‘Ozempic vagina’ side effect is costing women £2,000 to reverse
Women taking Ozempic are apparently losing money as well as weight, as they're reportedly spending thousands to combat a certain side effect.
A host of females who have been using the GLP-1 medication to help them shed the pounds - despite it not being approved by the NHS for weight loss - claim to have got more than they bargained for, as they've now been left with an unfortunate issue in their intimate area.
Dubbed 'Ozempic vagina' or 'Ozempic vulva', this is a side effect that apparently causes a drastic change in the appearance of a woman's genitals.
Dr Michael Tahery previously explained that, as a result of taking drugs like Ozempic that aid weight loss, women may experience sagging of the outer labia, weakness of the vaginal muscles and dryness.
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The Los Angeles-based medic said that rapid weight loss can lead to a 'visible' difference to the vagina - warning that it might look as though it's now 'out of proportion'.
Although the manufacturer of Ozempic, Novo Nordisk, doesn't officially recognise these as side effects, a host of health experts have been digging into them over the last few months.
And in August, cosmetic and plastic surgeon Dr Paul Banwell told LADbible that a growing number of women have been seeking out procedures which can help them 'correct' this problem.
He said he had 'definitely noticed a rise' in the amount of women inquiring, and it seems as though this has only continued to skyrocket over the last four months.
Harley Street plastic surgeon Dan Marsh also reckons that there's been an 'increase in patients seeking ways to fix' Ozempic vulva, while reiterating exactly what it is.
"When you have a lot of fat loss, the labia becomes empty and stretched, much like when people lose weight and are left with excess skin," he told Metro. "It’s causing an increase in patients seeking ways to fix issues of excess skin, especially over the last 12 months."
One of the most popular procedures which promises to get rid of this issue for Ozempic users is something known as 'labia puffing'. Despite it involving filler-filled needles being injected into your nether regions, it's touted as being 'minimally invasive' by experts such as Dr Shazia Malik.
The consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist explained that by using dermal fillers, such as hyaluronic acid or fat, women can 'restore [the volume]' to the labia majora as well as 'increasing fullness, smoothness, and symmetry'.
Age, weight loss and childbirth can all impact the appearance of your vagina, and a lot of women end up feeling quite insecure about this.
Explaining the most common motivations for undergoing labia puffing, Dr Malik continued: "Many women seek the procedure to address perceived imperfections or asymmetry.
"Aside from aesthetic improvement, labia puffing can also increase confidence, particularly in intimate situations."
She urged women considering this procedure to take 'careful consideration', as although it 'can offer aesthetic benefits and boost confidence', ladies should only be doing it for their own sake, rather than due to 'societal pressures'.
Labia puffing does come with the risk of you encountering swelling, bruising, irritation or an allergic reaction, although this is rare, according to Dr Malik.
She went on to warn that the filler used 'could shift or form lumps, leading to an unnatural appearance', so it might not even be worth having done, anyway.
"There are some more serious complications like infection or damage to surrounding tissues too, but choosing a qualified practitioner can help minimise these risks," Dr Malik said.
Cosmetic surgeons such as Gerard Lambe said that labia puffing has become more popular than ever over the last few years, which correlates with the rise in Ozempic use.
He explained he carried out 42 of these procedures last year, while revealing how much it tends to cost.
Dr Lambe, from Reflect Clinic, charges up to £500 for every ml of filler that he uses - so the price is worked out on a case by case basis, depending on how much is required.
"The first ever procedure starts with smaller amounts so that a top-up is possible," the plastic surgeon said. "If puffing is combined with a labiaplasty, that can cost in the region £2,000 to £4,500."
Although this might sound like extortion to some people, Dr Lambe explained that people are often fooled into going for 'low cost' options that don't include consultations or follow-up care.
Each of the experts emphasised the importance of people thoroughly researching the treatment and the person they want to perform it, rather than rushing into labia puffing.
Novo Nordisk told LADbible in a statement: "Patient safety is of the utmost importance to Novo Nordisk.
"We continuously collect safety data on our marketed 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.
"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/."
Olivia Burke