# Kisspeptin

The signal the brain uses to start releasing reproductive hormones. A research tool with promising hospital studies, mostly from one London group.

Also called: Kisspeptin-10, Kisspeptin-54, Metastin
Source page: https://peplogue.com/peptides/kisspeptin/
Updated: 2026-10-22. Not medical advice.

## How it works

- Where it acts: Kisspeptin receptors on the brain cells that release GnRH.
- What it changes: It triggers GnRH, which releases LH and FSH, the hormones that drive the ovaries and testes.
- What people notice: In studies, an LH surge that can trigger egg maturation in IVF. Effects on desire have been studied in small groups.

## What the evidence shows

- **Triggering egg maturation in IVF**: Early. In a trial of 62 women at high risk of ovarian overstimulation, mature eggs were collected from 98%. It was not compared with the standard trigger.
- **Low desire in men**: Early. In a lab study of 32 men, an infusion increased brain and penile responses to sexual images. It measured no real-world outcomes.
- **Restoring lost periods**: Early. In a small study of women whose periods had stopped from stress or low weight, twice-weekly doses still raised reproductive hormones after eight weeks, but periods did not return.
- **Raising testosterone**: Early. A single dose raises the signal hormone LH for a few hours.

## Side effects and risks

- unknown: Repeated or continuous dosing desensitizes the hormone system it is meant to stimulate.
- unknown: FDA says safety data for kisspeptin-10 are lacking.

Who should avoid it: Use outside a clinical study.

## How it has been given in studies

By infusion or injection in a hospital research unit. Kisspeptin-10 has a half-life of about 4 minutes and kisspeptin-54 about 28. There is no consumer dose.

## Legal status

- United States: undefined. Kisspeptin-10 is on the FDA safety-risk list for compounding.
- European Union: undefined
- Spain: undefined. No kisspeptin medicine in CIMA. Research peptide, not authorised in Spain and not lawful to sell to the public.
- Germany: undefined. Not approved in Germany. Selling it as a medicine without approval is a crime (AMG § 21, § 96); sold online only as 'research' products.
- France: undefined. No French authorisation found. Not named by ANSM, but its Jul 2026 alert says peptides bought outside the official circuit are illegal.
- Italy: undefined. No Italian authorisation found. Not lawful to sell to the public as a medicine. Research-grade vials online are unverified products.
- Netherlands: undefined. No Dutch marketing authorisation found. Selling it as a medicine without one is illegal per IGJ, even if labelled 'research use'.
- United Kingdom: undefined. Given only in hospital research studies.
- Canada: undefined
- Australia: undefined

## Questions people ask

**Does kisspeptin raise testosterone?**

A single dose raises the signal hormone LH for a few hours. Repeated or continuous dosing desensitizes the hormone system it is meant to stimulate.

**Does kisspeptin increase libido?**

In a lab study of 32 men, an infusion increased brain and penile responses to sexual images, but it measured no real-world outcomes.

**Is kisspeptin used in IVF?**

In a trial of 62 women at high risk of ovarian overstimulation, mature eggs were collected from 98%, but it was not compared with the standard trigger.

**Is kisspeptin safe?**

FDA says safety data for kisspeptin-10 are lacking and has put it on its safety-risk list for compounding. In the UK it is given only in hospital research studies.

## Sources

- Abbara et al. 2017: kisspeptin-54 as an IVF trigger: https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/32/9/1915/3978700
- Mills et al. 2023: kisspeptin in men with low desire: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9898824/
- 2025 review of kisspeptin therapeutics: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12112093/