What is Ozempic Vulva, the little-known side effect of the popular weight loss drug women are talking about
Making its turn around the social media frequently now, Ozempic vulva isn't a medical diagnosis; rather, it's a label coined by women noticing unexpected changes in their vulva or vaginal area after using Ozempic or similar GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.
Ozempic is a widely used weight-loss and diabetes medication, but some women taking it are reporting surprising and sensitive side effects. These changes include sagging skin, dryness, muscle weakness, loss of fullness, altered discharge, and even pelvic weakness. While it may sound surprising, experts say these shifts are often tied to rapid weight loss, hormone shifts, and hydration changes.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a well-known prescription drug that's used to treat the blood sugar of people with type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic is given as an injection under your skin. Ozempic is also used to lower the risk of cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or death) in people who have type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
The Food and Drug Administration first approved the injectable medication for treating diabetes in 2017; the agency approved a drug with a higher dose of the active ingredient in Ozempic, called semaglutide, to treat obesity in 2021, under the brand name Wegovy.
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Since then, talk of the drug has popped up across the internet. The prescription drug keeps gaining attention as celebrities, a tech mogul, and TikTok influencers have described taking it to lose weight in short time frames.
What is Ozempic vulva?
Known casually as 'Ozempic vulva' or 'Ozempic vagina', the issue refers to changes in the genital area linked to rapid weight loss. It's not an official medical term. Instead, it's a nickname women have coined to describe certain changes in the genital area while using GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro.
Though not formally acknowledged by drugmakers, more users are sharing what they notice, and experts are now paying attention.
As reported by the NY Post, Dr. Sherry Ross, an OB-GYN in Santa Monica, CA, and author of 'She-ology' and 'She-ology, the She-quel,' told HealthCentral, '[The rapidity of] weight loss can cause visible skin sagging, laxity and wrinkles throughout the body,' adding, 'All areas of the body can show visible skin changes in response to this significant weight loss,' she added, 'including the lower belly, pubic mons, and inner and outer labia.
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Why does it happen and how?
The vagina is surrounded by two sets of 'lips' or folds of skin. The labia majora are the outer, larger folds, while the labia minora are the inner, smaller folds. They extend from the mons pubis, the rounded, fatty area over the pubic bone.
Some GLP-1 users have complained that their weight loss has led to a decrease in the volume of their labia majora, causing it to appear deflated or aged. Labia puffing may help. The procedure restores volume and fullness to the labia majora via dermal fillers or fat grafting.
Experts point to a few key factors contributing to Ozempic vulva:
Rapid weight loss:
The fast reduction in body fat doesn't allow skin and soft tissues to adapt, leading to sagging or volume loss in areas like the labia and pubic mound.
Muscle loss:
Alongside fat loss, muscle mass, including pelvic floor muscles, can decrease. This may reduce support and sensation in the vulvovaginal area.
Hormones and hydration:
Less fat means less stored estrogen, which helps maintain vaginal moisture and tissue health.
GI side effects like vomiting or diarrhea can cause dehydration, worsening dryness.
Microbiome disruption:
Since GLP-1 drugs slow digestion, they can alter gut bacteria. Because gut and vaginal microbes are linked, this may increase the risk of imbalances and infections
As per the NY Post, Dr. Michael Tahery, a board-certified OB/GYN in LA, noted on his website that the fillers used in labia puffing are comparable to facial fillers.
The tiny injections can last up to eight months a session and don't require recovery time. With fat grafts, a doctor injects a small amount of fat from the patient's thigh, abdomen, or elsewhere in their body into the labia.
'The benefit of this treatment is that it does not pose risks for rejection because it uses the patient's own fat,' Tahery wrote. 'The fat is easily reabsorbed by the body over time.'
Labiaplasty to reshape the labia and vaginal tightening to restore firmness to the vaginal canal may also provide relief.
Ozempic Vulva: Common complaints
What happens due to the phenomenon of Ozempic vulva? Medical professionals have outlined three key issues associated with this phenomenon:
Sagging or aged appearance of the labia:
Rapid fat loss can diminish the padding in the outer labia and pubic area, causing a 'deflated,' wrinkled, or aged look.
Pelvic weakness and vaginal looseness:
GLP-1 medications don't just reduce fat; they can also lead to muscle loss, including in pelvic muscles.
Women may feel reduced tone or looseness, impacting comfort and sexual experience.
Dryness and vaginal irritation:
Dehydration from GI side effects like nausea or diarrhea, along with hormone shifts that reduce natural lubrication, can lead to dryness and discomfort.
Other related symptoms noted include changes in vaginal discharge, odor, and infections, as the gut-vagina microbial balance may be affected.
Real women, real experiences
As reported by The Sun, 30-year-old Paige Osprey noticed sagging of her labia after losing three stone (≈19 kg) with weight-loss injections like Ozempic. She even mentioned what she called a 'cameltoe' effect in tight clothing, a visibility she found distressing. The changes interfered with intimacy and self-esteem. As reported by The Sun, Paige opted for a labia puffing procedure using hyaluronic acid filler, which some call 'the other lip filler,' and says it restored volume and confidence, even renewing her sex life.
What to do if you notice Ozempic vulva?
First and foremost, consult your healthcare provider if you experience dryness, sagging, or discomfort. Second order of business: hydrate well, especially if you're dealing with gastrointestinal side effects.
Consider supporting your pelvic floor health with exercises and moderating the pace of weight loss to give your body time to adapt. Topical solutions like lubricants, moisturizers, or probiotics can support vaginal health and balance microbiome risks.
Besides, cosmetic or reconstructive options such as labia puffing (fillers or fat grafts) or labiaplasty are available. However, these should be approached carefully and discussed with a qualified provider.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. 'Ozempic vulva' is an informal term and not a recognized medical diagnosis. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about medications, side effects, or treatments.
Inside Ozempic: Does the drug really help in weight loss and what are its possible side effects?
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