What are Ozempic breasts? Causes, prevention, and treatment

If you’ve noticed changes in your breasts while taking Ozempic (semaglutide), you’re not alone. The term “Ozempic breasts” has emerged to describe the difference in breast size, shape, and firmness from weight loss associated with this medication. And though it’s not an official medical term, Ozempic breasts are a very real experience for many taking the injectable medication. 

Ahead, experts help break down what Ozempic breasts are, what causes them, and how you might be able to avoid the potential side effect, from preventative measures to cosmetic treatments. 

While “Ozempic breasts” isn’t a clinical term, it’s become a popular phrase to describe breast changes that some people experience while taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic or Wegovy. 

“Ozempic primarily reduces the size of the breasts and, in some cases, can change their shape or firmness,” says Ari Hoschander, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast surgery at Breast Reduction Surgeons of Long Island. “These changes are not due to the medication directly targeting breast tissue, but rather because of the rapid weight loss that happens on it.” 

How long these breast changes last can vary. It’s common to experience a decrease in breast size throughout a period of rapid weight loss, Dr. Hoschander says. However, research suggests that changes in body mass — including breast tissue — can partially reverse if you stop the medication and start to regain weight. Of course, even if you gain weight, your breasts may not regain their original appearance.

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While Ozempic itself doesn’t specifically target breast tissue, the changes many people notice are still closely linked to how the drug affects the body overall. Here’s what experts say contributes most.

Rapid weight loss

Ozempic slows your digestion and decreases your appetite, Dr.  Hoschander says. This can lead to fast and significant weight loss, more so than with diet and exercise alone. 

In clinical trials, people taking 2.4 mg of semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) weekly lost up to 14.9% of their body weight in 68 weeks. People who took a placebo, on the other hand, only lost 2.4% of their weight.

And the weight loss effects of Ozempic aren’t limited to specific body parts. As you lose weight, you lose it everywhere — that’s why you may also hear terms like “Ozempic face” and “Ozempic butt.”  

Loss of fat in the breasts

One study found that Ozempic tends to cause a greater reduction in fat mass than lean body mass. Since breast tissue is primarily fat, a decline in overall body fat typically leads to a decrease in breast volume, explains Absalon Gutierrez, MD, an associate professor of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at UTHealth Houston. 

It’s also one of the more visible effects of rapid weight loss. “I often see patients who are surprised by how dramatically their breasts have changed in both volume and position after using GLP-1s,” Dr. Hoschander says. “This can be one of the most obvious and visible signs of GLP-1 weight loss for many women.”

Loosening skin

While weight loss can lead to smaller body measurements, it doesn’t always mean your skin will shrink as quickly as the fat loss occurs.

“This can lead to the appearance of breast sagging and downward-facing nipples,” Dr. Gutierrez says.

Why? Skin needs proteins like collagen and elastin to stay firm and elastic. When you lose weight slowly, your skin has time to adjust. But rapid or major weight loss, like what can happen with GLP-1 medications, can result in weak skin. Skin examined after weight loss was observed to have lower density and thickness of collagen fibers and damage to elastic fibers, which could make it harder for skin to tighten up post-slim-down.

That’s particularly true for older people, as collagen and elastin production decline as you age. Sun exposure, smoking, and a diet high in fat and sugar can also weaken skin elasticity.

Hormonal changes

Fat cells play a role in producing and storing hormones like estrogen, Dr. Hoschander says. He adds that as your body sheds fat, estrogen levels can likewise drop. And because estrogen helps regulate breast tissue development, “these fluctuations might lead to some breast pain and tenderness,” Dr. Gutierrez says. GLP-1 medications like Ozempic also directly contribute to hormonal shifts related to metabolism. These drugs mimic a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) to help regulate blood sugar, appetite, and insulin secretion. All of these effects contribute to the medication’s weight-loss effects, which can in turn play a role in breast-related symptoms like changes in size or firmness.

While not everyone will experience these symptoms, they can be a normal part of your body adjusting to weight loss.

“Completely preventing breast changes during weight loss is not always possible, especially if the patient is losing weight really quickly,” Dr. Hoschander says. That’s because weight loss naturally affects fat stores throughout the body, including in the breasts, he adds. 

However, a few strategies may help prevent or slow the changes. 

Practice strength training

Breasts are mostly made of fat, but the muscles underneath (like the pectoral muscles) can help provide structure and support, Dr. Gutierrez says.

“I usually advise patients to combine Ozempic with strength training exercises to maintain the underlying support structure of the breasts,” Dr. Hoschander says. 

Targeted exercises like push-ups, chest presses, and chest flies can all help develop the pectoral muscles and support breast structure throughout weight loss.

Slower pace of weight loss

While Ozempic can lead to rapid weight loss, slowing down the process may give your skin more time to adjust to changes in body size, Dr. Hoschander says.

However, the pace of weight loss isn’t always within your control while on the medication. If you're concerned about changes to your breasts, talk to your healthcare provider about potentially lowering your Ozempic dose to allow for a more gradual weight loss, giving your skin time to adapt.

Proactive skincare

You can’t completely control how your skin responds to weight loss, but you can take steps to support its elasticity. Research suggests that staying well-hydrated, eating a nutrient-dense diet, and preventing sun damage may help preserve its ability to bounce back.

Dr. Gutierrez recommends that patients concerned about Ozempic breasts regularly use skin-firming and hydrating lotions. In particular, research suggests that certain ingredients (like retinoids, hyaluronic acid, and peptides) may support skin plumping and improve skin texture and firmness when used consistently over time.

While changes to breast size, shape, or firmness due to Ozempic aren’t typically medically risky, they can still be distressing, Dr. Hoschander says. If these changes affect your comfort or confidence, rest assured that there are several ways to manage and address them, both at home and with cosmetic treatments. Let’s break them down.

Supportive bras

Wearing a well-fitted, supportive bra can make a big difference in how your breasts look and feel after weight loss, Dr. Gutierrez says. A good bra can lift and shape the breasts, reduce discomfort, and help clothing fit better.

Skin treatments

Keep up that skincare routine, Dr. Gutierrez says. Regularly using skin-supporting ingredients and skin-firming lotions, as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, can all enhance long-term skin health. 

If your breasts feel looser or sag more than they used to, nonsurgical skin-tightening treatments may also help. Options like radiofrequency, ultrasound therapy, or fractional laser treatments work by stimulating collagen and elastin. While results vary, research suggests these treatments can gradually improve skin firmness and elasticity over time, giving your breasts a bit more of a lifted appearance.

Body contouring

For mild to moderate sagging or leftover fat in certain areas, noninvasive body contouring treatments are another option. Research suggests that techniques like cryolipolysis (aka fat freezing), high-intensity focused ultrasound, and radiofrequency treatments can help break down fat cells and tighten the skin. Remember that results may vary between individuals. 

Surgery

Dr. Gutierrez says that while it’s less common, surgery can be an option if your breasts change a lot after rapid weight loss. It offers a more permanent way to restore shape, firmness, and balance.

A breast lift (mastopexy) gets rid of extra skin and repositions breast tissue for a more lifted appearance without changing volume.

For those whose breasts remain larger than desired after weight loss, a breast reduction combined with a lift (mastopexy) may be an option, Dr. Hoschander adds. Others opt for breast reconstruction surgery (mastoplasty), which may use tissue from another part of the body to reshape the breasts.

“If the changes are mostly cosmetic, but you’re feeling emotionally distressed or uncomfortable with how your breasts look or feel, that’s a valid reason to see a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast surgery,” Dr. Hoschander says.

Whether you're concerned about changes in size, shape, firmness, or overall appearance, speaking with a professional can help you understand what's happening and explore potential solutions. 

“You should see a doctor if you notice sudden breast asymmetry, a lump, skin dimpling, or any other unusual change that seems unrelated to weight loss,” Dr. Hoschander adds. 

Though these symptoms are unlikely to be caused by Ozempic, they can be signs of more serious conditions like breast cancer or the death of fat tissue, both of which warrant a prompt medical evaluation, he says.

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Ozempic can alter breast size, shape, and firmness. While these changes are common, there are still ways to manage or address them. Here's what to keep in mind:

• Breast changes are common with rapid weight loss, such as that which often occurs on Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications. Slimming down in such a short period of time can result in fat loss throughout your body, including in the breasts, which may lead to a reduction in size, firmness, or skin elasticity.

• While it’s not always possible to completely avoid breast changes, certain lifestyle habits can help prevent Ozempic breasts. These include targeted strength training, a nutritious diet, adequate hydration, and a skincare routine centered on specific topical treatments like retinoids. 

• Loose skin or a deflated breast appearance can occur with rapid weight loss, as your skin may not have enough time to adjust to your changing body size. If you're concerned about the speed of your weight loss, talk to your healthcare provider about lowering your Ozempic dose. This could allow your skin more time to adapt.

• If you're uncomfortable with any changes you're experiencing, talk to your healthcare provider to help guide your next steps. Nonsurgical body contouring treatments or breast surgery may provide more balance, shape, and firmness for those with significant breast changes.