Effects of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist dulaglutide on sexuality in healthy men: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial
PubMed 39232425 · doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105284
What was done
In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 26 healthy eugonadal men of normal weight (aged 18–50 years with active and satisfactory sex lives) were allocated 1:1 to receive dulaglutide or placebo for four weeks. Researchers evaluated sexual desire using the Massachusetts General Hospital-Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (MGH-SFQ), hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis hormones (total testosterone, FSH, LH), and sperm parameters, comparing outcomes with paired t-tests.
What was found
Twenty-four participants completed the study. No significant difference in MGH-SFQ score occurred after four weeks of dulaglutide versus placebo (estimated difference 0.58, 95% CI -0.83 to 2.00, p = 0.402). Similarly, no significant differences were seen in total testosterone (estimated difference 0.9 nmol/l, 95% CI -1.5 to 3.3), FSH (-0.2 IU/l, 95% CI -0.3 to 0.0), LH (-0.8 IU/l, 95% CI -1.5 to 0.0), or sperm parameters, all of which stayed within normal limits. No severe adverse events occurred.
Why it matters
While preclinical models suggested GLP-1 receptor agonists alter reward-driven sexual behaviour, this study provides initial human trial data indicating that short-term dulaglutide does not impair sexual desire, reproductive hormone levels, or semen parameters in healthy men.
Limits
The sample size was small (n = 24 completed) and treatment was limited to four weeks. The trial evaluated only healthy, normal-weight, eugonadal men, meaning the results cannot be extrapolated to patients with obesity, type 2 diabetes, baseline sexual dysfunction, or to prolonged clinical treatment.
Cited by
- contradicts GLP-1 receptor agonists deplete sex hormones including estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone when taken by individuals who are not obese or severely metabolically compromised.