Weight loss: the never-ending battle women consistently deal with throughout our lives. The dream of being able to find a product or a system to “lose weight quickly” always seems to be within grasp as the next fad diet, workout routine, or miracle drug is discovered. The big thing in weight loss that has been gaining attention rapidly in the media is the use of Ozempic: a medication approved by the FDA in 2017 to treat Type 2 diabetes. But now it is the latest and greatest way to also see weight loss results. We have seen wild success stories online, throughout social media, and celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Amy Schumer who have admitted to taking the drug. However, recent discussions have brought to light potential concerns about the effects of Ozempic on women’s health.
A diabetes drug being repurposed for weight-loss has to come with some side effects, right?
Understanding Ozempic and Its Intended Use
The appeal to use Ozempic is hard to resist. It’s the friend who promises to help manage your sugar cravings and keep those pounds in check. What more could a girl ask for? But how does it work its magic? It all comes down to the main active ingredient: semaglutide, which basically impersonates a hormone called GLP-1. This gut hormone’s main function is to stimulate insulin secretion and to inhibit glucagon secretion. To put it simply, it keeps blood sugar levels in check and suppresses your appetite. Sounds great, right? But as the old saying goes: if things are too good to be true, they probably are. If taking semaglutide didn’t have any consequences, wouldn’t everyone be prescribed it like a daily vitamin? What are the side effects that aren’t being widely advertised?
The Fine Line Between Solution and Concern
Imagine Ozempic as that shiny, glossy lipstick promising the perfect pout but not disclosing the fine print about drying out your lips. Now, one can deal with the disappointment of unintended chapped lips. For a drug that’s being injected into their body, you should be a little wearier of the side effects and their lasting consequences. While Ozempic might be helping control blood sugar and weight management, what is it in turn doing to a woman’s hormonal balance? Any slight in that balance and a women can experience undesired issues both in their physical and mental health.
When it comes to matters of your menstrual cycle, fertility, even your heart health, it is important to proceed with caution. Especially when studies are now showing that Ozempic can aid in pregnancy. It’s important to do your research and find reputable sources –– not just trusting the dancing girl on TikTok that endorses the latest craze.
Navigating the Information Maze
The truth is everyone’s experience is different. And at the end of the day, it comes down to what is best for your continued health and wellness. But it is important to keep asking the questions. Try to have the full picture of information before making the decision to use the drug or not. Part of that full picture is getting your information from multiple sources and asking for second opinions. Ensuring as well that sources that don’t have a stake in the drugs’ continued success. Usually, your best place of information will come from those sources without bias or something to gain.
Where Do We Go From Here?
As we watch how this latest health fad plays out, we must continue to ask questions. We must demand more transparency when it comes to our health and wellness. With some of these latest trends having lasting impact on a woman’s long-term health, it’s important that the choices that we make as women regarding our health decisions are as informed as they are empowered.
