'Ozempic vagina' is a shocking side effect of weight loss jab, says plastic surgeon. This is how they fix it
You may not have heard of it…or if you have, it might have been in hushed tones in a gym ladies’ locker room or over brunch.
But it’s a problem that can affect many women after they lose a lot of weight. Along with potential sagging of breasts, stomach, and arms, comes another worry: Ozempic vagina.
So-called because it can happen after a woman loses a lot of weight quickly, ‘Ozempic vagina’ refers to the sagging, loss of volume and plumpness that can happen around a woman’s genital area after weight loss, particularly after taking GLP-1 drugs such as Mounjaro and Wegovy.
Dr Shirin Lakhani from elite-aesthetics.co.uk says: ‘Ozempic Vulva’ refers to the appearance of the vulva when it has changed due to significant weight loss, which is often due to rapid weight loss such as from Ozempic or GLP-1 agonist use.
‘Rapid weight loss from GLP-1 medication use can cause changes in the face and throughout the body such as loose skin and sagginess. This can also appear in the vulva, especially the labia majora, which can appear deflated or saggy.
‘Changes in the appearance of the vagina are as we age, especially through menopause due to the changes in hormone levels, specifically low oestrogen, which can affect skin laxity. Changes due to GLP-1 agonists can accelerate these changes and can occur at any age.
‘The rise of medical weight loss injectables has made these treatments widely accessible, and the aesthetic side effects don’t discriminate by age.’
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Comfort and function
Dr Domenico Mileto is a plastic surgeon at mya.co.uk. He says: ‘Sudden weight loss, whether from lifestyle changes or weight loss injections, can impact skin elasticity across the body and the vaginal area is no exception.
‘A reduction in fat in the labia majora can leave the skin appearing loose or sagging, which in turn may cause irritation in clothing, discomfort during exercise, or even pain during sex. Most patients' main areas of concern when they approach us about surgery tend to centre around comfort and function rather than appearance alone.
‘Patients often tell us they feel restricted from wearing certain clothes like leggings, swimwear, or tight underwear; they avoid particular exercises such as spinning, running, or cycling because of pain; and in some cases, they also report issues with hygiene or recurrent infections due to excess tissue.’
So, what’s the treatment?
Dr Mo Akhavani is a plastic surgeon at theplasticsurgerygroup.co.uk. He performs labiaplasty – surgery to reduce the size of the labia minora – the flaps of skin on either side of the vaginal opening, which can lose plumpness as we age or lose weight.
‘Labiaplasty is one of our most requested procedures,’ says Dr Akhavani, ‘and we have seen a 75% increase in demand for this in the last two years.
‘We are also seeing increasing demand from patients who have been using weight loss medications as these can significantly affect the labial area. The majority of our labiaplasty patients are middle-aged women who have had children and sometimes lost significant amounts of weight too.
‘Many of them have noticed the way in which having children and also the natural ageing process has impacted their genital area and are keen to address this. For some patients the surgery is something which will address pain and discomfort, for example when wearing certain clothes.
‘For others it is purely to address the aesthetics of that area and restore it to how it once looked and felt, improving their self-confidence as a result.’
Dr Domenico Mileto adds: ‘While labiaplasty is sometimes wrongly labelled a purely cosmetic ‘designer vagina’ procedure, in reality, the majority of women seek it to regain comfort, improve their confidence, and get back to living without the limitations caused by excess or sagging skin.
‘A labiaplasty is a surgical procedure designed to reduce excess tissue of the labia minora, the inner lips of the vagina, to give a more balanced, neater, and often more comfortable result. Some patients also choose to combine it with a hoodectomy, which reduces the size of the clitoral hood.
‘The surgery itself takes around 30 – 60 minutes under general anaesthetic, and dissolvable stitches are used. Patients usually return home the same day. Recovery is relatively straightforward – most women experience some swelling and discomfort in the first couple of weeks, with a full recovery in around six weeks.
‘During that time, patients are advised to avoid sex, strenuous exercise, and tight clothing while the area heals. Costs for labiaplasty start from £4,995.’
Other options
Dr Shirin Lakhani says there are also other treatments available: ‘There are some fantastic, safe treatments to restore volume and rejuvenate the vulva: Labial filler can replace lost volume and restore the soft, natural look of the labia majora. It can also restore the protective cushioning element, thereby reducing discomfort.
‘RF skin tightening helps improve skin laxity, which is often another concern after rapid weight loss.’
RF (radiofrequency) skin tightening uses energy to target deeper tissues in the labia minora and majora. The heating causes new collagen formation and tissue contraction, leading to tightening and lifting.
Then, says Shirin, there is the ‘PRP – the ‘Vampire Wing Lift’ that uses the body’s own growth factors to regenerate tissue, boost collagen, and improve overall skin health in the area.
This non-surgical procedure uses the patient’s own blood for platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to be injected into the labia majora using a fine needle. It can also be combined with dermal filler.
Shirin adds, ‘It is used to plump and hydrate the labia majora, improve texture and colour, restore volume that may have been lost due to ageing, menopause, hormonal changes, or weight loss. There is minimal downtime, and it can improve both the appearance and comfort for the patient.’
Dr Akhavani says it’s important to first decipher why people are asking for such surgery: ‘We fully assess our patients and take a thorough history to determine the reasons that our patients are requesting labiaplasty.
‘If there is a genuine and apparent physical reason, we are happy to offer a labiaplasty procedure as we have seen significant physical and psychological benefit with our previous patients.’
Shirin Lakhani adds: ‘These treatments aren’t about vanity; they’re about confidence, comfort, and wellbeing. Women deserve to feel good in every part of their body, including their most intimate areas.’
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