Hormones and sexual health
Peptide hormones that act on the reproductive axis, several FDA-approved for fertility treatment, and the melanocortin peptides used for libido and tanning.
Which of these has the most human evidence? See Best Peptides for Libido, Ranked by Human Evidence.
Reproductive hormones
aka Kisspeptin-10 · Kisspeptin-54 · KP-10
Studied in hospital-based human research as a reproductive-hormone signal - it stimulates LH and FSH release upstream of GnRH - and, in a small number of academic trials, for its effect on sexual and romantic brain processing. Sold to consumers for sexual desire and fertility use, a use no regulator has evaluated as safe or effective.
Limited human dataResearch use only
aka GnRH · LHRH · Gonadorelin acetate
FDA approved decades ago as a diagnostic test of pituitary function (Factrel) and as a pulsatile treatment for hypothalamic amenorrhea (Lutrepulse). Both approved products are discontinued. Today it is mainly sold through compounding pharmacies and research-peptide sellers to men on testosterone therapy, paired with TRT to keep the pituitary-testicular signal running - a use no trial has tested.
Moderate human evidenceUnapproved drug
aka hCG · Novarel · Pregnyl
FDA-approved prescription injection for prepubertal cryptorchidism, selected cases of male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and induction of ovulation in anovulatory, infertile women pretreated with menotropins.
Strong human evidenceFDA-approved · prescription only
aka hMG · Menotropins · Menopur
FDA-approved prescription injection (Menopur) for development of multiple follicles and pregnancy in ovulatory women as part of an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) cycle. Not approved for any indication in men.
Strong human evidenceFDA-approved · prescription only
aka Pitocin · Syntocinon
An approved injectable medicine in obstetrics. Sold online as a nasal spray for libido, connection and anxiety.
Moderate human evidenceFDA-approved · prescription only
Reproductive hormones: side by side
Doses for unapproved compounds are common practice, not trial-established.
| Compound | Main use | Evidence | Usual dose | US status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kisspeptin | Studied in hospital-based human research as a reproductive-hormone signal - it stimulates LH and FSH release upstream of GnRH - and, in a small number of academic trials, for its effect on sexual and romantic brain processing. Sold to consumers for sexual desire and fertility use, a use no regulator has evaluated as safe or effective. | Limited human data | 50-200 mcg, once or twice daily, 50-200 mcg per injection | Research use only |
| Gonadorelin | FDA approved decades ago as a diagnostic test of pituitary function (Factrel) and as a pulsatile treatment for hypothalamic amenorrhea (Lutrepulse). Both approved products are discontinued. Today it is mainly sold through compounding pharmacies and research-peptide sellers to men on testosterone therapy, paired with TRT to keep the pituitary-testicular signal running - a use no trial has tested. | Moderate human evidence | 50-100 mcg, 2-3 times weekly, subcutaneous, spaced through the week (e.g. Monday/Thursday or Monday/Wednesday/Friday), alongside testosterone therapy | Unapproved drug |
| Human Chorionic Gonadotropin | FDA-approved prescription injection for prepubertal cryptorchidism, selected cases of male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and induction of ovulation in anovulatory, infertile women pretreated with menotropins. | Strong human evidence | FDA label | FDA-approved · prescription only |
| Human Menopausal Gonadotropin | FDA-approved prescription injection (Menopur) for development of multiple follicles and pregnancy in ovulatory women as part of an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) cycle. Not approved for any indication in men. | Strong human evidence | FDA label | FDA-approved · prescription only |
| Oxytocin | An approved injectable medicine in obstetrics. Sold online as a nasal spray for libido, connection and anxiety. | Moderate human evidence | FDA label | FDA-approved · prescription only |
Melanocortin peptides
aka Bremelanotide · Vyleesi
Approved for premenopausal women with acquired, generalised hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Sold in grey channels predominantly to men.
Strong human evidenceFDA-approved · prescription only
aka Melanotan-II · MT-II · Melanotan
Marketed to consumers as a tanning aid, sold unapproved and outside any FDA-cleared indication.
Limited human dataResearch use only
Melanocortin peptides: side by side
Doses for unapproved compounds are common practice, not trial-established.
| Compound | Main use | Evidence | Usual dose | US status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PT-141 | Approved for premenopausal women with acquired, generalised hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Sold in grey channels predominantly to men. | Strong human evidence | FDA label | FDA-approved · prescription only |
| Melanotan II | Marketed to consumers as a tanning aid, sold unapproved and outside any FDA-cleared indication. | Limited human data | 100-1000 mcg, daily loading dose of 100-1000 mcg for several weeks, then 250-1000 mcg 1-3 times a week for maintenance | Research use only |