"Ozempic Penis" — What Urologists Actually Say

What Men Are Reporting

Scroll through Reddit's r/Ozempic or r/Mounjaro communities and you'll find dozens of posts from men claiming their penis "got bigger" after starting GLP-1 medications. These aren't isolated reports — the pattern is consistent enough that it's earned its own nickname: "Ozempic Penis."

Typical claims include gaining 1-1.5 inches in apparent length, with partners noticing the difference. But is this actually happening, and if so, why?

What Yale Urologists Say

We reviewed commentary from Dr. Stanton Honig, Chief of Reproductive and Sexual Medicine at Yale, who has addressed this phenomenon directly.

Dr. Honig's explanation aligns with established urological literature. The condition is formally known as "buried penis" or "hidden penis" — where a normal-sized penis is partially or fully concealed by surrounding skin, fat, or tissue.

The Medical Explanation: Buried Penis

According to the Cleveland Clinic, buried penis can result from:

• Excess fat in the pubic area (suprapubic fat pad)
• Loose or excess skin in the abdomen and scrotum
• Weakened ligaments that normally support the penis

When men lose significant weight — whether through GLP-1 medications, surgery, or lifestyle changes — the fat pad above the pubic bone shrinks. This reveals more of the penile shaft that was always there but was previously hidden.

The Sexual Medicine Society of North America notes that in mild cases, weight loss alone can resolve buried penis without surgery.

Could There Be Other Factors?

Beyond fat loss, medical experts suggest two additional mechanisms that might contribute to perceived changes:

1. Improved Blood Flow

GLP-1 medications have documented cardiovascular benefits. The SELECT trial showed semaglutide reduces major cardiovascular events by 20%. Better cardiovascular health could theoretically improve blood flow to the penis, potentially enhancing erectile quality (though not actual size).

2. Psychological Effects

Weight loss often improves body image and confidence. Multiple sexual health experts note that when men feel healthier and more confident, their perception of their own body — including their genitals — may shift positively.

What About Erectile Dysfunction?

Here's where it gets complicated. While some men report sexual improvements, research also shows a potential ED risk for some users.

A 2024 study in the International Journal of Impotence Research found that non-diabetic men ages 18-50 prescribed semaglutide for weight loss had a higher rate of erectile dysfunction diagnosis compared to matched controls (1.47% vs 0.32%).

Important context: The overall ED rate remained low (under 2%), and this was an observational study that can't prove causation. Researchers note that men with diabetes who take GLP-1s may actually see improved erectile function — the effect may differ based on metabolic status.

The Verdict

"Ozempic Penis" is real — but misleading.

The phenomenon men are experiencing is genuine, but the mechanism isn't what viral posts suggest. GLP-1 medications don't cause penile tissue growth. Instead:

• Fat loss in the pubic area reveals more of the shaft that was previously hidden
• Improved cardiovascular health may enhance erectile quality
• Weight loss can improve body image and sexual confidence

For men with significant pubic fat deposits, the visual difference can be dramatic — but the underlying anatomy hasn't changed. The penis was always that size; it was just buried.