Experts have weighed in on 'Ozempic vulva', as women share their experience of the little-known side effect.
GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro (of which the latter two are licensed for weight management on the NHS) have exploded in usage over the past year, as more and more people turn to the drugs for weight management reasons.
Originally created as a medication for Type 2 diabetes, the drug family works by managing a patient's blood sugar levels.
The drugs can also slow down the digestive system, causing a prolonged sensation of fullness.
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Combine this with changes to a person's diet and lifestyle and the medication has been proven to work wonders in helping people lose weight.
However, the medication isn't without side effects, with users often experiencing symptoms of nausea, constipation and stomach pain.
Meanwhile, others have reported dealing with 'premature ageing' to the face, hair loss and even changes to their smiles.
But there's another lesser-known side effect now being reported among users.
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Ladies and gentlemen, meet 'Ozempic vulva' or 'Ozempic vagina', the sister symptom of 'Ozempic penis'.
What is 'Ozempic vulva'?
Ozempic vulva is not a side effect which has been officially recognised by manufacturers, however, according to Los Angeles-based physician Dr Tahery, Ozempic can cause three distinct side effects to the vulva and vagina.
These include: a sagging of the outer labia, weakness of the vaginal muscles and dryness.
One Ozempic user even took to Reddit to ask for help after 'losing all [their] fat pads in [their] vulva'.
Why does 'Ozempic vulva' occur?
The rapid weight loss associated with Ozempic can lead to visible sagging of the skin as it struggles to keep up. The vulva is not immune to this and can appear 'deflated'.
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"Loss of subcutaneous fat is global - including the mons pubis and labia majora - sometimes giving the area a deflated or 'aged' look. This can be due to ptosis of soft tissue, or atrophy of the fat in this area," Dr Justin Perron, board member of the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, explained to MailOnline.
Ozempic weight-loss doesn't exclusively target fat either, with a decrease in muscle mass also reported. In the genital area, this can lead to a weakening of pelvic muscles.
US gynaecologist Dr Melanie Bone revealed to Newsweek that changes to hormone levels and dehydration can lead to vaginal dryness and discomfort.
What can users do to combat 'Ozempic vulva'?
According to MailOnline, some patients have begun to seek out dermal fillers to give the appearance of a fuller look to their vulva, a treatment which is known in the UK as 'genital rejuvenation'.
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Meanwhile, more invasive surgical methods include fat transfers or excess skin removal.
As always, it's recommended that users consult with a doctor if they suspect something is not right.
A spokesperson for Ozempic's manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, told LADbible Group in a statement: "Patient safety is of the utmost importance to Novo Nordisk. We continuously collect safety data on our marketed GLP-1 RA medicines and work closely with the authorities to ensure patient safety.
"We recommend patients take these medications only for their approved indications and under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Treatment decisions should be made together with a healthcare provider who can evaluate the appropriateness of using a GLP-1 based on assessment of a patient’s individual medical profile.
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"We recommend that any UK patient experiencing side effects while taking GLP receptor agonists including Wegovy®▼ or Ozempic® report them to their healthcare provider and via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/."
Brenna Cooper