Kisspeptin hormone injection could treat low sex drive in women and men: Study

The hormone kisspeptin could be used to treat women and men distressed by their low sexual desire, according to two new studies. The studies found that giving kisspeptin can boost sexual responses in women and men who have hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) - a condition characterized by low sexual desire that is distressing to the individual. Kisspeptin is a naturally-occurring hormone that stimulates the release of other reproductive hormones inside the body.

These two clinical trials involved 32 pre-menopausal women and 32 men with HSDD. In both studies, patients underwent scanning of the brain using MRI, as well as blood and behavioural tests. Kisspeptin administration improved sexual brain processing in both women and men, resulting in positive effects on sexual behaviour compared to placebo.

The team found that kisspeptin improved sexual and attraction brain activity in key brain areas in women. They also found that women who were more distressed by their sexual function showed greater kisspeptin-enhanced brain activity in the hippocampus (a key structure implicated in female sexual desire). Crucially, the psychometric analyses revealed that the women reported feeling ‘more sexy’ during kisspeptin, compared to placebo.

In men, the study demonstrated that kisspeptin significantly boosted brain activity in key structures of the sexual brain network while also increasing penile rigidity by up to 56 percent compared to placebo, while viewing an erotic video. Similarly to the study in women, kisspeptin also had greater effects in key brain regions in men more distressed with their low sexual desire. Furthermore, psychometric analyses revealed that kisspeptin improved ‘happiness about sex’ reported by the men.

Reference:

Dr Alexander Comninos et al, JAMA Network Open,IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON