Shifts in dating behaviour have been reported by people taking weight-loss medication, including more confidence when it comes to asking people out and ex-partners getting back in touch.
The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University explored how GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are changing how people date.
A survey of 2,000 single adults in the US found that 8% used a weight-loss drug, and of those, more than half said the medication had at least one effect on their love life.
The findings showed that:
- 17% bought new clothing to show off their body
- 16% said they heard from former partners looking to reconnect
- 14% reported getting more matches on dating apps
- 13% felt more confident posting online photos of themselves
- 12% reported feeling more confident asking other people out
- 12% said they had more dates
With reports that around 12% of the US population have used weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Ozempic, researchers were keen to examine the social and psychological effects these medications may be having.
One of the study’s authors, Dr Amanda Gesselman, said: “GLP-1 use is rising among single adults and it’s starting to influence more than just how people look and feel about themselves.
“These shifts have the potential to reshape how people build intimacy in today’s dating landscape. For example, as users report reduced appetites and lower interest in alcohol, the classic dinner-and-drinks date may give way to new methods of connecting.”
The research highlighted how just over half of those using weight-loss drugs reported an impact on their sex lives, both positively and negatively, including:
- 18% said their sexual desire increased; 16% said it decreased
- 16% reported feeling more comfortable with how they look naked; 14% said they feel less comfortable
- 16% said their sexual function improved; 12% said it got worse
Dr Justin Lehmiller, another of the study’s authors, said: “I think there’s a very nuanced story to tell here. How these drugs impact your sex life will depend on a variety of factors, including drug dosage and drug type, speed of weight loss, starting and ending weight, and how much you changed your health and fitness habits at the same time.”
The survey revealed significant differences between men and women, with men reporting both more positive and more negative side effects of the drugs.
Men were twice as likely as women to report an increase in libido, were happier with their bodies and said they had improved sexual function, but men were also twice as likely to experience low libido since taking the medication, along with feeling worse about their bodies and reporting a drop in sexual function.
The research also found that weight-loss medication is boosting men’s dating lives more than women’s. Men were more likely to feel more confident in how they look, and more likely to report more online matches and dates.
However, more than half of men felt they would be judged for taking the weight-loss drugs compared to just 35% of women.