Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40666108›Full record

ArticleSexual medicine2025

Anorgasmia following initiation of GLP-1 agonist.

Vidya Visvabharathy, Sally MacPhedran, Katie Shupp, Benjamin King

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Sexual medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Vidya VisvabharathyDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Case Western Reserve University/MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44109, United States.
Sally MacPhedranDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Case Western Reserve University/MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44109, United States.
Katie ShuppCase Western Reserve University/MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44109, United States.
Benjamin KingCase Western Reserve University/MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44109, United States.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: According to the Obesity Medicine Association, obesity is a chronic, progressive, relapsing, multifactorial and treatable neurobehavioral disease. A small number of drugs have been approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss. Liraglutide, Tirzepatide, and Semaglutide are GLP-1 agonists and anti-diabetic drugs, and are some of the latest FDA-approved medications for weight loss. Up to 50% of patients experience gastrointestinal (GI) distress, a common side effect, while taking these medications. Other side effects include tachycardia, antibody-mediated angioedema, anaphylaxis, irritation at the injection site, and hypoglycemia. However, very little is known regarding sexual dysfunction as a side effect of GLP-1 agonists. The following case report discusses the potential negative impact on sexual function of these widely prescribed anti-diabetic, weight loss medications. The case report also discusses a proposed mechanism of action of GLP-1 agonists on sexual function. Aims: To report the sexual side effects and plausible mechanism of female anorgasmia from GLP-1 agonists. Methods: Chart review of the patient case was conducted. Consultation with a Doctor of Pharmacy was also requested for additional guidance on possible mechanisms of action of GLP-1 agonists on sexual function. Results: Several proposed mechanisms causing anorgasmia were theorized, the most likely being GLP-1 agonist vasoconstriction of smooth muscle, which results in reduced oxygen delivery and blood flow to the genitals. This may hinder genital engorgement and arousal, in addition to causing impairment of smooth muscle contractions essential for orgasms. Other mechanisms of GLP-1 agonist-induced anorgasmia may involve their signaling in the brain due to their presence in the hypothalamus. GLP-1 receptor modulation in the hypothalamus may decrease dopamine and norepinephrine signaling, which are neurotransmitters crucial for motivation, pleasure, and orgasm as well as disrupt pathways involved in sexual desire and arousal. Conclusion: Further investigation on the prevalence of sexual dysfunction with GLP-1 agonists and their mechanism of action is needed.

Indexed as

anorgasmiaGLP-1liraglutideobesitysemaglutide

Identifiers

PMID40666108
PMCPMC12260840

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.