Reta side effect: low to no libido?

[black_tweets]

hi - I'm wondering if anyone else is facing this since starting reta. I started back in July 2025....started with really low doses (0.25mg) and up to 3mg/week. The weight loss has been gradual and AH-MAZING!! I'm at the weight I want to be and just using it now to maintain it. Problem is, I have no sex drive whatsoever. It wasn't out of this world to begin with, but it also wasn't nonexistent. I thought back to when it started and I feel the timing sort of matches up. Anyone else in the same boat? Wondering if it's just me or a side effect of reta?

 

[redbullwings]

To be honest, it makes sense. It could be related to Reta. There’s a variety of reasons for this.

Some people on GLP-1s/dual agonists notice a drop in sex drive, and it often ties back to the way the drug affects appetite, energy, and mood.

Even when you’re maintaining, you’re usually still eating fewer calories than before, and being in a lower-calorie state can leave you feeling tired and fatigued because your body is in a lower energy state and is adapting to less fuel. This is a well-known effect of calorie restriction — your body slows down and conserves energy, which can reduce libido.

Reta can also cause emotional flatness or reduced motivation for some people because it affects brain reward pathways, so things that used to feel exciting or desirable can feel muted. There’s also evidence that GLP-1 signaling affects the brain’s reward and motivation circuits, which helps explain why some people feel less motivated or emotionally flat.

On top of that, weight loss and reduced calorie intake can shift hormones like estrogen and testosterone, which can also impact libido.

So even if decreased sex drive isn’t listed as a common side effect, the combination of low energy, calorie deficit, emotional flatness, and hormone changes can POTENTIALLY factor in and alter it.

 

[BubbaZ]

To be honest, it makes sense. It could be related to Reta. There’s a variety of reasons for this.

Some people on GLP-1s/dual agonists notice a drop in sex drive, and it often ties back to the way the drug affects appetite, energy, and mood.

Even when you’re maintaining, you’re usually still eating fewer calories than before, and being in a lower-calorie state can leave you feeling tired and fatigued because your body is in a lower energy state and is adapting to less fuel. This is a well-known effect of calorie restriction — your body slows down and conserves energy, which can reduce libido.

Reta can also cause emotional flatness or reduced motivation for some people because it affects brain reward pathways, so things that used to feel exciting or desirable can feel muted. There’s also evidence that GLP-1 signaling affects the brain’s reward and motivation circuits, which helps explain why some people feel less motivated or emotionally flat.

On top of that, weight loss and reduced calorie intake can shift hormones like estrogen and testosterone, which can also impact libido.

So even if decreased sex drive isn’t listed as a common side effect, the combination of low energy, calorie deficit, emotional flatness, and hormone changes can POTENTIALLY factor in and alter it.

hi - I'm wondering if anyone else is facing this since starting reta. I started back in July 2025....started with really low doses (0.25mg) and up to 3mg/week. The weight loss has been gradual and AH-MAZING!! I'm at the weight I want to be and just using it now to maintain it. Problem is, I have no sex drive whatsoever. It wasn't out of this world to begin with, but it also wasn't nonexistent. I thought back to when it started and I feel the timing sort of matches up. Anyone else in the same boat? Wondering if it's just me or a side effect of reta?

I have been battling for about the last year and a half with this issue. I have literally had no desire.

Before Tirz I was always wanting to do things and about 4 months in I was down about 20 pounds but then my interest died. I hardly have been intimate with my wife in the past 16 months or so. Luckily she has been extremely understanding. But it’s been frustrating for me.

I have researched and although there is documentation that this is a possibility it is a rarity. Apparently has to do with the same mechanism that makes us crave food. Sort of a reward system.

I tried switching to Reta and it did nothing to help. So I thought that maybe I was stuck. But then read it could be the way antidepressants react with GLP1s. So I decided to try reducing my med on that front in half.

Two weeks later, I am not like I was, but I am finding I am wanting it more and more.

Maybe I am having wishful thinking, but if so, so be it. It is a welcome change!

Just some things to think of!

 

[Coachp25]

Have not had this experience myself. Quite the opposite really.

 

[articfox]

It could be from high cortisol levels, are you resistance training and eating well, do you mind if I ask your gender and age.

 

[theway85]

Yeah it's the opposite for me, like a raging bull

 

[Jax Teller]

hi - I'm wondering if anyone else is facing this since starting reta. I started back in July 2025....started with really low doses (0.25mg) and up to 3mg/week. The weight loss has been gradual and AH-MAZING!! I'm at the weight I want to be and just using it now to maintain it. Problem is, I have no sex drive whatsoever. It wasn't out of this world to begin with, but it also wasn't nonexistent. I thought back to when it started and I feel the timing sort of matches up. Anyone else in the same boat? Wondering if it's just me or a side effect of reta?

I did at 1st but after about a month it came back.

 

[black_tweets]

To be honest, it makes sense. It could be related to Reta. There’s a variety of reasons for this.

Some people on GLP-1s/dual agonists notice a drop in sex drive, and it often ties back to the way the drug affects appetite, energy, and mood.

Even when you’re maintaining, you’re usually still eating fewer calories than before, and being in a lower-calorie state can leave you feeling tired and fatigued because your body is in a lower energy state and is adapting to less fuel. This is a well-known effect of calorie restriction — your body slows down and conserves energy, which can reduce libido.

Reta can also cause emotional flatness or reduced motivation for some people because it affects brain reward pathways, so things that used to feel exciting or desirable can feel muted. There’s also evidence that GLP-1 signaling affects the brain’s reward and motivation circuits, which helps explain why some people feel less motivated or emotionally flat.

On top of that, weight loss and reduced calorie intake can shift hormones like estrogen and testosterone, which can also impact libido.

So even if decreased sex drive isn’t listed as a common side effect, the combination of low energy, calorie deficit, emotional flatness, and hormone changes can POTENTIALLY factor in and alter it.

wow! it's like you read me inside and out! I have been trying to put words around how I've been feeling and "emotional flatness" is exactly it! I went to my annual appointment and asked my doctor this same question...if at my age (42) it's normal not to be excited anymore and she said yeah, it's just part of life. But she also doesn't know I'm on reta. This explains it so well and I'm glad to hear I'm not alone. Thank you so much!!

 

[black_tweets]

I have been battling for about the last year and a half with this issue. I have literally had no desire.

Before Tirz I was always wanting to do things and about 4 months in I was down about 20 pounds but then my interest died. I hardly have been intimate with my wife in the past 16 months or so. Luckily she has been extremely understanding. But it’s been frustrating for me.

I have researched and although there is documentation that this is a possibility it is a rarity. Apparently has to do with the same mechanism that makes us crave food. Sort of a reward system.

I tried switching to Reta and it did nothing to help. So I thought that maybe I was stuck. But then read it could be the way antidepressants react with GLP1s. So I decided to try reducing my med on that front in half.

Two weeks later, I am not like I was, but I am finding I am wanting it more and more.

Maybe I am having wishful thinking, but if so, so be it. It is a welcome change!

Just some things to think of!

I never thought how it would interact with bupropion, which I take daily and it's the lowest dose. I'll try switching it to every other day and see if that helps. Thank you!!!

 

[black_tweets]

It could be from high cortisol levels, are you resistance training and eating well, do you mind if I ask your gender and age.

I workout 5-6x a week. It's a bootcamp type workout so some days are strength and some cardio. I'm female and will be turning 42 in a month. As far as eating well...not really. The appetite isn't really there but I do try to eat some protein but I'm not getting anywhere near even 50g a day which I know is really bad.

 

[BubbaZ]

I never thought how it would interact with bupropion, which I take daily and it's the lowest dose. I'll try switching it to every other day and see if that helps. Thank you!!!

Yep Bupropian for me. I went from 300 to 150. It definitely has helped.

 

[Bunts]

Just wanted to jump in here and add my 2 cents in!

Please note, I am not a doctor. This is just my findings.

6 months on Reta, with about 2 months 'au natural' calorific deficit before starting. I recently completed a full panel of blood tests as I too felt pretty 'flat' and also suffered quite badly with low libido. Instead of guessing, I wanted actual evidence as to what was going on as I feared something else may be at play.

Thankfully, nothing else as at play, so im very healthy!

However, and im not suggesting this is the case for you as only proper blood tests would say definitely, but my SHBG (Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin) levels are very high (81). I believe this is due to the sustained calorific deficit, sometimes 1000 calories below my TDEE, which has put my body into a form of 'fight' mode to protect itself.

As far as I understand it, from a laymans perspective, my high SHBG levels are 'scooping up' a large portion of my free testosterone in my body. This is whats causing the lack of libido and 'flatness' or 'tiredness' that I experienced.

Ive lowered my dose and upped my calories. This seems to have had a really positive effect, but not completely.

I hope this helps someone else in the same boat

 

[black_tweets]

Just wanted to jump in here and add my 2 cents in!

Please note, I am not a doctor. This is just my findings.

6 months on Reta, with about 2 months 'au natural' calorific deficit before starting. I recently completed a full panel of blood tests as I too felt pretty 'flat' and also suffered quite badly with low libido. Instead of guessing, I wanted actual evidence as to what was going on as I feared something else may be at play.

Thankfully, nothing else as at play, so im very healthy!

However, and im not suggesting this is the case for you as only proper blood tests would say definitely, but my SHBG (Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin) levels are very high (81). I believe this is due to the sustained calorific deficit, sometimes 1000 calories below my TDEE, which has put my body into a form of 'fight' mode to protect itself.

As far as I understand it, from a laymans perspective, my high SHBG levels are 'scooping up' a large portion of my free testosterone in my body. This is whats causing the lack of libido and 'flatness' or 'tiredness' that I experienced.

Ive lowered my dose and upped my calories. This seems to have had a really positive effect, but not completely.

I hope this helps someone else in the same boat

omg this is SO helpful!! I also did a full panel of blood tests (thank you Function Health!) and my SHBG is 92! When I saw that, I didn't think much of it because in the app, that's showing "within range;" on the higher side, but shows within rage so I thought nbd. I'm also thinking of tapering down the dose so hopefully I get some feelings and libido back. Thank you so much!!

 

[Bunts]

omg this is SO helpful!! I also did a full panel of blood tests (thank you Function Health!) and my SHBG is 92! When I saw that, I didn't think much of it because in the app, that's showing "within range;" on the higher side, but shows within rage so I thought nbd. I'm also thinking of tapering down the dose so hopefully I get some feelings and libido back. Thank you so much!!

Awh yay! Im so glad this helped you! Thank you for letting me know.

Just going off what I did: Go back to maintenance calories for a couple of weeks. Ensure carbs are kept up appropriately high, maybe even a smidge higher than you want. Also, healthy fats are crucial when it comes to hormonal balance (from what ive read!). That should do the trick and get you ready to continue on your journey!

Good luck