EXCLUSIVE I'm suffering from 'Ozempic penis', the latest bizarre side effect caused by weight loss drugs
Gaining inches on Ozempic isn't what dieters want to experience.
That is, unless, the growth is occurring below the belt.
An increase in penis size isn't something advertised as a side effect of semaglutide and similar medications, but anecdotally it seems to occur.
Taking to Reddit, a fleet of male dieters have revealed how their penises seem to have grown after taking popular weight-loss medications like Wegovy and Ozempic.
In a thread on the anonymous posting site, one Redditor said that after three months on Ozempic, he lost a 'fair bit of weight' and now, his 'junk definitely looks longer.'
Asking if any other men had experienced the same phenomenon, many said they had.
While there is no evidence weight-loss medications increase length or girth of the penis, it could appear larger because of the loss of fat around the bladder area.
Improved heart health and blood flow after losing weight can also lead to stronger erections, making the penis appear longer and thicker.
Another commenter on the thread, titled 'So ummmm that's an unexpected benefit,' wrote: 'I used to joke with my wife that this was bulls*** "because we would've noticed two extra inches!" Turns out I did get it. It's when I'm flaccid.
'I was already pleased with what I had to work with, but that was definitely a nice, if surprising, confidence boost.'
In another thread, one man on weight loss drugs detailed a similar story.
He explained: 'I've lost about 60lbs in four months so far. The wife today told me that she thinks my penis is larger from the meds. Could it be some unseen side effect?'
In response, one female Redditor chimed in, writing: 'It does get bigger/more hard with weight loss. I can confirm this with my own husband's weight loss.'
However, many commenters say this phenomenon is not to do with the Ozempic and it is a common thing that happens with losing lots of weight on or off the drugs.
About 12 percent of US adults (31 million) have used a GLP-1 medication to lose weight, with around a quarter of this number being men.
One commenter revealed their hypothesis, writing: 'It's the weight loss around the pubic area.
'It just looks bigger - which doesn't suck - and probably works better.'
Offering a similar explanation, another Redditor said: 'That's pretty common when a guy loses weight. My partner lost about 120lbs or so and his definitely looks larger now.
'I don't think it actually does get larger, but losing fat around it gives it the appearance of being larger.'
Dr Kenneth Lipman, an expert in integrative health, told DailyMail.com losing weight around the belly area is what makes the penis looks bigger. It isn't actually growth resulting from the active ingredients in GLP-1 medications.
He said: 'Globally, average penis size has been trending upward for years, and Ozempic is now getting some of the credit - deserved or not.
'What it does do is help men shed belly fat, which can reveal more of the penis. For some, it's the first time in years they've seen it without a mirror.
'On top of that, improved metabolic health - especially in men with diabetes - can enhance blood flow and lead to firmer, more robust erections, which can look and feel larger.'
He added: 'Finally, consider that men just want bigger penises, and they may just be seeing what they want to see.'
Research shows that the average size of an erect penis in the US has increased by about 24 percent over the past 29 years, from an average of 4.8 inches to 6 inches.
And there are a number of penis lengthening procedures that people concerned about their manhood can opt for.
One of these is surgery to cut the internal ligaments that support the penis in the body, moving a portion of it downwards to increase the length.
Other techniques involve inserting a prosthetic to lengthen the penis.
Penis filler has been another trend to swell over recent years, with men seeking to get filler injected into the penis, similar to women who get it injected into their lips or cheeks.
While a larger penis is a benefit, people on Ozempic and similar drugs have reported less desirable side effects such as fatigue, abdominal cramps, vomiting, depression and a decreased libido.
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