A prominent UK doctor has issued a stark warning that blockbuster weight loss injections are causing a sharp increase in patients needing treatment for haemorrhoids.
Drugs such as Mounjaro and Ozempic, originally developed for type 2 diabetes patients, have gained worldwide fame for their ability to suppress appetite and trigger rapid weight loss. However, their growing use has unveiled a range of gastrointestinal side effects.
The Uncomfortable Side Effect of Rapid Weight Loss
Dr Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics in London and Bristol, has observed a direct correlation. He reports a 41 per cent rise in the last six months alone in patients presenting with haemorrhoids, with a significant number confirming they are using GLP-1 agonist medications.
"Many of those, both men and women in almost equal numbers, tell us they're on drugs like Mounjaro and Ozempic and have seen significant bowel changes which have led to the problem," Dr Perry told The Sun.
He explained that these medications work by delaying gastric emptying and slowing the digestive process. This leads to drier, harder stools, which in turn causes constipation. The straining associated with constipation puts intense pressure on the veins in the lower rectum, leading to the development of painful haemorrhoids, small tears, and anal skin tags.
Gym Efforts Exacerbating the Problem
Compounding the issue, many patients are following NHS guidance to combat muscle wastage by increasing exercise and weight training. Dr Perry noted that this well-intentioned effort can ironically make the situation worse.
"Weight training can involve straining, which can make haemorrhoids worse," he added.
Online forums are filled with testimonials from users experiencing these issues firsthand. One 59-year-old woman who lost 40lbs on Ozempic reported that her gastroenterologist confirmed her new haemorrhoids were "definitely caused by chronic constipation I had due to the Ozempic."
Another Mounjaro user described the haemorrhoid pain as "unbearable," leaving them unable to walk without serious discomfort. A third user, despite eating prunes and drinking plenty of water, continues to suffer and is now "scared to go to the bathroom."
Treatment and the Bigger Picture
According to The Mayo Clinic, almost three out of four adults will experience haemorrhoids at some point. For minor cases, increasing fibre and water intake can help, alongside over-the-counter creams containing ingredients like zinc oxide. Painkillers and cold packs can also provide relief.
For more severe or chronic piles, non-surgical treatments such as banding, infrared light, or chemical injections are available to remove the protrusions.
While these weight loss drugs are hailed as potential "game changers" in tackling the UK's obesity crisis—a problem costing the economy an estimated £100billion per year—health chiefs stress that no drug is without risk. The NHS explicitly warns patients to "never take an anti-obesity medicine if it has not been prescribed to you."
Experts are now calling for tighter restrictions on prescriptions amid concerns that illegal, knock-off versions of these drugs are being increasingly marketed on social media.
