GLP-1s double as not only a weight loss drug but also a dating confidence booster.
Fifty-nine percent of surveyed GLP-1 users report changes in their dating lives since taking the drug, according to The State of Us: National Study on Modern Love & Dating in 2025, a survey conducted by DatingAdvice.com in partnership with the Kinsey Institute.
GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Zepbound, and Wegovy have grown in immense popularity over the past few years. They have made headlines and become part of many celebrities’ health regimens for their unbelievably quick and effective weight loss results.
In fact, some public opinion polls suggest that as many as 12% of the U.S. adult population has tried one of these drugs, despite their high prices and spotty insurance coverage.
But the appeal of GLP-1s goes beyond just hitting weight loss goals. They also appear to impact mental health and self-esteem, showing how these drugs can influence far more than just physical appearance.
It’s undeniable that the rise of GLP-1 medications has transformed the weight loss industry. But how is it changing the world of sex and dating? Let’s explore that below.
Men More Likely to Report Dating Gains
While some may be hitting the gym to meet their fitness goals this summer, others are packing in an extra boost to reach their body goals: GLP-1s.
GLP-1 drugs have been shown to provide real results in helping people achieve their desired physique. But an offshoot of that result? Dating gains. Our nationally representative survey of 2,000 American adults reveals a direct correlation between GLP-1 use and dating confidence.
Nearly 1 in 10 of our survey respondents had used a GLP-1 drug for weight loss, and a majority (59%) reported some impact on their dating lives. Many reported increased body confidence and matches on dating apps.
Here are the most common responses according to respondents:
- 17% have purchased new clothing to show off their body.
- 16% say they have heard from exes or former partners who want to reconnect.
- 14% say they’re getting more matches on dating apps.
- 13% feel more confident posting photos of themselves online.
- 12% feel more confident asking other people out.
- 12% say they’re going on more dates.
When looking at gender splits, men were surprisingly more likely to report dating gains while taking GLP-1s than women. In fact, twice as many men said they were going on more dates after their fitness transformation.
Men were also three times more likely to admit to feeling more confident in their appearance due to GLP-1 than their female counterparts.
“These results suggest that GLP-1 medications are giving men a bigger boost in their dating lives than women,” says Dr. Justin Lehmiller, Senior Research Fellow at the Kinsey Institute and one of the study’s lead authors.
Lehmiller says a possible explanation for this shift could be attributed to dating standards. It is well-documented that average-looking men receive less attention and traction on dating apps than women with a similar appearance.
It is also a fact that women in general receive more matches online than men. So when a man experiences a significant change in his attractiveness, he’s more likely to notice its impact on his dating chances.
GLP-1 and Libido: The Highs, the Lows, and the Surprises in Between
GLP-1 drugs change sex lives for 52% of users, some report increased libido and confidence, while others lose the spark.
Just over half (52%) of surveyed GLP-1 users say the medication has changed their sex lives — some positively, some negatively.
For example, 18% of respondents reported an increase in sexual desire while 16% reported a decrease. Likewise, 16% said their sexual function improved compared with 12% who said it worsened.
Studies indicate rapid weight loss can cause drops in libido, while gradual shedding can increase it, possibly helping explain these extreme swings in outcomes.
“I think there’s a very nuanced story to tell here,” Lehmiller says. “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.”
“Sexually speaking, it appears that men are experiencing more positive AND more negative impacts of GLP-1 medications,” Lehmiller says.
Our findings also revealed sizable gender differences. Men reported higher levels of sexual function and libido than women. Though men were twice as likely to report improved sexual function and libido, they were also twice as likely to report lower levels than women after taking a GLP-1.
Lehmiller suggests these results may be due to higher levels of sexual activity among men. Our study found that women are more than twice as likely as men to say they haven’t had sex since taking the GLP-1 medication.
“It may not be that these drugs have more sexual effects on men, but rather that men in our sample are more likely to have noticed these effects since they have been more sexually active,” says Lehmiller. “It’s also possible that men and women have different reasons for taking GLP-1 medications, and perhaps men are more likely to try these drugs with the goal of improving their intimate lives.”
Fit, But at What Cost? The GLP-1 Gender Gap
Men are nearly twice as likely as women to feel judged for using weight-loss meds, highlighting how outdated views on masculinity still carry weight.
“Societal views on masculinity can make some men feel that using weight-loss aids undermines their identity, pushing them toward more conventional methods,” says Lehmiller.
Our study found that 60% of men expressed concern about being judged or shamed for taking GLP-1 medication, compared to just 35% of women who felt the same.
While men have reported more positive effects from the medications, they are also more worried about how they will be perceived for using the medication than women.
“I think using a GLP-1 drug for weight loss could have implications for a man’s perceived masculinity,” Lehmiller says. “To the extent that people see these medications as a ‘shortcut’ or ‘cheat code’ for losing weight, some men might worry that using the drug would make them appear ‘weak’ in the eyes of others.”
GLP-1s have done wonders for many daters, helping them achieve their desired glow-up status and higher confidence levels.
However, social perceptions of the medication’s role in weight loss still have room to evolve, hopefully toward more open, inclusive conversations about health and vulnerability.
Whether celebrated or questioned, the impact of GLP-1 drugs on modern relationships is undeniable — and still unfolding.
Methodology
The DatingAdvice.com and Kinsey Institute State of Us: National Study on Modern Love & Dating in 2025 was led by Dr. Justin Lehmiller and Dr. Amanda Gesselman, with data collected and conducted by Prodege.com among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 single U.S. adults ages 18 to 91 via an online survey from April 29, 2025, to May 8, 2025.
The sample was balanced to ensure a reliable and accurate representation of the U.S. population on age, gender, household income, geographic region, and race/ethnicity.
Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results.
For the interviews conducted in this study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.
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