I’m gonna be honest with y’all — if there is one thing that irks me to no end when it comes to our culture, it’s the fact that we don’t talk about obesity enough. Even though, reportedly, four out of every 10 people in this country are considered to be obese and obesity is connected to everything from heart disease and diabetes to liver disease and certain types of cancer (for starters), it’s still a topic that folks continue to want to tip-toe around. And yeah, that’s not good.
For that reason, in my opinion, if there is an upside to this Ozempic craze that has taken over these days (I personally know at least six people who are taking it), I guess that would be it. Meaning, it’s at least nice to see folks having open and honest conversations about why it’s important to be concerned about how weight gain can impact one’s overall health and well-being (even if some’s main agenda is to simply alter their appearance more than prioritize their health).
However, I’ve also watched enough documentaries and done enough research to continue to champion “the old-fashioned way” of losing weight which includes eating healthy, exercising consistently, drinking water, getting at least six hours of rest every night and y’all — Y’ALL — being patient with the weight loss process over running to any semi-quick fix; especially since I’m quite aware of what the potential side effects of taking medications like Ozempic, Wegovy or GLP-1s (which are basically meds that can lower your blood sugar and promote weight loss) are — some, in particular, may catch you totally off guard (the hint is in the title).
If you know even a little bit about Ozempic, then you know that I can’t cover everything about it in one or even seven articles. Today, though, I do want to make sure that if you’re considering using it solely for weight loss purposes, you’re at least aware of what it is and what it can potentially do to your body including y’all — Y’ALL —your vagina.
What Is Ozempic?
GiphyThe easiest way to explain what Ozempic is, is it’s an injectable prescribed drug that has been approved to provide beneficial support to people who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. What it’s not (at least not yet) approved for is using it for weight loss purposes only (Wegovy is, though). So, why are so many individuals currently taking it for exactly that reason?
Well, the way that Ozempic works is it mimics a natural hormone in your system that signals to your brain that you’ve had enough to eat. Not only that but it slows down the digestion process in your system too. In fact, some say that the medication, in some ways, works similarly to how bariatric surgery does.
Something else to take note of when it comes to Ozempic is the active ingredient in it, known as semaglutide, which can definitely result in weight loss — in fact, diabetic medications, in general, can help people to shed pounds.
And so, since many individuals are able to reportedly lose as much as 15-20 percent of their body weight while taking Ozempic (some even start to see results after taking the first dose of it although significant results can take anywhere from 8-12 weeks), it’s no wonder that 1 in 8 Americans have either taken or are taking Ozempic (or some other type of GLP-1) medication and young people (especially female ones) are taking it now more than ever.
Because, after all, something that can help you to shed pounds, rather quickly, that sounds like the ultimate option, right?
Well, read this all the way through before you jump all the way in.
Why Are Some Potential Side Effects of Taking Ozempic?
GiphySo, before I get into the main purpose of this article, let me share with you some of the side effects that can come with taking Ozempic, starting with its price point. If your insurance is willing to cover it, you can find yourself paying no more than around $25 a month. Not bad at all. Okay, but what if it doesn’t? You can easily be looking at dishing out as much as a whopping $1,000 monthly — and since, again, it’s currently only approved for treating diabetes, this means that if you only want to take it for weight loss reasons, your insurance company is probably going to deny you.
Even beyond your bank account, though, it’s a drug that can bring some real challenges into your world. Some of the physical potential side effects of taking Ozempic include:
- Nausea
- Abdominal cramping
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Stomach Flu Symptoms
- Gas
- Fatigue
- Blood Vessel Damage (which can lead to vision problems)
- “Ozempic Face” (sagging of the skin and premature aging)
- Stomach Paralysis
In rare cases, Ozempic can also cause thyroid cancer, kidney issues, gallbladder disease, hypoglycemia, and pancreatitis, not to mention the fact that once you stop taking Ozempic, there is a great chance that not only you will gain the weight that you lost back…you can gain additional weight too (it’s called “Ozempic rebound”).
However, what really tripped me out, more than anything else (as far as the side effects of the drug goes), is taking Ozempic has the potential to switch up some things as far as your vagina is concerned too — and since you know that I like to talk about that particular body part a lot around these parts before I close out, please…let’s discuss.
What Can Ozempic “Do” to Your Vagina?
GiphyEven if you pretty much assumed that Ozempic had at least a few side effects (I mean, most medications do, although that list is pretty long, y’all), I’d venture to say that it never even crossed your mind that it could cause your vagina to go all NeNe Leakes on you by saying, “Now, why am I in it?” LOL. And yet:
1. Since Ozempic can cause extreme weight loss, that could throw your hormones out of balance which could alter the health and vitality of your vaginal tissues.
2. If Ozempic does result in you constantly vomiting or having regular bouts of diarrhea, that could lead to dehydration which could cause you to experience vaginal dryness, a sore vulva, vaginal irritation, a burning sensation when you urinate, pain or discomfort during sex and/or even vaginitis.
3. Something else that Ozempic has the potential to do is alter your gut which could result in more “bad bacteria” getting into your system which could result in yeast infections.
4. Since there is a chance that the potential drastic/rapid weight loss that comes with Ozempic can weaken your bones and muscles, vaginal laxity (looser muscles or tissues in your vaginal area including your labia) should also be a concern.
5. Ozempic can also lower your dopamine levels. This is important to keep in mind because dopamine is a “pleasure” neurotransmitter — and since a peak time when it’s heightened is during an orgasm, well…I’m pretty sure that you get where I am going with that, chile.
6. And boy, if this one ain’t a plot twist, some health professionals believe that Ozempic can also decrease the potency of your birth control (by delaying how fast the meds are able to get through your system).
Okay, so what if, after taking all of this in, you still want to give Ozempic a try? Well, for starters, really take whatever your doctor says is best seriously and literally. Next — and again — because the price tag is so high, avoid the temptation of going the generic route; that could give you so much more than what you bargained for (and absolutely not in a good way). Definitely keep in mind that you still have to bring some discipline into your life’s routine by eating healthy and exercising.
And when it comes to your vagina, specifically? Stay hydrated, take a probiotic, keep some vaginal lubrication nearby, do not ignore a drastic change in discharge or how your vagina or vulva feels, and speak with your physician about if you should take extra precautions as it relates to birth control.
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Is Ozempic a fad? In the wise words of one of my favorite throwback groups DeBarge, time will reveal. Please just make sure that before you decide to partake that you get as much information as possible — especially since — and it really can’t be said enough — it hasn’t been approved for weight loss (yet).
Especially since it can do some things to your vagina that I’m sure you would like to avoid.
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Anyway, I personally think that the less shallow folks out here may contemplate calling things “quits” or they at least distance themselves a bit from their partner (and what I’m referring to is serious relationships) due to all of the stress and strain that oftentimes comes with the holidays whether it be financial, familial, due to their tight schedules or something else.
Listen, I would hate for you and your man to miss the fun and happiness of experiencing this time of year, all because you are so overwhelmed or irritated that you can’t really enjoy it. That’s why I have a few practical tips for how to avoid allowing the typical holiday season stress from INFECTING your relationship.
Manage Your Expectations
GiphyUnmanaged expectations. If there is a main reason why the holiday season tends to be so stress-filled for so many people, I’d bet good money that this is the cause. And when you’re in a long-term relationship, expectations can manifest themselves in all sorts of cryptic and/or unexpected ways. You might have relatives who assume that you are going to be with them for Thanksgiving or Christmas when you have other plans in mind. You might be thinking that you are going to spend one amount for presents while your man is thinking something totally different. When it comes to scheduling, your signals may be crossed.
And you know what? To all of these scenarios, this is where clear and consistent communication come in. Don’t assume anything. Don’t dictate anything either. From now until New Year’s, mutually decide to check in once a week, just to make sure that you are both on the same page as it relates to the holidays and what you both are thinking will come along with it. The less blindsided you both feel, the less stressed out you will be. Trust me on this.
Set (and Keep) a Budget
GiphyOkay, so I read that last year, 36 percent of Americans incurred some type of holiday-related debt. Hmph. Last year, there was still some sense of normalcy in this country, chile, so I can only imagine what finances are gonna look like over the next several weeks. That said, since I don’t know a lot of people who don’t find being broke stressful, make sure that you and your bae set a budget and then stick to it this year — no ifs, ands or buts.
Because really, y’all — it doesn’t make sense to deplete savings and/or max out credit cards for a few days of giggles only to be damn near losing your mind because you don’t know how to make ends meet come Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
And by the way, this tip doesn’t just speak to things like food and gifts; I also mean travel. If it doesn’t make a ton of sense (or cents) to be all over the place this year — DON’T BE.
Keep Matthew 5:37 at the Forefront
GiphyIf off the top of your head, you don’t know what Matthew 5:37 says, no worries, here ya go: “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” That verse right there? Oh, it’s a boundaries lifesaver! I say that because do you see “maybe” or “I’ll think about it” in there? Nope. LOL. It says that you should tell people “yes” or “no” and leave it at that — and that complements Anne Lamott’s quote, “’No’ is a complete sentence” impeccably well. Yeah, you’ve got to remember that anything beyond a yes or no to a request is privileged information; you don’t owe anyone details or an explanation.
Besides, if you are really honest with yourself, when someone asks you something and you give a “Umm, let me think about it” kind of reply, more times than not, you already know what your answer is going to be — so why not let you both off of the hook? Give your response. Commit to that. And let everyone (including yourself) get on with their lives and schedules.
I promise you that when it comes to those holiday parties, you are pissing more folks off by not RSVP’ing or doing so and not showing up than just saying, “Thank you but not this year” off the rip.
Remember That Your Personal Space Is Privilege Not a Right
GiphyA friend of mine recently bought a new house and invited me over to come see it. He’s a single man with no children, so as I was taking in all of the space that he had, especially as I walked through his finished basement, I joked about relatives coming to live with him. “Hell no” and “absolutely not” were pretty much his immediate responses as he went on to say that some folks even had the nerve to be offended when he told them that he had no intentions on taking DNA in.
Ain’t it wild how people think that your stuff is their right? And yes, that brings me to my next point. Your home is your sanctuary space. If you want to host folks this year — cool. If not, ALSO COOL. Please don’t let folks (family included) guilt you into how they want you to act or even into what they would do if the shoe was on the other foot. You are not them — and as one of my favorite quotes states, “If two people were exactly alike, one of them would be unnecessary.” (A man by the name Larry Dixon said that.)
Hell, my friends? They know that I am good for sending them random things that they need or even want all throughout the year. Coming over to hang out at my pace, though. Uh-uh. Chalk it up to being a card-carrying member of the ambivert club yet I like keeping my living space personal — and I sleep like a baby, each and every night, for feeling that way.
Always remember that your space, your time, your resources, your energy and shoot, yourself period (including your relationship), are all things that are your own. You get to choose how, when and why you want to share them. The holiday season is certainly no exception.
Cultivate Some “You Two Only” Traditions
GiphyIt’s not uncommon for some couples to hit me up after the holiday season to “detox.” Sometimes it’s due to the financial drama (and sometimes trauma) that they experienced. Sometimes it’s because they allowed their relatives (especially in-laws) to get more into their personal business than they should’ve. More than anything, though, it tends to be because they didn’t get enough quality time together and so ended up feeling “disconnected.”
Please don’t let that happen. Listen, I’m not even a holidays kind of woman and yet, I will absolutely sit myself down with some hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies to enjoy a Hallmark holiday film or two. Aside from the fact that most of them are lighthearted and sweet, I also like that they usually focus on couples loving on each other amidst all of the holiday beauty and ambiance — which is something that all couples should set aside some time to do.
Maybe it’s a vacation. Maybe it’s a staycation. Or maybe it’s my personal favorite, A SEXCATION. Whether it’s for a few days, the weekend or even overnight — don’t you let the holidays go by without setting aside time for you and your man to celebrate one another. Don’t you dare (check out “Are You Ready To Have Some Very Merry 'Christmas Sex'?”).
GET. SOME. REST.
GiphyI once read that 8 out of 10 people get stressed out over the holidays and 3 out of 10 lose sleep during to it — and when you’re stress-filled and sleep-deprived, that can absolutely lead to hypersensitivity, making mountains out of molehills and even not being in the mood for sex.
Your relationship can’t afford to go through any of this, so definitely make sure to prioritize rest. I don’t care how unrealistic it might seem during this time, sleep should never be seen as a luxury; it will always and forever be a great necessity.
That said, try to get no less than six hours of shut-eye in (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”) and even ask your bae to take a nap with you sometimes (check out “Wanna Have Some Next-Level Sex? Take A Nap, Sis.”). Not only will sleep help to restore your mind, body and spirit but, when it’s with your partner, it’s an act of intimacy that can make you both feel super connected, even in the midst of what might feel like chaos.
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Holiday season stress is real. Still, never give it the permission or power to throw your relationship off. Put you and your man first and let the holidays be what they are gonna be, chile.
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