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The best peptides for libido and erectile function

This is one of the few peptide categories with an FDA-approved compound designed specifically for the indication. It acts centrally, which is why it is interesting where PDE5 inhibitors fail. For most men, though, a telehealth ED prescriber is the faster answer.

By Lindy Health editorial Updated 18 Oct 2026
How we ranked these Evidence level first. Receptor selectivity breaks ties, since non-selective melanocortin agonists bring unwanted effects. Full criteria in our methodology.

Quick answer

#CompoundClassEvidenceReported rangeStatus
1 PT-141 Melanocortins Regulator approved 1-2 mg Prescription
2 Kisspeptin-10 Reproductive & HPTA Clinical trials 10-100 mcg Research only
3 Melanotan II Melanocortins Preliminary human 250 mcg - 1 mg Research only

The ranking

01

PT-141

Regulator approved Melanocortins

Bremelanotide, approved for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. MC4R-selective, acting on hypothalamic desire pathways rather than on vasculature. Twenty human trials. Also studied in male erectile dysfunction.

Evidence~20 human studies
Reported range1-2 mg
Half-life~2.7 hours
Banned in sportNo
Full PT-141 record → Find a prescriber
PPT-141
02

Kisspeptin-10

Clinical trials Reproductive & HPTA Research use only

The upstream trigger of the reproductive axis. Human trials have examined its effects on sexual and emotional brain processing and on LH release. Research-stage, but the research is real and in people.

Evidence~25 human studies
Reported range10-100 mcg
Half-life~4 minutes
Banned in sportNo
Full Kisspeptin-10 record → Get bloodwork first
KKisspeptin-10
03

Melanotan II

Preliminary human Melanocortins Research use only

The non-selective parent of PT-141. It produces erections, and also tanning, nausea and appetite suppression, because it hits every melanocortin receptor. Multiple regulators have issued safety warnings. Ranked for completeness, not recommendation.

Evidence~6 human studies
Reported range250 mcg - 1 mg
Half-life~1-2 hours
Banned in sportNo
Full Melanotan II record →

Material for this compound is sold for laboratory research only. It is not manufactured, tested or labelled for human administration.

MMelanotan II

What we left out, and why

Gonadorelin
A fertility and HPTA compound. Any libido effect is downstream of testosterone restoration, not a direct one.

Head-to-head comparisons

Melanotan II vs PT-141Kisspeptin-10 vs PT-141Melanotan I vs PT-141Gonadorelin vs Kisspeptin-10hCG vs Kisspeptin-10Melanotan I vs Melanotan IIKPV vs Melanotan II

References for the compounds in this guide

  1. Hedlund P. PT-141 Palatin.Curr Opin Investig Drugs 2004.PubMed 15134289
  2. Dhillon S, Keam SJ. Bremelanotide: First Approval.Drugs 2019.PubMed 31429064 · doi:10.1007/s40265-019-01187-w
  3. Pettigrew JA, Novick AM. Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Women: Physiology, Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment.J Midwifery Womens Health 2021.PubMed 34510696 · doi:10.1111/jmwh.13283
  4. Sweeney P, Gimenez LE, Hernandez CC, et al.. Targeting the central melanocortin system for the treatment of metabolic disorders.Nat Rev Endocrinol 2023.PubMed 37365323 · doi:10.1038/s41574-023-00855-y
  5. Lee JH, Lee JE, Harsh V, et al.. Pharmacotherapy for Sexual Dysfunction in Women.Curr Psychiatry Rep 2022.PubMed 35102537 · doi:10.1007/s11920-022-01322-7
  6. Burton CS, Mishra K. Pharmacologic therapeutic options for sexual dysfunction.Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2022.PubMed 36036468 · doi:10.1097/GCO.0000000000000821
  7. Nappi RE, Tiranini L, Martini E, et al.. Medical Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction.Urol Clin North Am 2022.PubMed 35428435 · doi:10.1016/j.ucl.2022.02.001
  8. Mayer D, Lynch SE. Bremelanotide: New Drug Approved for Treating Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder.Ann Pharmacother 2020.PubMed 31893927 · doi:10.1177/1060028019899152
  9. Tena-Sempere M. GPR54 and kisspeptin in reproduction.Hum Reprod Update 2006.PubMed 16731583 · doi:10.1093/humupd/dml023
  10. Ulasov IV, Borovjagin AV, Timashev P, et al.. KISS1 in breast cancer progression and autophagy.Cancer Metastasis Rev 2019.PubMed 31705228 · doi:10.1007/s10555-019-09814-4
  11. Watanabe T, Sato K. Roles of the kisspeptin/GPR54 system in pathomechanisms of atherosclerosis.Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2020.PubMed 32409274 · doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2020.02.017
  12. Garcia JP, Keen KL, Seminara SB, et al.. Role of Kisspeptin and NKB in Puberty in Nonhuman Primates: Sex Differences.Semin Reprod Med 2019.PubMed 31847024 · doi:10.1055/s-0039-3400253
  13. Arai AC. The role of kisspeptin and GPR54 in the hippocampus.Peptides 2009.PubMed 18765263 · doi:10.1016/j.peptides.2008.07.023
  14. Pastor FM, Santos BR, Silva JF, et al.. Endocrine-metabolic effects of kisspeptin in mammals.Gen Comp Endocrinol 2026.PubMed 41581529 · doi:10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114888
  15. Prabhu VV, Sakthivel KM, Guruvayoorappan C. Kisspeptins (KiSS-1): essential players in suppressing tumor metastasis.Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2013.PubMed 24377507 · doi:10.7314/apjcp.2013.14.11.6215
  16. Makri A, Pissimissis N, Lembessis P, et al.. The kisspeptin (KiSS-1)/GPR54 system in cancer biology.Cancer Treat Rev 2008.PubMed 18583061 · doi:10.1016/j.ctrv.2008.05.007
  17. Janvier S, De Spiegeleer B, Vanhee C, et al.. Falsification of biotechnology drugs: current dangers and/or future disasters?.J Pharm Biomed Anal 2018.PubMed 30165334 · doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2018.08.037
  18. Hadley ME, Dorr RT. Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization.Peptides 2006.PubMed 16412534 · doi:10.1016/j.peptides.2005.01.029
  19. Bartness TJ, Vaughan CH, Song CK. Sympathetic and sensory innervation of brown adipose tissue.Int J Obes (Lond) 2010.PubMed 20935665 · doi:10.1038/ijo.2010.182
  20. Wessells H, Levine N, Hadley ME, et al.. Melanocortin receptor agonists, penile erection, and sexual motivation: human studies with Melanotan II.Int J Impot Res 2000.PubMed 11035391 · doi:10.1038/sj.ijir.3900582
  21. Peters B, Hadimeri H, Wahlberg R, et al.. Melanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case report.CEN Case Rep 2020.PubMed 31953620 · doi:10.1007/s13730-020-00447-z
  22. Allard J, Giuliano F. Central nervous system agents in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: how do they work?.Curr Urol Rep 2001.PubMed 12084236 · doi:10.1007/s11934-001-0044-6
  23. Dorr RT, Lines R, Levine N, et al.. Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study.Life Sci 1996.PubMed 8637402 · doi:10.1016/0024-3205(96)00160-9
  24. Hadley ME. Discovery that a melanocortin regulates sexual functions in male and female humans.Peptides 2005.PubMed 15996790 · doi:10.1016/j.peptides.2005.01.023

Literature retrieved from PubMed on October 16, 2026, favouring human studies and reviews. Numbered markers in the text show which paper supports which statement; uncited entries are background reading.

Read this first This page ranks published reference data. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use any compound. Several compounds documented on this site are not approved for human use.