Peptides for libido and sex drive: what works?

1 approved peptide, for 1 group

Vyleesi (PT-141) is approved only for some women before menopause. Not for men.

By the Peptide Science Desk Editorial TeamFact-checked against FDA and official sources · Oct 24, 2026Not yet reviewed by a licensed clinician. How we check facts

Short answer: Only one peptide is FDA approved for low sex drive: Vyleesi, also called PT-141 or bremelanotide. It is approved only for some women who have not gone through menopause. It is not approved for men. Kisspeptin is still being tested, and a 2026 review found little proof that growth hormone peptides like ipamorelin help sex life. New to peptides? Start here: what are peptides?

A pharmacist in a white coat looks at a bottle of liquid medicine in front of shelves — A pharmacist checks a liquid medicine (1988 photo).Photo: Bill Branson, National Cancer Institute (NIH), public domain

Do peptides increase libido?

One does, for one group. Vyleesi (PT-141) is FDA approved for low sex drive in some women before menopause.
For everyone else, the proof is thin. A 2026 review of 76 studies said most sex-medicine peptides are "insufficiently validated." That means they are not proven yet.
FDA status, proof and safety are separate questions. We rate each one on its own.

What is PT-141 (Vyleesi) approved for?

Vyleesi is for women who have not gone through menopause and who have low sex drive that upsets them.
The low sex drive must not be caused by another health problem, relationship problems, or another medicine.
The label says it is not approved for women after menopause, and it is not approved for men.
You need a prescription. Products sold online as "PT-141 for research" are not the approved medicine.

What are the side effects of PT-141?

The most common ones on the label are feeling sick, a red or hot face, skin reactions where the shot goes in, headache, and throwing up.
It can raise blood pressure for a short time and slow the heart rate.
Some people got dark spots on the skin, like on the face, gums or breasts.

Are there peptides for libido in men?

No peptide is FDA approved to raise sex drive in men.
Kisspeptin raised sex hormones for a short time in small studies. The 2026 review called it "investigational," which means still being tested.
The FDA put kisspeptin-10 on its list of substances that may be risky for pharmacies to make, on September 29, 2023.
Men with low sex drive or erection problems can ask a doctor. Approved treatments exist, but they are not peptides.

Does ipamorelin increase libido?

There is no good proof. We found no study in people that tested ipamorelin for sex drive.
The 2026 review said growth hormone peptides do raise growth hormone. But proof that they improve sex life is "limited."
Ipamorelin is not FDA approved.

Is Melanotan II safe for libido?

No. Melanotan II is not approved, and published reports describe serious harm, including skin cancer.
The 2026 review warned that it is sold in unregulated markets, with unknown quality and side effects.

Do GLP-1 drugs change sex drive?

People ask this a lot. We did not find a large trial that answers it.
If your sex drive changes on any medicine, tell your doctor. Do not stop a prescribed drug on your own.

Vyleesi (bremelanotide, PT-141) side effects

% of women with each side effect in the 2 main trials

Nausea

40.0%

1.3%

Flushing (red, warm face)

20.3%

0.3%

Shot-site reactions

13.2%

8.4%

Headache

11.3%

1.9%

Vomiting

4.8%

0.2%

18% of women on Vyleesi stopped because of side effects, vs 2% on placebo.

Show the numbers as a table

Vyleesi (bremelanotide, PT-141) side effects: % of women with each side effect in the 2 main trials
Side effect	Vyleesi (627 women)	Placebo (620 women)
Nausea	40.0%	1.3%
Flushing (red, warm face)	20.3%	0.3%
Shot-site reactions	13.2%	8.4%
Headache	11.3%	1.9%
Vomiting	4.8%	0.2%

RECONNECT trials: 1,267 women were picked at random; 1,247 got at least one dose and were counted for side effects. From the FDA label, Table 1. Sources: Vyleesi FDA label, section 6.1, Table 1 (DailyMed); Kingsberg et al., Obstet Gynecol 2019 (RECONNECT) (PMID 31599840).

More charts: Peptides by the numbers

Studies in people

Most libido peptides have only small or short studies. Vyleesi is the one with big trials.

Study type	People	Main finding	Limits
FDA label: Vyleesi trials	1,267 women before menopause with low sex drive	Desire went up a little more than with placebo	Not tested for approval in men or after menopause
Review of 76 studies: peptides in sexual medicine, 2026	Many small studies	Bremelanotide and tesamorelin are the most established; kisspeptin "investigational"; growth hormone peptides "limited"	Narrative review; short studies, small groups

Libido options: FDA status, proof and safety

	FDA status	Proof it helps sex drive in people	Safety data
Vyleesi (PT-141, bremelanotide)	Approved for some women before menopause	Some: 2 big trials, helped a little more than placebo	1,267 women in trials; risks on label
Kisspeptin	Not FDA approved	Early: hormones rise for a while	Small groups for days or weeks
Ipamorelin and other growth hormone peptides	Not FDA approved (tesamorelin is approved for a different use)	Limited, says a 2026 review	Limited
Melanotan II	Not FDA approved	Not proven	Reports of serious harm

Check any peptide in 1 secondFree FDA Status Checker: approved, being tested, or not proven.

FAQ

Can men use PT-141?

The Vyleesi label says it is not approved for men. Talk to a doctor about approved options.

Is PT-141 a nasal spray?

The approved Vyleesi is a shot. Sprays sold online are not the approved medicine.

Do peptides raise testosterone?

No peptide is FDA approved to treat low testosterone. Kisspeptin raised hormones for a short time in small studies.

Is PT-141 legal?

Vyleesi is legal with a prescription for its approved use. "Research" PT-141 is not the approved product.

Will a doctor prescribe PT-141 off-label?

Doctors can sometimes prescribe a drug for other uses. Ask about the risks and the proof for your case.

We never share doses or tell you where to buy. Always ask your doctor. Print our doctor questions sheet.

Sources

Not medical advice. Medical disclaimer.