating apps. As Bumble lays off staff and Match Group embarks on a rebrand, Newsweek asks experts—are Gen Zers really not interested in dating, or are they just doing it differently? And what does it mean for the future of dating apps? The Great Dating Drought Dating apps massively altered the way people meet and connect. Pew Research Center reported in 2023 that one in 10 partnered adults met their partner on a dating site or app, rising to one in five for those aged under 30. However, that same year, an Axios survey of college and graduate students found that 79 percent of college students weren't using any dating apps. In a 2022 nationally representative U.S. survey of 2,000 adults from the Kinsey Institute and Lovehoney, one in four Gen Z adults said they were yet to have partnered sex. And there was a gender divide, with men being more likely than women to report never having had partnered sex (one in three men vs. one in five women). Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty/Canva More recent research points to a continued decline in dating app usage. In May, the Kinsey Institute and conducted a nationally representative survey of 2,000 single adults to examine the current dating landscape. Just 21.2 percent of Gen Z participants said that apps were their primary way of connecting, and 58 percent said they were focused on meeting in person. Dr. Justin Lehmiller, a senior research fellow at the Kinsey Institute and host of the Sex and Psychology Podcast, worked on both pieces of research. "For a generation raised on technology, most of them don't actually seem to want to use technology to find love and prefer to find it the old-fashioned way instead," he told Newsweek over email. This shift in desire may be driving a shift in the dating industry. Bumble, the dating app where "women make the first move," has lost 90 percent of its value since going public in 2021 and recently announced it is laying off 30 percent of its staff. Newsweek reached out to Bumble via an online contact form for comment. "There are a number of reasons why young adults appear to be turning away from online dating," Lehmiller said, pointing to the expense of online dating (many apps offer paid options, and going on dates can be expensive), for a generation struggling financially. Then, there's Gen Z's drive for authenticity. "One doesn't have to spend much time on a dating app to discover authenticity is often hard to come by," Lehmiller said. Taking Romance Offline So, are tech-raised Gen Zers really taking an analogue approach to dating? "Gen Z is the most digitally native generation, but that doesn't mean they want more digital disconnection—they are obsessed with the idea of authenticity," content creator and matchmaker Alexis Germany Fox told Newsweek. Fox said that Gen Z isn't interested in "endless swiping" or "surface-level bios." Beyond that, "Apps that rely solely on quick-glance attraction feel outdated to them." In a rapidly changing tech world, dating apps have already become a bit old fashioned. The first online dating site, was launched in 1995—before Gen Z was even born. Apps like Tinder, Hinge and Bumble came later, in 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. The youngest of Gen Z were born in 2012. "Gen Z seems to think that there are only 'leftovers' on the apps, so they aren't even worth their time anymore," Fox said. In October 2024, comedian and actor Leslie Jones said on The Drew Barrymore Show, "They just need to put all the apps on one app and call it 'What's left?'" The clip has been viewed 4 million times on TikTok, Gen Z's digital watering hole. Newsweek spoke to Dr. Jennie Rosie, an associate professor at James Madison University and host of the Love Matters podcast. Drawing on her own research, published in the Virginia Social Science Journal and the Florida Communication Journal, she said "Gen Zers want serious, long-term relationships." However, they "feel pressured by dismissive dating norms to adopt more casual practices." This leads to Gen Z "putting less focus on their long-term goals of life partnership." Rae Weiss, a Gen Z dating coach, said that this generation is moving away from dating apps because swiping feels "transactional, laborious and scripted." "The burnout from choice overload has left us craving authenticity and meaningful interaction, so we're seeking out organic ways to meet people offline," Weiss told Newsweek. "There is little incentive for genuine conversation or progressing relationships when you can always start anew. The Dating App Reinvention But this may not be a death knell for apps. "I don't think dating apps are going to disappear any time soon, but they will need to evolve if they want to get more young people to join," Lehmiller said. Match Group's Spencer Rascoff, who joined as CEO earlier this year, is leading changes to the company's apps, which include Tinder and Hinge. Tinder—long associated with "hookup culture"—specifically is undergoing a rebrand to appeal more to Gen Z. Delivering prepared remarks at Match Group's Q1 2025 earnings report, Rascoff said that to meet this generation's needs, they're "focused on building features that feel more fun and spontaneous." One such feature on Tinder includes a double date function, which has proved popular with users aged under 29. On Hinge—the dating app "designed to be deleted" and generally known for more intentional dating—Gen Z makes up more than 50 percent of users. Hinge has released specific Gen Z dating reports, the "Your World" prompts feature and "Your Turn Limits," which require users with too many matches to either reply or end the conversation before matching with new people. The shifts are being felt around the dating world. One platform that is both booming and bringing a Gen Z audience with it is Feeld. It is described on its website as an "inclusive dating app" aimed at people interested in ethical non-monogamy, polyamory, casual sex and the LGBTQ+ community. In the first quarter of 2025, Feeld achieved some 841,000 downloads—its highest number to date—according to Statista. "Feeld has always been a bit different," Ashley Dos Santos, a senior communications executive at Feeld, told Newsweek. "What we're seeing now with Gen Z especially is a broader cultural shift towards more open, intentional ways of connecting," Dos Santos said. "This generation is questioning old norms around gender, sexuality and relationships, and choosing exploration and authenticity over more rigid categories. Feeld isn't here to dictate how people should date—we're here to create safer spaces for them to define it for themselves." Dos Santos said they've seen an 89 percent increase in Gen Zers joining Feeld in the past year. "They're leading the way in forming meaningful connections on the app, and are also the most fluid generation we've seen," she said. Gen Z's sexual fluidity may be a key driver in Feeld's popularity. A 2024 report from the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) found that nearly 30 percent of Gen Z identified as LGBTQ+. To put that number in perspective, baby boomers only identified as LGBTQ+ 4 percent of the time, while millennials identified as LGBTQ+ 16 percent of the time. What Does the Future Hold for Dating Apps? As Gen Z brings a new set of preferences and problems to the dating world, it's clear that a rapid evolution of apps is necessary. "For dating apps to remain relevant, they'll need to evolve beyond the swipe," Fox said. "That might mean integrating more real-life components like curated local mixers or event partnerships and creating better in-app experiences for vibe checks." Weiss echoed this idea, saying, "I'm also seeing Gen Z place a high value on the accountability and comfort that comes from having a friend, coworker, acquaintance or institution in common. "For dating apps to stay relevant, they'll need to prioritize helping users move from online to in-person quickly and build community ties—by surfacing mutual connections and providing insight into community overlap, much like LinkedIn does when it shows where your networks intersect," Weiss said. Fox added that "Gen Z isn't anti-digital, they're anti-fake. The future of dating tech must align with that." While a world without dating apps feels unlikely, Gen Z appears to be paving the way toward a world where they are used differently. Pledge authenticity and you might get them to hit download.
