Kisspeptin, a hormone that stimulates sexual desire. Can it awaken the libido? The details of Martin Ducret.
Martin Ducret, doctor and journalist at Doctor’s Daily, speaks to us today about this hormone which could make it possible to treat people suffering from loss of libido, kisspeptin.
franceinfo: First of all, what is kisspeptin?
Martin Ducret: It is a natural hormone that acts on several areas of the brain. At the level of the hypothalamus, it stimulates the production of reproductive hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen. In other areas, it modulates sexual behavior and activates the libido.
Two studies have sought to find out if the administration of kisspeptin could awaken the libido of patients with a lack of sexual desire?
Yes absolutely, two British studies, one in 32 women and the other in 32 men. All had hypoactive sexual desire disorder, that is, a chronic lack of interest in sexual relations, to the point of causing significant suffering.
In both studies, giving kisspeptin by injection increased brain activity in areas of sexual arousal, compared with injecting a placebo. In addition, in men, kisspeptin provided a more than 50% increase in erection. And all without side effects.
Could this hormone be considered a new type of Viagra for everyone?
Yes in a way, even if the mechanisms of action are totally different.
“But beware ! Not too much enthusiasm about kisspeptin, told me Dr. Gilbert Bou Braoudé, sexologist and scientific director of the web platform Charle.co. Other studies are needed with many more patients, with varied profiles, and especially with an evaluation of the effects of this hormone in real life.”
In these two studies, the patients were only stimulated by videos of a sexual nature. This obviously does not reflect reality! “Nevertheless, for Dr. Bou Braoudé, kisspeptin remains by far the most relevant study treatment to date for treating lack of sexual desire, especially in women.”
Why women in particular?
Because in men, even if kisspeptin has its place, there is already Viagra and its derivatives which can stimulate erection and also libido. For women, there is no authorized treatment in France to date. Kisspeptin, if it confirms its effectiveness, will help a large number of patients who suffer from lack of sexual desire.
I emphasize all the same that a drug alone cannot treat a low libido. The causes are multiple, and sometimes complex to identify. The ideal is to consult a sexologist doctor, to benefit from an adapted care.