Miranda Shea has a strong desire for intimacy—until it suddenly disappeared.

After starting a treatment plan with compounded tirzepatide, a generic alternative to popular anti-obesity injections like Mounjaro, in August, her cravings for physical connection faded away.

This unexpected drop in sexual interest is a relatively common yet often overlooked side effect of GLP-1 medications, including Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.

This issue can impact both women and men, leading some men to experience low testosterone and erectile dysfunction.

These weight-loss drugs—popularized by celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and stars from “Real Housewives”—can alter dopamine levels in the body.

Dopamine, often referred to as the “feel good” hormone, plays a significant role in motivating individuals to partake in pleasurable activities, such as enjoying a box of cookies or engaging in intimate moments.

While undergoing treatment, some individuals, including Shea, may find that their appetite for intimacy diminishes.

“I’m naturally very sexual, so we were intimate quite frequently,” shared Shea, 35, a critical care nurse from Northern California, when reflecting on her relationship with her husband, Ken. “However, after starting the injections, my libido just dropped.”

This change was unusual for Shea, who humorously noted her past struggles with a borderline obsession with sex.

Even at her peak weight of 186 pounds, Shea, a mother of three, still found the energy for passionate encounters multiple times a week—dynamic sessions filled with enjoyment and satisfaction.

She gained weight during her pregnancies over the past decade and, despite her persistent efforts with diet and exercise, couldn’t shed the pounds effectively.

Consequently, she opted for weekly weight loss injections, which can cost her between $400 and $500 monthly, to help reduce her weight and curb cravings for unhealthy foods.

Sadly, the drugs impacted more than just her appetite for food.

“Just as some people feel ‘icky’ about food, I experienced the same ‘ick’ towards sex,” lamented Shea, who has since lost 40 pounds.

According to Dr. Holly Lofton, director of NYU Langone Health’s medical weight management program, a sudden disinterest in sex can happen as individuals adjust to increased medication doses during their weight loss journey.

“When dopamine levels rise in the brain, eating, drinking, and intimacy become more pleasurable,” Lofton explained. “However, GLP-1s can suppress dopamine release.”

“Sometimes, when patients taking Ozempic are at higher doses, they are losing weight but still on high doses due to their new, smaller body,” she added.

Individuals using tirzepatide are generally recommended to commence treatment at 2.5 mg, gradually moving up to 5 mg after four weeks, with a maximum increase to 15 mg as needed.

However, it’s crucial to note that higher dosages may lead to further changes in libido, Lofton cautioned.

“Patients might feel fatigued due to the medication causing them to operate on a lower glucose level than before,” she explained. “Consequently, they may lack the energy for fun activities with their partners.”

However, individuals react differently to the injectable treatments.

For Shea, reducing her dosages proved to be the solution, and her disinterest in sex has “entirely vanished.”

In contrast, Christine, 43, discovered that increasing her Zepbound dosage reignited her passion.

“In the beginning, I was lacking excitement in life,” shared Christine, who opted to keep her last name private. She began her treatment in February 2024 and has already lost 73 pounds—along with her previous joy.

“After increasing my dose, I felt a surge of energy and my sex drive returned,” noted Christine, a sales executive and content creator. “Now I’m back to being intimate four times a week.”

Her revived enthusiasm is supported by findings from researchers at the University of Florence in Italy, indicating that some individuals may experience an increase in libido due to GLP-1 medications.

“For those reporting improvements in sexual health, various factors were implicated, including positive changes in body image from weight loss, insulin regulation affecting sexual hormones, and overall mental wellness,” the authors mentioned in their June report.

Caley Svensson attributes her three-year experience with Mounjaro to an increased sense of well-being and a boost in her sex drive.

“Before starting the injections, my libido was very low because I didn’t feel good about myself,” confessed Svensson, a married mother of three and decor influencer from New Jersey.

Once weighing 230 pounds, Svensson battled depression, a consequence of her lifelong struggle with weight. To overcome her challenges, she began using the weight loss injections in 2022, resulting in nearly a 100-pound reduction. This transformation also revitalized her passion for intimacy.

“Now, I feel sexy and confident,” said Svensson, who has shed her inhibitions when it comes to being intimate with her husband, Erik. “I flourish in the bedroom!”