Here’s what experts say about the medically proven aphrodisiac for both men and women.
Tune into any health podcast these days and you’ll likely hear about peptides and their ability to help you lose weight and build muscle with ninja-like precision. But one benefit seems to have flown largely under the radar: Their potential to rev flagging libidos in both sexes and improve men’s erections. While several peptides promise to take your bedroom game to the next level, one particular prescription peptide, PT-141, is the breakout star.
“PT-141 is a game-changer when it comes to boosting arousal and desire in both men and women,” says urologist David Shusterman, M.D.
Unlike alleged aphrodisiacs or medications like sildenafil that boost blood flow to the genitals, PT-141, a synthetic hormone, works where desire starts: In the mind. The peptide stimulates specific receptors in the brain that naturally flare when you’re turned on.
“Unlike other meds for erectile dysfunction that focus on the vascular system, PT-141 goes straight for the central nervous system,” Shusterman adds. “It’s a whole new way of tackling the issue.”
David Shusterman, M.D., is the medical director of urology at Modern Urology in NYC.
Jim Staheli, D.O., the medical director for Broad Health, is an expert in men’s health, including issues like low libido, and functional medicine.
Aliyah Moore, Ph.D., a certified sex therapist, with a doctorate in gender and sexuality studies.
PT-141, also known as bremelanotide, is a peptide that binds to melanocortin receptors to increase desire, sexual function, and satisfaction, says Jim Staheli, D.O., the medical director for Broad Health (1, 2). Most commonly, it’s offered as an injectable and inserted into the skin at the abdomen or thigh. Some pharmacies also offer nasal sprays for inhalation or troches that may be combined with other medications that can help improve sexual health (think: oxytocin and cialis).
The peptide may help in more ways than one when it comes to sex. Shusterman says the non-hormonal treatment may just do the trick for those dealing with both sexual dysfunction and low desire.
“PT-141 triggers the activation of the MC4R and MC1R receptors in the central nervous system, which have crucial roles in controlling sexual arousal and desire,” says certified sex therapist, Aliyah Moore, Ph.D.
When motivation and desire are absent, it can be hard to feel excited about having sex. PT-141 increases the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and oxytocin, all of which are important for sexual desire, motivation, and arousal. Dopamine stimulates desire while norepinephrine and oxytocin promote sexual arousal (3). PT-141 also boosts norepinephrine, which can also enhance mood (4).
“In contrast to traditional treatments for sexual dysfunction, which mainly concentrate on improving blood flow or hormone levels,” Moore says, “PT-141 directly tackles the underlying neurological factors contributing to low libido, providing a focused and potentially effective solution for enhancing sexual desire.”
That goes for both sexes who chronically experience a lack of interest in sex. In 2019, the FDA approved PT-141 treatment for premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (low libido) to increase sexual desire and genital arousal (3). The drug is prescribed off-label to men.
Not to mention, experiencing any type of sexual dysfunction can be distressing. Finding treatments can help boost mood and well-being, which can further boost sexual health (5).
Recent research has shown that PT-141 can help treat erectile dysfunction in healthy men (6, 7). Older research on rats suggests that it works by activating the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), which then stimulates the cavernous nerve in the penis, which helps men get an erection (8).
When melanocortin receptors are stimulated, you feel more aroused, which makes the physical aspects of getting an erection easier, says Staheli. “It leads to selective nerve signaling to the penile tissue, which stimulates nitric oxide release and promotes penile smooth muscle relaxation, vasodilation, and engorgement of the genital tissue.”
The central nervous system action may produce additional benefits. Namely: Addressing psychological factors, such as stress or anxiety, that can contribute to erectile dysfunction (ED), adds Moore.
“This neurological approach makes PT-141 a potentially effective option for those who do not respond well to traditional ED medications or who experience ED alongside other sexual dysfunctions such as low libido,” Moore says.
Every medication has the potential to cause side effects, but that doesn’t mean you’ll experience them. The most common PT-141 side effects include (9):
Rare side effects include:
People with cardiac disease or uncontrolled hypertension should avoid taking PT-141, Staheli says, because it may increase blood pressure. He also cautions against use for anyone with severe liver disease or renal failure because these conditions may slow the elimination of PT-141 from the body.
PT-141 should not be injected more than twice a week or eight times per month, Staheli cautions. Using more than this may cause hyperpigmentation of the skin. If you have high blood pressure, PT-141 should not be used along with PDE-5 inhibitors, such as Viagra and Cialis, because it may further elevate levels.
PT-141 can start to kick in between 30 minutes to two hours, depending on how you take it. “The time it takes to see results from PT-141 can vary depending on individual factors like dosage, how often you use it, and your overall health,” Shusterman says. “Some people might feel more desire and arousal soon after taking PT-141, while others might need more time to notice big changes.”
The effects can last up to 72 hours, declining over time, if that helps you plan when to take it.
PT-141 is a prescription drug that can increase sex drive in both men and women. It can be a great option for those who have tried other, more traditional interventions for low libido but didn’t see much success. Check in with your doctor about whether the peptide is the right treatment for you.
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