GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Reduce Sexual Behavior in Female Rats and Mice, Raising Questions About Side Effects | Research

The takeaway

Both short-acting (exendin-4) and long-acting (liraglutide, dulaglutide) GLP-1 receptor agonists decreased sexual behaviors in female rodents, with species-dependent and drug-specific effects potentially involving altered brain neurotransmitter levels.

All 3 GLP-1R agonists reduced female sexual behavior
Both short-acting (exendin-4) and long-acting (liraglutide, dulaglutide) GLP-1 receptor agonists decreased sexual behaviors in experienced female rodents, though effects varied by species and drug.

What the researchers found

In female rats, the short-acting GLP-1R agonist exendin-4 reduced time spent with males, number of mounts, intromissions, ejaculations, darts, hops, and lordosis intensity. In female mice, the long-acting GLP-1R agonists liraglutide and dulaglutide reduced time spent with male mice and, consequently, lowered mounting and intromission duration.

Neurochemically, the effects in mice potentially involved increased noradrenaline levels in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) and altered glutamate, glutamine, and taurine levels in the lateral septum. Dulaglutide also decreased social novelty-seeking in the three-chamber test, while long-acting agonists increased sociability and novel object exploration time. Effects were both species-dependent and agonist-specific.

Why it matters

Millions of women take GLP-1 receptor agonists for diabetes and obesity, yet the effects of these drugs on sexual function in females have been largely ignored. This is the first study to systematically examine how these drugs affect female sexual and social behavior. Given the growing use of semaglutide and similar drugs, understanding their potential impact on sexual function is critical for informed prescribing and patient counseling.

How the study worked

Sexually experienced female rats and mice received either short-acting (exendin-4) or long-acting (liraglutide, dulaglutide) GLP-1 receptor agonists. Sexual behavior was assessed in paired encounters with males, measuring specific behavioral patterns. Social behavior was tested using the three-chamber social interaction test. Brain neurotransmitter levels were measured in the nucleus tractus solitarii and lateral septum.

What this study cannot tell us

This is an animal study, and sexual behavior in rodents may not directly predict sexual function changes in humans. The specific drug doses and their equivalence to human therapeutic doses were not detailed in the abstract. The study only examined female animals, and effects may differ in males. The observed neurotransmitter changes are correlational and do not prove causation. Chronic dosing effects and reversibility were not assessed.

How to read the evidence

This is a preclinical animal study using established behavioral paradigms in rats and mice. While the multi-drug, multi-species approach strengthens the evidence, rodent sexual behavior has limited direct translation to human sexual function. Human clinical data on GLP-1R agonist sexual side effects are needed.

When this study was published

Published in 2026, this is a very recent study addressing a timely concern given the explosive growth in GLP-1 receptor agonist prescriptions worldwide. Its findings are directly relevant to current clinical practice and patient counseling.

The bigger picture

This study adds to mounting evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists affect brain reward systems beyond appetite and food-related behaviors. Sexual behavior is a fundamental natural reward, and its reduction by these drugs aligns with reports of decreased alcohol consumption, drug seeking, and other reward-driven behaviors. As these drugs become some of the most prescribed medications in the world, understanding their full spectrum of behavioral effects — including potential sexual side effects — becomes increasingly important.

Questions still open

Do women taking GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide, liraglutide, or dulaglutide experience changes in sexual desire or function?
Are the sexual behavior effects reversible after discontinuation, or do they persist?
Could the brain neurotransmitter changes identified here be targeted to preserve sexual function while maintaining the metabolic benefits of GLP-1R agonists?

Common questions

Could drugs like Ozempic or Mounjaro affect sexual desire in women?

This animal study found that GLP-1 receptor agonists similar to these drugs reduced sexual behaviors in female rats and mice. While rodent studies don't directly predict human effects, the findings raise an important question that hasn't been well-studied in women. If you're taking a GLP-1 receptor agonist and notice changes in sexual desire or function, it's worth discussing with your doctor.

Why would a diabetes drug affect sexual behavior?

GLP-1 receptors are found throughout the brain, not just in areas controlling blood sugar and appetite. They are present in brain regions that regulate reward and motivation — the same circuits involved in sexual desire. This study found that GLP-1 receptor agonists altered neurotransmitter levels in these brain areas, which may explain how they reduce not only food cravings but also other reward-driven behaviors including sexual interest.

Read the original research

Short- and long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists decrease female sexual behaviors in experienced rodents.

Behavioural brain research, 504, 116085

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Shevchouk, Olesya; Edvardsson, Christian E; Ericson, Mia; Blid Sköldheden, Sebastian; Zhang, Qian; Dreher Nabinger, Debora; Snoeren, Eelke Ms; Westberg, Lars; Jerlhag, Elisabet. (2026). Short- and long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists decrease female sexual behaviors in experienced rodents.. Behavioural brain research, 504, 116085. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2026.116085