5 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
‘It’s not him, it’s his hormones’: The truth behind Voy’s controversial Tube adverts
‘It’s not him, it’s his hormones.’
Every woman has been belittled at some point in her life for being overly ‘hormonal,’ whether that’s by a doctor or in a particularly toxic relationship.
So, it took me back to see this very same insult instead being levelled at men, as part of a slew of adverts I saw popping up on the Tube.
Encouraging men to check their hormones, the posters are from Voy, a company that offers weight loss treatments like Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Orlos, as well as testosterone and menopause treatments.
At first, it might seem insensitive to suggest that men’s hormone levels also fluctuate — or that they have it as bad as women. To say the tag line made my eyes roll is an understatement.
It’s also all kinds of problematic to dismiss bad behaviour as being ‘down to hormones’. But this isn’t just a tongue-in-cheek, headline-grabbing advertising campaign: there’s some truth behind it. Men should be more on top of their hormones. It’s just a shame we’re recycling old insults to get the job done.
A spokesperson for Voy tells Metro that the campaign is about tackling stigma, insisting it’s not intended to rage bait, or downplay the hormonal injustices that many women continue to face.
They state: ‘Men are often taught to brush off hormonal symptoms or feel embarrassed by them, which stops people from getting support.
‘These ads are deliberately plain-spoken to make the issue feel normal, recognisable and worth talking about.’
Do men’s hormones fluctuate?
As Dr Jeff Foster, men’s medical director at Voy, explains, men’s hormones fluctuate on a daily basis, rather than a monthly or yearly cycle.
He tells Metro: ‘We naturally produce most of our testosterone in the early hours of the morning (between 5am and 8am), and then it gradually declines over the rest of the day.
‘Small things you do, like exercise, might increase it a little, but generally it is a daily repeatable peak and then drop as the day drags on.’
Across their lifetime, men will also see a gradual decline in testosterone, particularly from the age of 30 onwards (by between 1 and 2% each year). And, even if they’re super healthy, this will still inevitably drop.
‘Other things will affect this, like lifestyle factors, or even mild medical problems such as blood pressure, asthma or diabetes,’ Dr Jeff adds.
They’re also massively affected by multiple external factors such as sleep quality, diet, exercise, medical problems, age, which means that actually it is a really sensitive hormone which can fluctuate wildly.’
There’s also the term ‘male menopause,’ (also known as the ‘andropause’) which, as Dr Jeff explains, was coined to try to help people outside of the medical field understand the changes in male hormones with age.
However, as he notes, while there’s strong evidence that testosterone levels decline with age, unlike the menopause, not every single man is affected. And not everyone needs to be on replacement therapy, as the key to treating low testosterone is identifying a cause, as it can be improved with lifestyle tweaks, such as sleeping better or working to reduce stress.
Dr Jeff says: ‘The male Massachusetts ageing study suggested that about 12% of men over 40 have the condition, about 40% of type two diabetic men have the condition, and we think overall about 25% of all men will have biochemical low levels of testosterone.’
‘The symptoms of low testosterone in men are also very similar to menopause in women and are characterised by loss of libido and or erectile dysfunction, loss in muscle mass, increase in body fat, brain fog, irritability, changes in memory and mood, and an increase in various other health problems such as osteoporosis and heart disease.’
Why is testosterone so significant in the first place?
He says: ‘There is good evidence that low testosterone in men is associated with an increase in multiple medical conditions, including increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures, an increased risk of metabolic disease and type two diabetes, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, cognition and memory problems, changes in body shape and societal and relationship issues.
‘In fact, evidence suggests that low testosterone is associated with an increase in overall mortality. Effectively, if you have a testosterone deficiency, you are just more likely to die sooner.’
Women and hormonal imbalances: Systemic injustice
Two things can be true at once.
Yes, there needs to be more education around the hormonal changes that men experience.
We also need to be mindful that every women is affected by the menopause, an often life-changing stage that can’t solely be treated by lifestyle tweaks.
A 2018 study shows that 80% of women live with some form of hormonal imbalance, many of whom don’t realise; 70% are completely unaware that they’re living with PCOS, which can signify hormonal irregularities.
Menopause also signifies a huge upheaval in women’s hormonal regulation, and some women aren’t always given the life-improving care they deserve.
According to one 2024 report, women from Black, Asian and low socioeconomic backgrounds are statistically much less likely to be prescribed treatment than their more affluent, white counterparts.
Across 1.85 million female patients, 5.2% of Black women have been prescribed HRT (hormone replacement therapy), compared to 6.2% of Asian women and 23.3% of white women.
Do men’s hormone levels fluctuate as intensely?
No, men’s hormone levels don’t fluctuate as intensely as women’s do. But, as Ollie Matthews, a nutritionist specialising in male hormonal health, shares, it’s for this reason that it can go unnoticed.
‘Men don’t experience menopause in the same way, and there’s no sudden shutdown in hormones, but the concept is real and very much a problem in today’s society,’ he tells Metro.
‘Other hormones will also shift, it isn’t just testosterone, I always look into thyroid, cortisol, insulin and glucose management in my clinic.
‘Suicides are at a very high level right now, and some studies say the highest for nearly 30 years. Men in their 40s are the most at-risk demographic, andropause is one of the biggest factors in this.’
As Ollie adds, men need to understand that testosterone does matter.
He concludes: ‘Fatigue, low sex drive, low moods, waking through the night, they’re a lot to deal with. Being given anti-depressants or being told they need to “practice wellbeing” is quite frankly irresponsible.
‘We need to be able to take responsibility for our own health, and our own lifestyle makes a big impact on our hormones, not just testosterone.’
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
5 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
7 best wireless headphones that make workouts and workdays stress-free
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
If January had a soundtrack, it would probably be on mute. The festive buzz has faded, the weather’s doing its thing, and concentration feels harder than ever. The solution? Wireless headphones that actually deliver.
Whether you’re trying to focus at work, power through a workout, or simply shut out the world for a bit, the right headphones can make all the difference.
From noise-cancelling heroes to gym-ready earbuds, we’ve rounded up the best options to help you tune out distractions, boost your mood, and get back into the groove – whatever your January routine looks like.
Shop The Best Wireless Earphones:
Marshall IV Minor Wireless Earbuds
An iconic brand in the world of music, Marshall’s products never fail to deliver on impeccable sound. The Marshall Minor IV Wireless Earbuds feature intuitive touch control which offer a powerful audio experience in a compact design. Packing up to 30 hours of total battery life makes them a reliable everyday choice for music lovers who value style and sound quality.
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Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
If one of your new years resolutions is to jump on the active bandwagon, then the Powerbeats Pro 2 are ideal for workouts and active lifestyles. Their adjustable ear hooks ensure a secure fit, while delivering a brilliant bass and crisp sound. With Apple’s H-series chip, they offer fast pairing, low-latency performance, and seamless device switching. Sweat and water resistance, they have a battery life of up to 24 hours.
Sony WH-CH520 On-Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
If earbuds aren’t your thing then why not get yourself a pair of lightweight headphones that will do the same job without compromising comfort. Sony’s WH-CH520 headphones are a brilliant alternative. Lightweight, comfortable, and affordable, they provide impressive sound quality for the price thanks to Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine which restores detail in compressed audio. They also boast an impressive battery life with up to 50 hours.
Shokz OpenSwim Pro
Designed and developed specifically for swimmers, the Shokz OpenSwim Pro uses bone conduction technology to transmit sound whilst keeping your ears open and unobstructed when partaking in sports like swimming, hiking, and sprinting. Fully waterproof and built to withstand open-water and pool use, it features built-in MP3 storage so you can listen without a phone.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are a standout investment for anyone seeking industry-leading noise cancellation. Powered by advanced active noise-cancelling technology, they effectively block out distractions while delivering rich, immersive sound – meaning you can go about your commute with peace not chatter. The StayHear™ Max tips provide a secure yet comfortable fit, ideal for long listening sessions.
Soundcore C40i Wireless Open-Ear Clip-On Earbuds
If you’re not fond of an over-the-ear design, or don’t trust small earbuds, then the Soundcore C40i earbuds offer a unique open-ear, clip-on design. This effortlessly allows you stay aware of your surroundings while enjoying clear audio. Using acoustic technology they minimise sound loss while delivering balanced sound. Lightweight and pressure-free, they’re ideal for long wear, whether commuting or working out.
JBL Tune Beam 2 In-Ear True Wireless Earbuds
You don’t have to splash the cash for the gift of great sound. Affordable yet reliable, the JBL Tune Beam 2 earbuds deliver JBL’s signature bass-driven sound in a compact, wireless design. Active Noise Cancelling helps reduce background noise, while Smart Ambient mode keeps you aware when needed.
Make your New Year’s resolutions that bit easier, with a great soundtrack, podcast or audiobook in your ears this 2026.
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5 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
Ex-special agent says it’s easy to ‘read people’ if you look for two things
Evy Poumpouras, a former special agent for the US Secret Service, shared tips for ‘reading people’
5 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
H&M Move’s new Wellness Edit is the affordable activewear you’ll want to workout in
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
H&M is one of our favourite high street brands, but we don’t just rely on it for on-trend staples, blazers, and denim; its athleisure gear is equally as impressive too, otherwise known as H&M Move.
H&M Move has expanded over the years, and has included durable, supportive and comfortable gym gear to rival the likes of Lululemon, Gymshark, Nike and Vuori.
Thankfully, H&M Move is set to launch a new Wellness Edit that will include a new SculptMove collection that features gym leggings, sports bras, tops, sweatproof ensembles, as well as waterproof jewellery – niche, but we need it.
SculptMove is a new design from H&M Move. The SculptMove leggings have been crafted to contour the wearer’s body, which are also practical for intense activities, including Pilates, Hyrox, and HIT sessions.
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The designs have been crafted from a recycled nylon and elastane fabric blend, which is supportive but moves with your body too.
This collection comes in an array of colours, including black, white, soft sand and pomegranate berry tone.
For those of us who are looking to for this new line to officially drop online and in stores, which is all part of H&M’s plan. The Wellness Edit has been designed to encourage customers to move their bodies in whatever form they prefer.
Speaking about the collection, Marie Fredros, Head of Design at H&M Move, shared: ‘This collection is about glowing from the inside out, facing the future with purpose and power, and feeling excited. We wanted to channel all the energy, anticipation and transformation that comes with starting a new year into pieces that will make you feel and look like the best version of yourself.’
From flared leggings to classic designs, a long-sleeve top, zip-up jacket to hot pants, playsuits, sports bras, and everything in between, this set covers all bases.
Plus, the new H&M Move collection also includes hand and wrist weights, as well as a non-slip mat towel for your home workout, a frosted tote bag to replace your weathered gym bag, and swimsuit. If that wasn’t enough, H&M Move has added waterproof and sweatproof jewellery that won’t tarnish after your sweaty workouts.
We mentioned that H&M Move’s new collection covers all bases, which also expands to beauty gadgets to give your face a workout, such as a face roller, gua sha, eau de parfum, as well as make-up.
The 38-piece collection sees prices start at £15.99 and fetch up to £44.99, which is a reasonable price range if you ask us.
We’ve picked out our favourite items, which you can shop right now – but you might want to be quick!
5-pack Sports Socks with DryMove™
Stay cool and comfortable during every workout with H&M Move’s sports socks.
Made from soft, fine-knit DryMove™ fabric, they wick away moisture to keep you dry while you move.
Designed with ventilating mesh panels, arch support, and reinforced heels and toes for durability, plus ribbed shafts and elasticated tops for a secure fit.
Medium Support Sports Bra with SoftMove™
The H&M Move sports bra is designed for ultimate comfort and support. Made with SoftMove™ for a super-soft feel and contouring fit, plus DryMove™ to wick away moisture and keep you dry.
It features a round neckline, adjustable lined cups with removable inserts, and a brushed elasticated hem.
Offering medium support, it’s perfect for Pilates, strength training, and other moderate-intensity workouts.
Water-Repellent Padded Sports Jacket
Stay protected from the elements with this lightly padded jacket, crafted from windproof, water-repellent fabric to keep you dry during light showers and shielded from the breeze.
Designed in a regular fit with a stand-up collar, front zip fastening, and zipped side pockets, it also features elasticated cuffs and a drawstring hem for a secure fit.
Fully lined for comfort.
Sports Leggings With SoftMove™
These high-waisted sports leggings from H&M Move are crafted with SoftMove™ for unbeatable softness and contouring support, plus DryMove™ to wick away moisture and keep you dry during every workout.
Finished with a wide waistband for a secure, flattering fit.
Sports Top with DryMove™
Stay dry and comfortable while you move in this long-sleeved sports top, crafted with DryMove™ technology to wick away moisture.
Designed in a slim fit with a classic round neckline and straight-cut hem for a sleek, streamlined look.
Perfect for layering or wearing solo during your workout.
Sports Joggers
Upgrade your off-duty look with these lightweight sports joggers, crafted from soft sweatshirt fabric for all-day comfort.
Featuring an elasticated waist and hems for a secure fit, plus handy side pockets for your essentials.
Perfect for lounging or low-impact workouts.
Sports T-shirt with SoftMove™
This slim-fit sports T-shirt is crafted with SoftMove™ for a super-soft feel and contouring comfort, plus DryMove™ to wick away moisture and keep you dry.
Finished with a classic round neckline and straight-cut hem for a sleek, streamlined look.
Medium Support Sports Bra with SoftMove™
This sports bra combines comfort and performance with SoftMove™ for a super-soft, contouring fit and DryMove™ to keep you dry.
Featuring a round neckline, slim double straps that cross at the back, and removable inserts for a custom shape.
Finished with a brushed elasticated hem, it offers medium support – which is perfect for moderate-intensity workouts.
Sports Twist Top with DryMove™
This cropped sports top is designed for performance and style, featuring DryMove™ fabric to wick away moisture and keep you dry.
With a slim fit, V-neckline, twist-front detail, and long sleeves with thumbholes, it’s perfect for adding a chic edge to your workout wardrobe.
Waterproof Hoop Earrings
Sweatproof style? These waterproof hoop earrings are designed to withstand your toughest workouts without losing their shine – perfect for gym-to-street looks.
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It wasn’t until after Dawnie Brooks had to move into a care home that her daughter Rosie uncovered the heartbreaking extent of her struggle to conceal her memory loss.
As she and her brother Jake were clearing out their mum’s house, they discovered hoards of paperwork, cluttering surfaces and stuffed into random crannies.
Among them were documents that detailed just how much Dawnie, 59, had tried to hide what was happening to her. Such as when she had taken sick leave in February 2018 after her three days a week as a support worker for a brain injury charity had become too much.
Looking through the piles of paperwork, Rosie managed to piece together just how much Dawnie’s employers had tried to support her through errors that her family had no clue about.
‘It was heartbreaking to read about these struggles. I also found out that she’d had a couple of minor car accidents and had to go into the police station to pay fines for damage done to other people’s vehicles,’ Rosie, from Gloucester tells Metro.
‘She’d kept it hidden from us, as she was clearly ashamed – especially as she had been a motorbike instructor when she was younger.’
When Rosie asked Dawnie why she wasn’t driving somewhere, she would say the distance was too far or she was too busy. In reality she now realises, her mum probably couldn’t remember the route.
‘She’d been trying to hide her symptoms while desperately trying to understand what was wrong with her.’
The two had always been close. But Rosie, now 39, didn’t realise how bad things were until she returned to Dawnie’s Worcestershire home in 2018 after six months away with the RAF.
They shared a horse, Mr Bud, who lived nearby and it was at the yard where Rosie first saw that something was seriously wrong.
‘Mum kept saying, “He’s really naughty. He won’t let me put his bridle on.’” But she was standing there holding it out like he’d magically put his head inside it. And she tried to use a brush to try and clean his hooves instead of a hoof pick,’ she recalls.
At 57, Dawnie had visited Mr Bud twice a day for 18 years – but she could no longer fathom the basics of horse care.
‘She would forget to fill his water bucket or keep his vaccinations up to date, which she had never done before. These were huge warning signs, but she just blamed being busy at work,’ Rosie remembers.
‘Around the same time, I took her for afternoon tea. She picked up a scone, looked confused, and asked, “What’s that? What do I do with it?” Then she ate it like a cupcake – no jam, no butter. And she had been a trained chef.
‘Another occasion, she’d left a pan of pasta on the gas cooker hob before heading up to have a shower, almost causing a house fire. Luckily she realised what had happened before it burnt completely dry.’
It was chilling for Rosie, whose paternal grandfather had suffered from Alzheimer’s. As her mother grew increasingly forgetful and repetitive, she knew in her heart Dawnie was struggling with the early symptoms of dementia.
However, when she and Jake took her to the GP their concerns were dismissed. Instead, the doctor blamed stress, depression, and menopause for their mum’s memory loss. Over the next 15 months, further opportunities for diagnosis were missed.
How to sign up to our 2026 Metro Lifeline challenge
This year Metro.co.uk is proudly supporting Alzheimer’s Society for our 2026 Lifeline campaign.
On Saturday 13 June 2026, we’re inviting our readers to take on an unforgettable challenge: an epic hike through the stunning Cotswolds countryside — all to help support people living with dementia.
Choose your distance: 25km, 50km or 100km.
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For our ‘everything you need to know’ guide, click here – or if you’re already raring to sign up, click here.
Dawnie went back and forth to the GP on multiple occasions over the previous two years, as she knew something was wrong. Even when she suffered an eye bleed in 2018 and was given a brain scan, the dementia was not picked up.
It was only a year later when reviewing the scans, her consultant psychiatrist spotted shrinkage in the parietal lobe – a clear sign of dementia.
‘There were so many missed chances. She kept getting told she was too young. But we both knew something was really wrong. It was devastating watching her personality slip away,’ Rosie says.
As time went by, Dawnie was no longer able to care for her horse and then she had to surrender her driving licence. Each changing moment filled Rosie with dread. ‘I didn’t know where to start. I was scared for her, scared for us, and I just thought – how are we going to cope?’ she explains.
‘Early support is so important. You’re trying to figure out how to pay the mortgage while also navigating this terrifying new reality. I was 31, Mum was single, and I knew my life was about to change dramatically. Dementia only goes one way. It was overwhelming.’
It wasn’t until March 2019, that Dawnie was finally diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s Disease, a condition shared by more than 70,800 people in the UK, according to the Alzheimer’s Society.
Sign up to Metro’s Lifeline challenge to help those impacted by dementia
‘I was with her at the doctors’ for the diagnosis. It was a weird mix of emotions. Relief, because we finally had an answer. But fear too. I didn’t know how fast things would decline.’
Her mum said little after the appointment. Rosie believes she was trying to protect her daughter. They went out for coffee and cake, then to visit Dawnie’s father, then in his late eighties.
‘She immediately wanted to tell him, but she couldn’t remember the name of the condition. She asked me to explain. He was crestfallen. It was so sad.’
From then on, Rosie and her brother Jake stepped in fully, making the most of their time together. But Dawnie’s decline was swift. Just as they’d adjust to a new normal, she would deteriorate again.
Rosie helped her mother visit Mr Bud and even got her into the saddle for a while, until it became unsafe. They ticked off bucket-list experiences, including a helicopter ride from Staverton Airport, where Dawnie saw the Malverns, her home and Mr Bud’s field from the sky.
‘She loved it. She had a really childlike spirit, so we took her to Cadbury World, Warwick Castle and the safari park. She even did a sea lion meet-and-greet. People were so kind and patient with her.’
As Dawnie’s health declined and the hospital and social care appointments piled up, life became stressful and overwhelming for Rosie and her family. ‘Every time we got used to a change, something else would shift. It was hard when she forgot how to use the toilet.’
Eventually, Rosie had to care for her mum full time, with the support of Jake at weekends, as they couldn’t leave her for more than an hour at a time as she would become too distressed.
‘She wasn’t safe at home,’ she remembers. ‘I keep wondering, if she’d started treatment earlier, could we have slowed it down? Given her a better quality of life?’
Eventually, Dawnie made the decision herself to move into a care home. ‘She didn’t want Jake and me to give up our lives. She still had that emotional intelligence of “I’m your mum. I don’t want you looking after me.”’
In March 2022, Dawnie moved to Beechwood Care Home in Upton-upon-Severn, where she received ‘incredible care’, Rosie says. But because it was still impacted by Covid, they could only make limited visits, talking to her through a cracked-open window.
‘It was awful. The care staff were amazing, but we couldn’t even hug her,’ Rosie remembers.
Despite everything, Dawnie could still experience joy. On a trip to the Severn Valley Railway, Jake announced he and his wife were expecting a baby and his mum lit up.
‘We thought she’d forget straight away, but she didn’t. She couldn’t remember who was having the baby, but she remembered there was going to be a granny. When we got back to the care home, she told everyone,’ recalls Josie.
Jake’s son was born in December 2022 and Dawnie was overjoyed to meet him.
As the family did everything they could to keep her comfortable, providing reiki therapy, foot spas and essential oils, Dawnie found calm in the unexpected, listening to heavy metal in her room, tapping her foot to Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath.
Rosie also found support from the Alzheimer’s Society to be a lifeline. ‘Their guidelines were invaluable. One support worker, Gordon, visited her after diagnosis and took her to local support groups. He was so kind, so patient.’ And through their befriending service, Dawnie was paired with a woman who helped her visit Mr Bud.
But by late summer 2022, Dawnie was experiencing hallucinations, paranoia and extreme emotional distress, caused by delirium. The following year she lost her ability to speak and by 2024 Dawnie, who had always loved food, became unable to eat. It was a brutal and emotionally gruelling time for the family.
Dawnie passed away at age 63 in April 2024.
‘Losing her was surreal and horrific. I was glad she wasn’t suffering anymore, but I still miss her so much,’ says Rosie, who inspired by the care her mum received, and her own work with community health carers, is now training to become a mental health nurse.
‘I want to do something meaningful. People helped us in our darkest moments, and now I want to do the same for others,’ she explains.
Rosie’s grateful for the memories, and for the fact that until the end, Dawnie never forgot who they were.
‘So many people say the worst moment is when your loved one doesn’t know you anymore. But Mum always knew us,’ she says.
‘You could see it in the way she looked at us, held our hands. We were lucky. Not everyone gets that.’
A spokesperson for Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust told Metro: ‘We understand that waiting for a diagnosis can be an anxious and uncertain time for patients and their loved ones. We strive to provide timely assessments, post-diagnostic support, and specialist advice tailored to each person’s needs, helping patients and families feel supported while in our care.
‘While we’re unable to comment on individual cases, we would encourage anyone who has concerns about their care to reach out to the team involved or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). This ensures concerns are heard and responded to appropriately.‘
Alzheimer's and dementia: the facts
The most common forms of dementia (symptoms of a decline in brain function) are Alzheimer’s disease followed by vascular dementia.
Alzheimer’s is caused when plaques and tangles form in the brain making it increasingly hard for it to function properly. Early symptoms include forgetting recent events, struggling to remember words, becoming disorientated in familiar places and finding it difficult to concentrate.
Common early symptoms of vascular dementia include problems making decisions or following a series of steps, such as cooking a meal; slower speed of thought and trouble sleeping. The condition can also cause significant mood changes and depression and make people behave completely out of character.
Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer – and one in three babies born today will develop dementia in their lifetime. The risk of developing both Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia roughly doubles every five years from the age of 65. Women and men are affected equally. Diabetes, obesity, heart problems and high blood pressure all increase the risk.
However, you can significantly reduce your chances of developing the diseases by leading a healthy lifestyle – not smoking or drinking to excess, eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise. Keeping mentally and socially active is also beneficial.
The third most common form of dementia – accounting for an estimated 20 per cent of cases – is Lewy body. With this condition, tiny clumps of protein appear in the brain’s nerve cells, causing a range of issues including mood swings, problems processing thoughts, hallucinations, difficulty balancing and walking slowly. Although DLB (dementia with Lewy body) can affect people under 65, it is much more common as we age, affecting men and women equally.
There is currently no cure for any of the forms of dementia. But getting an early diagnosis is very important in allowing you and your loved ones to access all the medical and social support available. If you are worried that you have any of the symptoms, your GP will be able to refer you to a specialist who can carry out a range of tests.
If you are worried that yours or someone else’s symptoms may be dementia, download the Alzheimer’s Society symptoms checklist, on alzheimers.org.uk; for more information or support on anything you’ve read here, call our support line on 0333 150 3456 or visit our website.
4 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
‘I was scared to take antidepressants, but they saved my marriage – and my sex life’
After years of grief, night shifts, new parenthood and sheer exhaustion, Sally McIlhone finally turned to her GP for help last spring.
She explained that the weight of stress and feeling overwhelmed had become too much, and at 40, Sally was prescribed the antidepressant sertraline – something she’d long resisted.
It turned out to be a life changing moment.
Five years earlier, Sally met her husband Paul, then a police officer, just before lockdown. But their relationship was immediately tested by heartbreak: an ectopic pregnancy in 2020, followed by months of fertility treatment. When they finally welcomed their son, they weren’t prepared for how tough early parenthood would be.
‘Paul was doing nights, we weren’t sleeping, and I was having to juggle everything,’ Sally, from Hampshire, tells Metro. ‘It affected our relationship and him mentally.’
Managing his role alongside having a new family was untenable and Paul ended up leaving the police. However, further devastation followed a year ago, when the couple went through an incredibly traumatic few months that not only saw them lose their baby girl at 16 weeks, but also find out that Paul’s father had terminal cancer.
On top of that, the family had moved house, while Paul was diagnosed with PTSD. Sally describes the time as feeling like they were being buffeted from tragedy to tragedy.
‘I was taking on more and more of the household and parenting responsibilities, trying to keep all these plates spinning when I was drowning,’ the marketing manager from Hampshire remembers. ‘I was probably underestimating how depressed I was.’
At their lowest point, both she and Paul both threatened to leave the marriage. ‘We were arguing a lot and sleeping in separate rooms,’ Sally explains.
It was a brutal time, where she felt like she ‘was at the bottom of a pit with no hope of getting out’. When Sally finally sought help from her doctor, she prescribed sertraline, a common antidepressant from the SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) class. However, she was hesitant to take the first dose, as stigma and other people’s opinions clouded her judgement.
Instead, she reached out on Instagram, asking: ‘Where my sertraline girls at? I’ve got questions.’
The response floored her. ‘So many friends and colleagues came out and said they’d been on it. People I never would have guessed. Some said it didn’t work for them, others said it was a game changer.’
Sally decided to give the pills a go and after after a few weeks of nausea and sleeplessness, she felt something shift. ‘As soon as it kicked in, I felt so much better,’ she remembers. ‘I thought – Why hadn’t I done this years ago? There’s this myth that enduring pain makes us stronger, but actually it can just wear away at you.’
The effect of the medication was like ‘turning off half the TVs in my brain’, Sally recalls. ‘Before, I’d overanalyse everything. If people didn’t text me back, I’d spiral. Now I just care less. I don’t obsess. I don’t feel the need to make everyone like me.’
And the change had a ‘huge impact’ on her marriage, she adds.
‘We communicate in a way that’s not as reactive. We give each other space when we’re pissed off. We don’t bite. We’re calmer,’ explains Sally. ‘He’ll hold my hand, give me a hug. He tells me I’m beautiful, that he loves me. That’s made such a difference.’
While she’d read that sexual side effects of SSRIs can be problematic for people on antidepressants, Sally insists she found the contrary. Their sex life, once a casualty of stress and grief, has since flourished. ‘It’s been the direct opposite of what I feared. Because we’re communicating and I feel emotionally safe, I feel sexual again and confident,’ she says.
‘We talk about what we want, and we’ve found that spark again. It doesn’t have to be lingerie and fantasy. It’s about being close, feeling loved, and wanting each other.
‘Paul’s the best sex I’ve ever had. He knows what to do and he knows my body. He knows what works for me and I’m glad to have that back. I feel like a better version of myself,’ she says. ‘This is the version I’ve always wanted to be.’
Some might say that Sally was fortunate, as new research from sexual wellness brand Lovehoney has found more than half of anti-depressant users experience sexual dysfunction, with millions of British experiencing low libido and difficulty reaching orgasm. Two in five (40%) people on antidepressants are having less sex overall and 42% say they masturbate less frequently than before, according to the data.
With roughly one in six adults in England (8.89 million) currently taking prescribed antidepressants, it equates to more than 4.6 million people experiencing reduced sexual desire as part of their treatment, the findings add.
It’s something Chris Glennon can relate to, as he’s been taking anti-depressants in various forms for nearly 20 years to manage the symptoms of depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder.
As a result, he has suffered from a lack of sex drive, erectile dysfunction, numbness and loss of feeling.
‘It was so frustrating and those side effects impacted my mood and self esteem, because you feel the measure of a man is how you perform sexually. And when I did come, it felt like the censored version. Nothing like how it usually felt,’ housing worker Chris, 46, explains.
Although he has also been prescribed Viagra, which he says helped a little, it hasn’t been a cure-all.
‘I still wanted sex. It wasn’t that sort of primeval of desire for it. But [with Viagra] it’s like having a metal rod, there’s still no feeling,’ Chris tells Metro. ‘It felt like having sex with someone else’s body. The girls I have been with loved it because it was great, and it did last quite a long time, but for me it was so numb often I wouldn’t come at all.’
The sexual side effects have affected all his romantic relationships, Chris adds.
‘Having just met someone and having to explain to someone with a high sex drive that you don’t want sex – they do take it personally,’ he admits. ‘In the past that definitely put a strain on things. Some girls just didn’t understand and took it like a rejection.’
His current girlfriend has been patient and pragmatic. When Chris stopped medication for a few months, sex felt vivid again but following a severe dip in mood and therefore a new prescription, his libido dropped again.
‘The times that I stopped taking it was like a lovely treat, because it feels like a release. It’s like the shackles have been taken off, you feel like a teenager again,’ he explains.
Chris is keen to talk to other men about the issue, as he knows how difficult it can be to bring up sexual side effects at the start of a relationship or in a GP appointment.
His advice is to push past the discomfort.
‘The conversations that you’ll have are far less awkward and embarrassing than you’d expect. Give it a try – the alternative is just accepting your fate as it is,’ he adds.
‘There is help out there, and there are professionals to talk to. SSRIs aren’t for everyone, but they’re not the only option. Therapy that can really help, either alongside or on its own. Just to speak to people about how you’re feeling, because it can only help.’
How to talk to your doctor about your sex life and antidepressants
Lovehoney’s sexual function expert GP Dr Anand Patel says sexual side effects are well-known but rarely discussed openly: ‘Antidepressants work by boosting serotonin levels, which can help lift mood and ease anxiety. But serotonin can also slow down the brain’s arousal and reward systems, meaning reduced desire, dulled pleasure and delayed orgasm.
‘The good news is that for most people, these effects are temporary and manageable. With the right medical support – such as dose adjustments, medication changes or therapy – sexual wellbeing can absolutely be restored.’
Top tips:
1. Don’t be afraid to have a conversation with your doctor. Remember that this is common. You can simply say: ‘I’ve noticed some changes in my sex drive since starting this medication, is that something we can talk about?’
2. Know what questions to ask your healthcare provider if you are being prescribed anti-depressants. Questions like: ‘How likely is this medication to affect my sex drive?’, ‘Are there alternatives?’, and ‘If I notice changes, what should I do?’ are completely valid.
3. Regular exercise, good sleep, stress management, mindfulness and relationship therapy can all help improve libido while continuing antidepressant treatment for those looking at lifestyle changes first.
‘Can I get HIV if we share this sandwich?’
The question arrived without warning – no drumroll, no build-up, just slipped across the table between bites.
A guy I’d known for years muttered it over lunch, eyes glued to the tabletop, suddenly sheepish, as if the sandwich might leap up and infect him on its own.
I nearly choked on my crisp.
‘No, you can’t’, I replied with the careful calm of someone who has explained this before, and will, apparently, explain it again.
After 20 years of living with HIV, I wish I could say I was shocked by his question. But I’m not.
Shock requires novelty.
These moments are rare but continue to happen, because some people still carry Stone Age ideas about transmission.
They have no awareness about PrEP, which is a daily pill or occasional medication taken before you’re exposed to HIV, or PEP – a 30-day course of medication you take after a potential exposure to HIV.
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In other words: science has moved on but some people haven’t.
Nor do they seem to know that being Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U), as I am, means that the virus cannot be passed on. There is zero risk.
It’s why, over the years, I’ve had people ask if I’m ‘clean’ – as if HIV were dirt, not biology.
They focus on what I’m doing about it – like whether I’m on treatment, how I got HIV, or what my viral load is – but rarely do they pause to consider what they might do differently, such as take the time to learn about HIV.
It’s part ridiculous, part sad and exhausting. But it also shows why my story matters and just how much work remains.
I was born in 1983, the year HIV was first recognised as a public health crisis rather than ‘the gay plague’.
But growing up under Thatcher’s Britain – with Section 28 silencing queer education – meant my references came from the bleak Don’t Die of Ignorance tombstone adverts and EastEnders, where Mark Fowler sped off on his motorbike after seeing ‘AIDS Scum’ graffiti.
That’s why the moment I was diagnosed in my early 20s, I panicked.
After being told I was HIV positive by the doctor, the alien phrases – ‘CD4 count’, ‘viral load’ – quickly followed. But all I remember thinking, and then asking was: ‘What does this mean for my sex life? What kind of positions are safest? Can I still do blow-jobs?’
‘There’s a lot more to it than blow jobs, Dan,’ the doctor smiled. How right he was.
A week later, I told the man I’d been with – a one-night stand I’d met on a dancefloor – that he should get checked. He vanished with no reply.
It was my first lesson in how silence can land harder than words.
For years after I bottled it up, tried to ignore it and even refused to start my HIV medication because I was terrified of the potential side-effects of the medication, such as night terrors, nightmares and pigment loss.
But really, I think I feared what the medication represented – the reality that I could no longer pretend it wasn’t happening.
That’s when my doctor gave me one last weekend to myself before he would support me through a more rigorous and integrated HIV medication plan.
The next day, I collapsed in the shower. My viral load was sky-high, my CD4 count dangerously low. Technically, I had AIDS.
That was the wake-up call.
Having decided to face my fear head-on, my best friend threw a party where we all painted our feet white as a potential farewell to my pigment, danced, screamed to loud music and laughed in defiance.
That was 15 years ago.
Today I’m undetectable, which means I can’t pass HIV on. I’ve had brilliant lovers; I have an HIV- child, a chosen family of activists and have had the privilege of speaking at Pride with ACT UP London, demanding healthcare for all who need treatment and global access to PrEP.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t continue to face discrimination.
Aside from the sandwich guy, I’ve had a myriad of conversations that were silly, rude and sometimes unintentionally funny.
One time, someone I once worked with whispered: ‘If we share a toilet will I get HIV?’
Then there was a man last year who offered to buy me a pint, because he didn’t ‘know how long I’d got left’ and it ‘might be our last.’
Have you ever been asked a shocking question about your health?
-
Yes – I hated it
-
Yes – it made me laugh
-
No, not yet!
I made him buy me a bottle of champagne.
Fortunately, I’ve also had brilliant, heart-restoring encounters – like with the circus performer who laughed when I nervously disclosed my status and said: ‘I think everyone does by now and of course it’s not an issue’.
My current lover told me before we first slept together: ‘I’m on PrEP. It’s all good. What do you enjoy? What would make you most comfortable?’.
It was the first time in 16 years someone had asked me that, and it lifted a weight I’d been carrying ever since diagnosis – the unspoken responsibility to protect everyone else.
His words were compassionate and informed by allyship. A total contrast to the man who asked me if he’d ‘catch another strain of HIV’ if we slept together.
But a few shining moments is not enough. I want to see more education, access to treatment for everyone, more compassion, more truth.
A mentor of mine once said: ‘You can either internalise prejudice and stigma, or you can confront it and say, ‘It’s your fear, not mine – let’s talk about it’, and I’ve never forgotten that.
Stigma isn’t ours to carry. It belongs to a society that hasn’t learned enough.
So let’s teach kids about PrEP and U=U in schools. Let’s talk about HIV without whispering and stop asking if people are ‘clean’.
Above all, we must protect funding to support all our HIV services and our precious NHS, because if that crumbles, HIV will never be a thing of the past.
And if you ever share a sandwich with me, have no fear. The only thing you’ll catch is a bit of my sparkle.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing M.Navarrogriffiths@metro.co.uk.
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As I placed Hugh’s shoes – the ones he wore to run around the garden – gently on the doorstep of Number 10 Downing Street, silence descended.
Reporters didn’t flash their cameras. Police bowed their heads. And my wife and I fought hard to swallow the emotion of the moment.
Because those shoes didn’t just represent my son who, in 2021, died from Rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer at the age of just six, they represented thousands of children like him, and of parents like Frances and I trying to handle their devastating loss.
Before Hugh got sick, he was the brightest, kindest, funniest little boy you could imagine, constantly trying to make his little brother, Raife, laugh.
He was pure joy personified.
We never thought anything bad could happen.
But when he was five the symptoms began. They were small at first – a bit of tiredness, not wanting to eat, a change in his energy – yet within days, his belly had swollen like a football. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen before.
While he never complained and was just a little uncomfortable, I felt it in my bones that something was wrong. My wife called the doctors, who quickly saw him that afternoon and sent him to the local hospital for some tests.
At 3am, my wife and I sat down with the doctors where they told us every parent’s worst nightmare: Hugh had cancer.
I remember seeing Hugh sitting upright in a bed, drinking juice and smiling, completely unaware that the world had just been ripped apart around him.
That night he got in an ambulance with Frances and travelled to hospital.
The doctors did everything they could for him: chemotherapy, radiotherapy, transfusions, over months when the hospital became our second home.
Frances and I slept next to machines on beds that barely fit one of us. We lived off the remnants of a busy M&S, knew the nurses by their first names and the Play team – the unsung heroes of the children’s wards – provided us with much needed moments of sanity so we could leave Hugh to have a wash or a coffee.
Outside of that though, we received no support.
No financial protection. No structured mental health pathway. Nothing that supported our other son at home who didn’t understand why Mum and Dad kept disappearing for days, weeks on end. Nothing that recognised the trauma we were in and what was about to come.
We felt totally alone, isolated, forgotten – not that we ever showed any of that weakness in front of Hugh. The treatments caused him to lose his beautiful blonde hair and weight fell off him, but it never altered his spirit or strength. He was so brave. Braver than I’ll ever be.
And then came the moment no parent can prepare for.
On September 8 2021, the day he was due to go back to school, Hugh fell ill. He was admitted back to hospital, sadly the doctors told us the treatment wasn’t working and he didn’t have long.
I don’t remember much after those words, just the feeling of trying to keep myself upright while the world fell apart and asking the consultant, in desperation, what we should do. He told us to ‘be strong.’
In a world where mental health, male suicide and being kind is at the forefront, I found the prescription of ‘being strong’ insulting – especially for someone who was witnessing the demise of his first born son. I couldn’t believe that was the best they could offer me.
As we walked out of the room where we were told Hugh was going to die we expected a blanket of support and protection to be thrown over us, but we got nothing.
For the next 10 days, Frances and I stayed in the same room as Hugh.
On Saturday 18 September 2021, Frances laid next to him on his left and I sat on his right in a chair holding his hand. We held him, kissed him and, as the machines were turned off, I told him that I love him, he was safe but that he didn’t have to fight anymore. He could rest. He could be free.
At 11.20pm, I felt his pulse beat twice very quickly and then, nothing. He was gone. Free of everything that he had been put through those last 10 months.
The days and weeks after were a blur of grief, silence, and the kind of pain that sits deep in your stomach, making you feel constantly heavy. But we had to keep pushing forward.
In October, I completed the London marathon for Alice’s Arc, a charity that attempts to find a cure for Rhabdomyosarcoma. I’d promised Hugh I would go ahead with it, and we even buried him with the medal I received around his neck. He would have been so proud.
Not long after, the idea of It’s Never You – a charity providing emotional support and practical help to other parents facing the unthinkable – was founded.
We wanted to ensure that absolutely nobody went through what we did alone. Because throughout Hugh’s illness, and especially after he died, one thing became crystal clear: every parent in a paediatric acute crisis is being failed by the current system.
There’s no mental-health support, no structured pathway, no financial stability, and no help for siblings watching their world disappear. We wanted to change that.
Since then, It’s Never You has grown into a lifeline for families across the country. We’ve supported thousands of parents through crisis, treatment, relapse, remission and grief. We’ve given counselling, community, practical guidance, advocacy, peer support and a place to feel human again.
But we still wanted to do more. We wanted to see real, practical change made at an institutional level.
That’s why, in 2023, I began campaigning for Hugh’s Law.
The idea was simple: if your child is critically ill, you should have the legal right to be with them without losing your job or income. And over the past three years, we’ve worked tirelessly to build a national movement which culminated in that moment in Downing Street.
Across two days in October this year, I carried a 20kg rucksack – which is the same weight Hugh was when he died – while walking over 100km from the hospital he died in to No.10.
It had been emotionally and physically taxing, my legs were shaking and aching when I finally reached the Whitehall gates, but I knew, the moment I put his shoes on the doorstep, it had all been worth it.
Over 150 MPs and Lords united to sign our document asking for support for parents of seriously ill children.
If approved by the government, it could change the landscape of care in the UK, and I hope it will mean no parent walks this path alone ever again.
I just hope that, wherever he is, Hugh is proud of the work we do. Everything I do, everything this charity fights for, is for him.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk.
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3 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
These five simple stretches before bed could cure your terrible sleep tonight
Why is it that an uncomfortable bed in the evening feels like heaven by morning?
One word: stress. A busy mind and tense body can convince you you need a new mattress at 11pm, but by 8am wakeup, we feel the benefits of the night’s rest and, ironically, can feel more able to relax.
The good news is, you might be able to skip to the good part. Fitness instructor and author Eloise Skinner has provided Metro with an exclusive five-minute, pre-bed stretch routine to help the mind and body unwind.
I’ve personally tried it for the past three days, and it’s honestly been so useful for switching off my busy brain and reducing the urge to crack my back after settling into the pillows.
If prioritising better sleep is your New Year’s resolution, these five simple moves are for you.
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1. Standing forward fold with 2 x variations
From standing, gently tuck your chin to your chest and roll forwards and down, ending up in a gentle forward fold. For the first variation, allow your knees to bend gently and perhaps rock side to side, if that feels comfortable.
For the second variation, try interlacing your hands behind your back and gently bring them up and over your head for a deeper shoulder stretch. To return from this, bring your hands back to your hips, and then allow them to separate and slide down your legs.
2. Hip-opening floor stretch
Making your way down onto the floor (either a yoga mat, or comfortable floor space), bring the soles of your feet together and allow your knees to fall outwards. Here, you can take a forward fold with your upper body – only to the extent that it feels comfortable for you. You could also support your knees with pillows or bolsters. Take a few deep breaths before rolling back up.
3. Forward fold floor stretch
Lengthening your legs away from you, take a gentle forward fold over both legs, remembering to bend your knees if it feels more comfortable.
4. Reclining hamstring stretch
Rolling down slowly to your back, bend one knee in towards you, and take a gradual bend and stretch of your hamstring. You can also bend your supporting knee if this feels more stable. Take a few rounds on one leg, before swapping sides.
5. Reclining twist
Bending one knee in towards you, guide it across your body using your opposite hand, for a reclining twist. Try to keep both shoulders fairly anchored to the mat / ground, and you can also look away from your knee to take the stretch into your neck. Spend a few breaths before returning to centre, and swapping sides.
Other tips for better sleep in 2026
Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, a sleep expert, physiologist and author, previously gave Metro the following tips for improving the quality and quantity of your sleep.
Limit stimulants and screen time before bed: Minimise consumption of caffeine and avoid heavy meals, nicotine, and alcohol close to bedtime, as they can disrupt sleep patterns. Additionally, reduce exposure to electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers, as the blue light emitted can interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep.
Establish a consistent sleep schedule: Aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Consistency helps regulate your body’s internal clock and improves the quality of your sleep.
Create a relaxing bedtime routine: Develop calming bedtime rituals, such as reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practising relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation. These activities signal to your body that it’s time to wind down and prepare for rest, even helping to reduce levels of cortisol – the stress hormone.
Try a herbal remedy: For centuries, valerian root has been commonly used for its sleep-inducing properties. It works by promoting relaxation and reducing feelings of stress and anxiety, both of which are common triggers for sleepless nights. Herbal remedies offer a safe over-the-counter solution to support a restful night’s sleep with less chance of waking in the night and feeling groggy in the morning.
Optimise your sleep environment: Make your bedroom conducive to sleep by keeping it cool, dark, and quiet. Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows, and consider using blackout curtains, white noise machines, or earplugs to block out disturbances.
3 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
I’m proof ‘Ozempic penis’ exists — weight loss jabs gave me a huge boost in bed
Admiring his new physique in the mirror, James* finally felt confident. Gone was the middle-aged spread and the gut that had been expanding rapidly over the past year.
Now, he was seeing muscles he’d never noticed before and looking at least 10 years younger. But that wasn’t the best bit of his transformation.
As he stood stark naked looking at his reflection, James couldn’t help but notice that his penis also looked bigger than usual — and it was all down to ‘miracle’ weight loss drug Wegovy.
The 55-year-old tells Metro: ‘I’m not one to jump on celebrity fads, but I needed a little bit of an extra push. Dieting is the most painful, boring thing in the world and I’d heard a lot about Ozempic, so I did a lot of research and decided to give it a go.
‘If it’s good enough for Sharon Osbourne, it’s good enough for me.’
A semi-professional sportsman of two decades, James stepped back from competing last year, and alongside the fact he no longer had fitness targets helping him stay in shape, he found himself eating – and drinking – out of boredom.
Wegovy facts
- Wegovy, a brand name for semaglutide, is a GLP-1 inhibitor medication that targets the parts of the brain that regulate appetite and promotes the release of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. This makes people feel fuller, reducing hunger levels and cravings for high-fat foods.
- Alongside Mounjaro and Saxenda, it’s one of three GLP-1 drugs prescribed by the NHS specifically for weight loss (whereas Ozempic – which uses the same active ingredient as Wegovy – is only approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes) and is also available to purchase privately through specialist pharmacies.
- According to the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), it can help reduce the risk of heart and circulatory disease in people living with excess weight.
- Wegovy is self-administered weekly with an injector pen, into the upper arms, stomach, thighs or buttocks.
- It’s not a magic cure though. Patients still need to change their diet and reduce the amount of calories eaten to see effects, and regular exercise is also recommended. Additionally, there is evidence of weight regain when people stop using Wegovy.
- Common side effects of semaglutide include sickness, diarrhoea or constipation, headaches, tiredness, heartburn and bloating, while rarer problems can include gallbladder disease, inflammation of the pancreas, an increased heart rate and kidney issues.
Although he was still exercising daily – clocking up an impressive 1,000km every month from cycling alone – when he stepped on the scales after a particularly indulgent Christmas, he decided things needed to change.
So, 10 months ago, James started taking Wegovy. ‘I think it’s a miracle drug, to be honest,’ he says.
Getting rid of the dangerous visceral fat around his organs was the primary motivation for changing his lifestyle, but James admits: ‘Sure, I wanted to look a little better too.’
It was easy to get hold of Wegovy, which is a brand name for semaglutide and works in a similar way to Ozempic (though the latter isn’t approved solely for weight loss in the UK, where it’s specifically prescribed for the management blood sugar in type 2 diabetes patients).
After putting his details into an online pharmacy – James admits he ‘lied’ on the application form to make sure he qualified – a fancy package of injectables arrived in the post.
Describing the process of giving himself a jab in the stomach each week, James says: ‘It doesn’t hurt at all – you don’t even feel it.’
He began to feel the effects of the drug almost straight away though, becoming full after less food and having fewer cravings.
At £160 to £260 (depending on the dose) per month, it’s not cheap, but James reckons he’s actually saving money overall.
‘My weekly shop went down by £40 or £50 easily, and that’s not including wine and Deliveroos which I spent about £80 to £100 a week on,’ James explains. ‘I’ve also saved a lot on toilet paper – I only go once a day now.’
After his first injection in February 2025, the tech business owner claims he has lost 20% of his body weight in just six months. It’s not just about dropping the kilos though, as James’s blood pressure and visceral fat are both now back within a healthy range – and he’s even sleeping better and not snoring.
‘My body is in as good a condition as it’s ever been,’ he continues. ‘I’ve got muscles in my forearm I never knew were there, I’ve lost fat and my muscles have come out. And my thighs look ridiculous.’
What is 'Ozempic penis'?
Some men have claimed that taking GLP-1 injections hasn’t just helped them lose inches from their waist, but has also added inches to their manhood — and even improved their performance in bed.
The phenomenon, which has been dubbed ‘Ozempic penis’ on forums like Reddit, may be due to reduced fat around the pubic region which can make the penis appear larger.
Dr Nidhi Kansal, an internal medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, tells Daily Mail these welcome side effects may also be caused by increased testosterone levels as a result of weight loss.
Obesity in men has been linked to low testosterone, which can make you feel tired, lower your sex drive and impact erection quality, potentially making the penis look smaller. Losing weight (through medication or otherwise) can naturally boost the hormone, with a recent Endocrine Society report revealing a 20% rise in men being treated for obesity with GLP-1 medication.
His confidence has been boosted too; a far cry from ‘hibernating’ at home and feeling self-conscious about his ‘gut’.
James (who is single and says he’s ‘blessed’ to have never been married), adds: ‘I look in the mirror and think, “F*** me, I look good” these days.’
Others have been equally complimentary about the newfound spring in his step too, and his exes remarking ‘wow’ when they see him now is a welcome consequence.
Some people find their sex drive drops on semaglutide, as it can decrease the amount of dopamine (the pleasure neurotransmitter) released by more than just eating. Not for James, though, who says he’s having ‘better sex’ as a result of the drug.
‘If you have an impulsive drive for sex, it would affect that,’ he explains. ‘But I have a normal sexual appetite, so actually it’s made me enjoy sex more because I’m not as self-conscious of my body and I’ve got more energy.’
Apparently, Wegovy has also made an impact down below, and any fears people might have about it causing penis shrinkage are unfounded.
‘If anything, my penis looks bigger, because you lose body fat around it and your overall mass gets smaller,’ James says with a smile. ‘It’s like when you shave your bush and it makes it look bigger.’
While he has managed to avoid the vast majority of potential side effects these weight loss drugs can cause, from diarrhoea to dizziness, James admits there have been some other downsides.
His transformation meant he needed to buy a whole new wardrobe, and he finds he gets much colder now, needing to wear thermals and multiple layers, even in the summer.
And while James did notice his face becoming more sallow as he lost weight, he leaned into the image overhaul and decided to have fillers, which ‘made a massive difference’ to counteract the telltale ‘Ozempic face’.
How Wegovy impacts your appetite
Wegovy impacts your appetite, but you won’t go off your food altogether.
James says: ‘I eat normally – low GI cereal with fruit for breakfast and a protein shake for lunch; I gave up my lunchtime bagel. Dinner is normally a salad of some type with chicken, maybe pitta and hummus.
‘On Sunday I had a sausage and a burger, as well as a bottle of wine with friends. Before I would have thought, “that burger was great”, and have a second one. I don’t do that now.’
You’ll likely want fewer fatty foods while taking Wegovy, but it’s important to balance eating in a caloric deficit with ensuring you get the nutrients you need.
Like many users, James tends not to tell people he’s taking Wegovy, as some consider it ‘cheating’ – a viewpoint he refutes. Instead, he thinks it should be made universally available for free or cheap.
‘I think it’s a tool, much like you can use anything as a tool,’ he says. ‘It’s impossible to succeed without training and working out and eating more healthily. Yes, I perhaps wanted a bit of a quick fix. But it hasn’t been a quick fix.’
After reaching a plateau, James is now looking to come off the medication. But is he worried he’ll revert back to his old ways once he does?
‘I don’t know,’ he admits.
‘I don’t want to be on it for the rest of my life, but it was almost impossible for me to lose the weight I wanted to lose without it. It’s like a little guardian angel on your shoulder saying “Don’t eat that!”.’
This article was first published in August, 2024, and has since been updated.
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