Libido & intimacy
Kisspeptin: published research
The short active end of kisspeptin, a hormone made in the brain that starts the chain of signals controlling the reproductive system (via GnRH, then LH and FSH). It is studied in people to understand reproductive hormones, fertility and sexual desire.
Evidence at a glance
4 studies 2022–2025
- 4 Human trial
What researchers look at
- GnRH signalling
- LH and FSH
- Fertility research
- Sexual desire
What is still unknown
Human studies are short and measure hormone responses; long-term effects are not established.
Studies in people
4- Human trial
In a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study of 95 men and women, a 75-minute intravenous kisspeptin-54 infusion raised serum LH but did not significantly change anxiety, cortisol, blood pressure or heart rate.
Mills EG, et al. Kisspeptin Administration Stimulates Reproductive Hormones but Does Not Affect Anxiety in Humans. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2025. PMID 40036336
- Human trial
In a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study, intranasal kisspeptin-54 rapidly raised serum LH in healthy men, healthy women and women with hypothalamic amenorrhoea, with no reported side effects; it also raised LH in male mice.
Mills EG, et al. Intranasal kisspeptin administration rapidly stimulates gonadotropin release in humans. EBioMedicine. 2025. PMID 40215751
- Human trial
In a randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial completed by 32 men with hypoactive sexual desire disorder, a 75-minute intravenous kisspeptin-54 infusion altered sexual-processing brain activity while viewing sexual videos and increased penile tumescence and some sexual-desire measures.
Mills EG, et al. Effects of Kisspeptin on Sexual Brain Processing and Penile Tumescence in Men With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open. 2023. PMID 36735255
- Human trial
In a randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial completed by 32 premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder, intravenous kisspeptin-54 altered brain responses to erotic videos and attractive faces and was well tolerated.
Thurston L, et al. Effects of Kisspeptin Administration in Women With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open. 2022. PMID 36287566
Short summaries of published studies, with links to the original papers. Results in animals or cells may not apply to people. This is not medical advice and not a guide to use.