Kisspeptin
Kisspeptin (kisspeptin-10)
What is Kisspeptin?
Kisspeptin: Hypothalamic neuropeptide (KISS1 gene product; kisspeptin-10 is the shortest active fragment) that activates GPR54/KISS1R on GnRH neurons, driving LH/FSH and sex-steroid release. The sources cited here most often discuss it for: LH and testosterone rise; Desire and arousal; Safer IVF trigger. Evidence label: Early human.
- Type
- Peptide
- Family
- Sexual Health & Hormones
- Evidence label
- Early human (3 of 5)
- Regulatory status
- Since September 2023 kisspeptin-10 has been on FDA's 503A Category 2 list of bulk substances that may present significant safety risks in compounding, with FDA citing possible immunogenicity and too little safety information to know whether it would harm people.
- Goals discussed
- Hormones & Fertility, Libido & Sexual Health, Calm & Mood
- Also called
- kisspeptin-10, kisspeptin-54, KP-54, metastin
- Last reviewed
- 2026-10-11
- Hypothalamic neuropeptide (KISS1 gene product; kisspeptin-10 is the shortest active fragment) that activates GPR54/KISS1R on GnRH neurons, driving LH/FSH and sex-steroid release; investigational, not FDA-approved.1
Regulatory status Since September 2023 kisspeptin-10 has been on FDA's 503A Category 2 list of bulk substances that may present significant safety risks in compounding, with FDA citing possible immunogenicity and too little safety information to know whether it would harm people. 2
These data suggest that kisspeptin has potential as the first pharmacological treatment for men with low sexual desire.
Crossover placebo-controlled trial of intravenous kisspeptin-54 in 32 men with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (JAMA Netw Open, 2023).
What is Kisspeptin researched for?
The three outcomes most discussed for Kisspeptin in the sources below, as those sources report them. humanpeptides.fyi makes no claims of its own: a listed benefit can be unproven or can have failed in trials, and the label on each line says which.
What do researchers and users say about Kisspeptin?
Compounded drugs containing Kisspeptin-10 may pose risk for immunogenicity for certain routes of administration and may have complexities with regard to peptide-related impurities and API characterization.
FDA's stated reason for placing kisspeptin-10 in 503A Category 2 (September 29, 2023).
I do also consider placebo to have SOME portion of the benefits, but this is the first time I can say that I am pretty sure that this is not placebo, it's too big of a difference and too obvious.
Unverified self-report on sexual side effects after SSRI use; the poster later reported worse sleep and another commenter saw no improvement.
What side effects of Kisspeptin are reported?
- Generally well tolerated in short human studies1
- Users report elevated estradiol, sleep problems, heavy legs, emotional symptoms at self-selected daily amountsanecdotal12
- FDA flags possible immune reactions (immunogenicity) and impurity problems with compounded kisspeptin-10 and says it lacks enough data to know whether it causes harm.regulator statement2
- Transient flushing and a feeling of warmth are listed as possible effects.practitioner reference13
- A user described feeling like they crashed after stopping it.anecdotal11
What do peptide guides say about Kisspeptin?
- PepEdHub PepEdHub describes kisspeptin as the master switch of the reproductive hormone axis, acting on hypothalamic GPR54 receptors to release GnRH, with separate direct effects on sexual arousal. 13
- Seek Peptides Seek Peptides lists kisspeptin for fertility, hormone regulation and libido, but labels it a newer, experimental peptide with limited data. 14
- PubMed In 32 men with low sexual desire, a kisspeptin infusion increased penile tumescence to sexual videos by up to 56% more than placebo and raised self-rated happiness about sex. 10
What does the research say, system by system?
Body & tissues2
Hormones & physiology2
Brain, mood & sleep2
How strong is the evidence for Kisspeptin?
Short-term human physiology studies and phase 2 IVF trials; not approved; self-use anecdotal
Small, short, old, unblinded or single-group human studies. How tiers work
Questions about Kisspeptin
What is Kisspeptin?
Hypothalamic neuropeptide (KISS1 gene product; kisspeptin-10 is the shortest active fragment) that activates GPR54/KISS1R on GnRH neurons, driving LH/FSH and sex-steroid release.
Is Kisspeptin FDA-approved?
Since September 2023 kisspeptin-10 has been on FDA's 503A Category 2 list of bulk substances that may present significant safety risks in compounding, with FDA citing possible immunogenicity and too little safety information to know whether it would harm people.
What is Kisspeptin researched for?
The sources cited on this page most often discuss three outcomes: LH and testosterone rise; Desire and arousal; Safer IVF trigger. Each line above shows what the source reports and how strong that evidence is.
What side effects of Kisspeptin are reported?
Reported in the cited sources: Generally well tolerated in short human studies; Users report elevated estradiol, sleep problems, heavy legs, emotional symptoms at self-selected daily amounts; FDA flags possible immune reactions (immunogenicity) and impurity problems with compounded kisspeptin-10 and says it lacks enough data to know whether it causes harm. The list is not complete, and few listed risks does not mean a compound is safe.
How strong is the evidence for Kisspeptin?
Evidence label: Early human. Short-term human physiology studies and phase 2 IVF trials; not approved; self-use anecdotal.
What else is Kisspeptin called?
Names used for it include kisspeptin-10, kisspeptin-54, KP-54, metastin.
Does humanpeptides.fyi recommend Kisspeptin?
No. humanpeptides.fyi makes no claims and no recommendations of its own. It summarizes and links to what others have published and posted. Nothing here is medical advice; talk to a licensed clinician.