GLP-1 Drugs, Sex Differences & Side Effects

Good Morning!

This week’s issue dives into the gaps between research, real-world care, and women’s lived experiences.

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are everywhere — but most clinical trials didn’t stratify results by sex. I’m unpacking what this means for women, from higher drug concentrations to greater side effect risks, and why better-designed studies could change everything.

I’m also preparing to facilitate a discussion on the EMMA Study today at 7 PM ET, exploring how biomarker data and patient voices can transform endometriosis diagnosis and treatment. Sign up here.

And as always, here’s what I’m curious about this week: an innovative bracelet designed to detect — and even deter — date rape drugs, medical gaslighting in women with iron deficiency, how AI tools are shaping clinical practice, a new book redefining productivity, and a tiny-house community changing how women think about aging.

Let’s get into it.

SPOTLIGHT

🤔 GLP-1s, Sex Differences, and Why Side Effects Hit Women More Often

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are being prescribed widely for diabetes, obesity, and even heart and brain health. But here’s what’s rarely discussed: women are more likely to have higher concentrations of these drugs in their system and to report side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and psychiatric symptoms — yet most clinical trials did not stratify results by sex.

That leaves doctors and patients to navigate in real time. When different specialists prescribe these medications, it’s not always clear who should take responsibility for helping patients manage the risks. And not every provider takes the time to walk patients through what to expect — like the cardiologist who gives her “oatmeal spiel” to help women minimize nausea and constipation before they even begin treatment.

The bigger picture is clear: if preclinical studies accounted for sex differences from the start, downstream care would be smoother, safer, and more effective. Until then, women and their doctors are left managing complexity that better-designed trials could have helped prevent.

👉 Read the full article

Related: Last year, I interviewed Dr. Angela Fitch, President of the Obesity Medicine Association, on menopause & weight loss drugs. Watch on YouTube. Listen on Apple Podcast or Spotify.

🙌🏼 What Caught My Eye This Week

🎟️ A Bracelet That Detects Date Rape Drugs
Researchers in Spain and Portugal created a festival-style wristband that can spot GHB in seconds. Early use suggests it may not just detect — but deter — attempted assaults.
👉 Read more

🩸 Medical Gaslighting and Iron Deficiency
Over 2,000 women shared experiences of medical misogyny with The Sydney Morning Herald. More than 50 described living with severe iron deficiency or anemia — only to have their symptoms dismissed as hypochondria.
👉 Learn More

Bonus: Check out Dr Libby’s Fix Iron First.

🤖 When Doctors Get Used to AI
A study in Lancet Gastroenterology looked at gastroenterologists using AI during colonoscopies. With the tool on, detection improved. But when it was switched off, doctors appeared about 20% less accurate — possibly because they’d grown accustomed to waiting for the system’s “green box” to appear. The finding isn’t conclusive, but it highlights how quickly AI can influence the way clinicians practice.
👉 Read more

(I’ll be exploring this theme in my upcoming interview on AI in healthcare and women’s health — send me your questions.)

📖 Move. Think. Rest.
A new book coming next month challenges how we think about productivity and time. Its message: prioritize what truly matters so you can create the connections that make you feel seen and valued.
👉 Pre-order here

🏡 The Bird’s Nest: Aging, Together
In East Texas, 11 women created a tiny-house community where they plan to grow older side by side — sharing daily life, supporting each other through health challenges, and prioritizing connection. They call it their own version of utopia: women choosing community over isolation.
👉 Meet the residents

👉 Have something for me to share with this group? Reply to this email. 🙏🏼