Weight loss injections like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro can be life changing in helping people transform their bodies.
But behind the dramatic before-and-after photos lies an awkward, unsexy truth: the sex lives and relationships of users and their partners are taking a hit.
Therapists report a growing number of couples in crisis after the major changes achieved through weight loss drugs.
A huge change in appearance can shift the balance in relationships. It can create unexpected pressure around sex and spark jealousy and infidelity.
The drugs can also kill desire, cause ED (erectile dysfunction) and change personalities.
Nothing is without consequence.
I spoke to two women whose lives have been changed irreversibly by they or their partner having ‘the jabs’.
‘HE’S NOT INTERESTED IN FOOD OR SEX. HIS STOMACH IS FLAT BUT SO IS THE REST OF HIM’
According to sex and relationship expert Tracey Cox (pictured), weight loss jabs can cause issues for couples
Laura was happily married for 23 years – until her husband was prescribed Wegovy.
‘I read an article that described men on weight loss jabs as ‘thin, listless and silent’. Does that sound appealing to you? My husband was the life and soul of every party. He loved food, sex, drinking and laughing.
‘Yes, he had a big belly, but it didn’t put me off him, it endeared me to him. When his doctor put him on the weight loss jab, he didn’t just lose his appetite for food, he lost his appetite for life. It’s like someone’s taken my husband away and put this strange, uninterested and uninteresting man in his place. His stomach is now flat but so is the rest of him.
We used to love going out to dinner, sharing a bottle of wine and having sex when we got back, both a bit tipsy. Yes, we were both a bit overweight, but we enjoyed life and all it had to offer. Now, there’s no point going out to eat because he’s not interested in food at all. He doesn’t enjoy drinking either. Two of our shared pleasures gone.
Even more alarming, he’s lost all interest in sex. First up, he doesn’t have the energy. He’s tired all the time. He might look younger, but he can barely drag himself around the house, let alone have sex. When he did manage to drum up some interest, he struggled to get and keep an erection. He has NEVER had this issue before, and it really threw him. When I suggest sex now, he looks horrified.
I’ve asked him to stop taking the drug but he was advised by his doctor to take it because he has diabetes. And he likes not having ‘a big gut’ as he calls it. He gets lots of compliments on his appearance and he does look younger.
‘I get that it’s nice being slim when he hasn’t ever been slim in his whole life. But our relationship is suffering. We’re still young. I miss sex and I miss my husband’s happy, lusty personality. Everything comes at a cost, and I fear this might well cost him our marriage if nothing changes.’
‘I’M BEING PURSUED BY MEN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE – IT’S INTOXICATING’
While weight loss jabs have been very helpful for many people who want to lose weight, they have caused issues for some people when it comes to their sex lives (stock image)
Lily is 32 and has lost 27kg on Mounjaro. Her husband is not impressed but others are.
‘I was ‘the fat girl’ from an early age. Pretty enough but fat in areas ‘normal’ people don’t get fat: around my knees and in my groin area.
I never felt sexy. I never even felt passable. I’d only ever slept with two men: a guy at a party who was so drunk, I don’t think he knew who he was having sex with. And my husband.
My husband is not particularly attractive and not a particularly nice man either. I married him because no-one else paid me any attention.
I figured it was him or no-one. It’s been an OK marriage, but I’ve never been excited by him and our sex life is dismal.
He doesn’t want sex often but I have a high sex drive. I’ve spent my life having to satisfy myself with my vibrator.
I was put on a weight loss drug by my doctor and I have lost 27kg (more than four stone).
It was awful to start – I felt sick all the time and had to run to the loo constantly.
But I persevered and I look like a totally different person.
I’m not just attractive, I’m really attractive.
My face shape has altered, and I’ve discovered I have great breasts and a small waist and decent legs.
I had stretch marks and loose skin but I got that fixed. I have never had a ‘procedure’ but this was worth every penny.
I had to chuck out all my clothes and now wear what everyone else does: tight tops, sexy jeans, dresses that show off what I’ve now got. I go to a hairdresser and I’ve always been good at makeup.
I can’t quite believe it. Men look at me all the time.
Everyone at work stares at me – no-one can believe the change. I’m being pursued by men for the first time in my life. It’s intoxicating.
The only person who isn’t excited by the ‘new me’ is my husband. As my body changed, so did the relationship dynamic.
The more weight I lost, the moodier and more insecure he became. He’s never been particularly nice to me. He never compliments me and still doesn’t.
I should feel ashamed to admit this but I’m not.
I got chatting to a guy at a work do a month ago. He kept telling me I was the sexiest woman he’d ever seen.
No-one has ever said that to me. He really did act like he’s never wanted any woman more than he did me.
It made me feel better about myself that I ever have in my life. Why wouldn’t I say yes, let’s go to yours? The sex was incredible, and I want more.
My husband barely talks to me now, just looks me up and down when I appear in a new outfit.
Not once has he said, ‘Well done. You look great’.
We were both three to four on the attractiveness scale. I’m now a confidenteight. Before I put up with whatever crumbs of attention he’d give me.
Not now. I’m saving hard and the minute I can afford to rent somewhere, I’m off.’
Season 13 of Tracey’s podcast, SexTok, starts again next week. Find details and submit your own question at sextokpod.com.