Kisspeptin (kisspeptin-10 and -54): research, side effects and dosage in studies
In short
Kisspeptin is a peptide hormone the body makes itself that switches on sex hormone release [2]. In small human studies it raised LH and testosterone levels [3]B, but it has no marketing authorisation as a medicine [12]regulator.
- The importance of kisspeptin came to light through inherited disorders: defects in the gene for its receptor prevent puberty from starting [1]B.
- In human experiments kisspeptin-10 and kisspeptin-54 raised LH and testosterone levels [3]B [17]A, and in phase 2 trials kisspeptin-54 triggered egg maturation in IVF [6, 7]A.
- With repeated dosing the response can fade: in women the LH response almost disappeared within two weeks [5]A.
- The studies are small, and most were done by the same London research group [4, 5, 6, 8, 10]A.
- There is no authorised medicine containing kisspeptin in the EU [12, 13]regulator. On the WADA Prohibited List it is banned at all times in males (S2.2.1) [15]regulator.
What is kisspeptin?
Kisspeptins are peptides the body makes itself that control the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the brain and through it the whole reproductive hormone system [2]. Kisspeptin-54 is the longer form, and kisspeptin-10 is the shortest sequence with full biological activity [3]B.
The importance of kisspeptin came to light through inherited disorders: defects in the gene for its receptor (GPR54) caused a condition in humans and mice in which puberty does not start (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism) [1]B. Kisspeptin is also found in the placenta, liver, pancreas, fat tissue and bone [2].
Kisspeptin is not an approved medicine: there is no authorised product containing it in the EU [12, 13]regulator. Basics: What are peptides?. All substances: Peptides A-Z.
Evidence at a glance
Each cell gives the kind of study and its source. The letter is the evidence level, not the result.
| Claimed effect | Humans | Animals | Cells |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start of puberty | A defect in the receptor gene (GPR54) prevented puberty in families [1]B | In mice the same gene defect caused the same condition [1]C | - |
| LH and testosterone (men) | Rose in healthy men [3]B [17]A; given under the skin 8 hours a day for 12 days [4]A | - | - |
| Egg maturation (IVF) | Maturation triggered in studies of 53-62 women [18]B [6, 7]A | - | - |
| Hypothalamic amenorrhoea | First injection raised LH, twice-daily response faded [5]A; twice weekly, hormones raised for 8 weeks [20]B | - | - |
| Sexual desire | A single infusion changed brain responses in 32 women and 32 men [8, 9]A | - | - |
| Anxiety | No change in 95 participants [10]A | - | - |
| Safety | Well tolerated in short studies [8, 10, 19]A; no long-term data. The FDA lacks sufficient information on kisspeptin-10 [11]regulator | - | - |
"-" = no such study is known.
What is kisspeptin studied for?
Kisspeptin is being studied in humans for the treatment and diagnosis of reproductive disorders, but no use is approved [2] [12]regulator.
- IVF: triggering egg maturation in women at high risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) [6, 7]A.
- Hypothalamic amenorrhoea: women whose periods have stopped because of the brain's hormone control [5]A [20]B.
- Low sexual desire: the effect of a single infusion on brain activity [8, 9]A.
- Hormone response in healthy people: the rise in LH and testosterone in men [3]B [4, 17]A.
According to a review, kisspeptin is also being studied in pregnancy, metabolic, liver, bone and behavioural disorders, but these are still at the research stage [2].
Online claims. The claim that it raises testosterone permanently is not based on studies: with continuous dosing the response faded [4, 5]A.
How does kisspeptin work?
Kisspeptin binds to its receptor (GPR54) and switches on GnRH release in the brain. GnRH makes the pituitary gland release luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which control the gonads [2].
In men, kisspeptin-10 given into a vein raised LH rapidly and dose-dependently and increased the frequency of LH pulses [3]B.
Given into the nose, kisspeptin-54 raised gonadotropins in humans. In the same study, kisspeptin given into the nose of mice accumulated in the olfactory epithelium, and the researchers suggest the effect runs through GnRH nerve cells of the olfactory system [19]C. The mouse finding is not a human study.
Has kisspeptin been studied in humans?
Yes, but little. The human studies described here are small, with about 6-95 participants, and lasted eight weeks at most [17, 10]A [20]B. Most were done by the same London research group (Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital) [4, 5, 6, 8, 10]A.
Hormone response in men
In a placebo-controlled experiment in six men, a 90-minute kisspeptin-54 infusion raised LH, FSH and testosterone compared with saline [17]A. Kisspeptin-10 given into a vein rapidly and dose-dependently raised LH in healthy men, and a 22.5-hour infusion raised testosterone [3]B. Kisspeptin-10 given under the skin for 8 hours a day kept LH and FSH raised for 12 days in 7 healthy men [4]A.
IVF
- 53 women (2014). A single kisspeptin-54 injection under the skin triggered egg maturation at every dose tested. A biochemical pregnancy occurred in 40% and a clinical pregnancy in 23% [18]B.
- 60 women at high OHSS risk (2015). In an open-label phase 2 trial, the injection triggered egg maturation in 95% of women, and none developed moderate or severe OHSS [6]A.
- 62 women at high OHSS risk (2017). In a randomised trial, a second dose 10 hours later increased the share of women in whom at least 60% of eggs were retrieved mature (from 45% to 71%) [7]A.
Hypothalamic amenorrhoea
In women whose periods had stopped because of hypothalamic dysfunction, the first kisspeptin-54 injection raised LH strongly, but after two weeks of twice-daily treatment the response had almost disappeared (5 women in each group) [5]A. Given twice a week the response weakened only partly, and after eight weeks reproductive hormones were raised compared with saline [20]B.
Sexual desire and the brain
A 75-minute kisspeptin-54 infusion changed brain activity linked to sexual stimuli on functional MRI in women (32 participants) and men (32 participants) with low sexual desire [8, 9]A. In men, penile tumescence in response to sexual videos increased by up to 56% compared with placebo [9]A. Each trial compared a single infusion with placebo, and the authors see the results only as a basis for a possible treatment [8, 9]A.
Anxiety and kisspeptin given into the nose
In a placebo-controlled study in 95 participants, kisspeptin-54 raised LH but did not change anxiety, cortisol, blood pressure or heart rate [10]A. In a randomised crossover study, kisspeptin-54 given into the nose rapidly raised LH in healthy men and women and in women with hypothalamic amenorrhoea [19]A.
Who studies kisspeptin?
Most of the human studies described on this page were done by a research group at Imperial College London and Hammersmith Hospital [4, 5, 6, 8, 10]A. The nasal study also involved a French group from the University of Lille [19]A.
Author of this page: the editorial team
This page was written by the Molecular Recovery editorial team. The draft was made with the help of AI, and the claims were checked against the sources (AI policy). The page has not been medically reviewed. How we work: About us.
How long does kisspeptin stay in the body?
Kisspeptin stays in the body for a short time. In men the half-life of kisspeptin-54 in plasma was about 28 minutes (27.6 minutes) [17]A. Many studies gave it as an infusion into a vein [3]B [8, 9, 10]A.
What are the side effects of kisspeptin?
Few harms of kisspeptin were reported in short studies. In the study in women, kisspeptin was well tolerated and no adverse effects were reported [8]A. In a study of 95 participants it did not affect blood pressure, heart rate or anxiety [10]A. Given into the nose, no side effects were seen [19]A, and no adverse effects were observed in the eight-week study [20]B.
Fertility treatment
In the trial of 60 women, none developed moderate or severe hyperstimulation syndrome [6]A, and in the trial of 62 women ovarian over-response or moderate hyperstimulation syndrome occurred in one woman [7]A.
Risks in products
The FDA says compounded drugs containing kisspeptin-10 may carry a risk of immune reactions by certain routes of administration and peptide-related impurities, and the FDA lacks sufficient information on whether the substance would cause harm in humans [11]regulator. According to Fimea, impurities such as endotoxins in injectable products raise the risk of serious health hazards [16]regulator.
What has not been studied
- Rare and long-term harms: the studies were small and lasted eight weeks at most [4, 5]A [20]B.
- The safety of injecting kisspeptin-10 sold online: the FDA lacks sufficient information [11]regulator.
More: Side effects and safety.
Interactions and who has no data
There are no study data on interactions with other medicines. In IVF, kisspeptin was given under supervision as part of fertility treatment [6, 7]A.
There are no data on children or pregnant women, and all studies were short [4, 5]A.
What speaks against it and what is unknown
The clearest counter-evidence concerns repeated use: with continuous dosing the hormone response faded [4, 5]A.
Counter-evidence
- Kisspeptin-54 given twice a day raised hormones strongly on the first day, but after two weeks the response had almost disappeared [5]A. Given twice a day, the FSH response was nearly abolished by day 2 [20]B.
- During a five-day continuous infusion, gonadotropin levels in men were at placebo level, although testosterone remained raised [4]A.
- Kisspeptin-54 did not change anxiety, cortisol, blood pressure or heart rate [10]A.
What the evidence does not support
- "Kisspeptin is an approved fertility medicine": it is not. The IVF results come from phase 2 trials [6, 7]A, and there is no authorised medicine containing kisspeptin in the EU [12]regulator.
- "Kisspeptin raises testosterone permanently": this has not been shown. With continuous dosing the response can fade [4, 5]A.
- "Kisspeptin is a proven treatment for low sexual desire": it is not. A single infusion changed brain activity and some measures of desire in small trials [8, 9]A.
- "Kisspeptin is allowed in sport because the body makes it": on the WADA 2026 Prohibited List, kisspeptin and its agonist analogues are prohibited in males under class S2.2.1 [15]regulator.
What is unknown
- Whether kisspeptin works with long-term use: with continuous dosing the response faded, but intermittent dosing kept hormones raised for 12 days [4, 5]A.
- Whether kisspeptin is better than established ways to trigger egg maturation: the authors say direct comparison trials are needed [7]A.
- Whether the brain effects lead to benefit in disorders of sexual desire: the effect has been studied only with single infusions [8, 9]A.
Kisspeptin dosage in studies
There is no approved dosage, because kisspeptin has no marketing authorisation [12, 13]regulator. Below are the doses used in human studies. Doses of kisspeptin-10 and kisspeptin-54 cannot be compared directly, and the units vary.
| Study | Who | Dose and route | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dhillo 2005 (kisspeptin-54) | 6 healthy men, saline as control | 4 pmol/kg per minute as an infusion into a vein | 90 minutes [17]A |
| George 2011 (kisspeptin-10) | healthy men | 0.01-3.0 µg/kg as single doses into a vein; as an infusion 1.5 or 4 µg/kg per hour | infusion up to 22.5 hours [3]B |
| Jayasena 2009 (kisspeptin-54) | 10 women with hypothalamic amenorrhoea (5 kisspeptin, 5 saline) | 6.4 nmol/kg under the skin twice a day | 2 weeks [5]A |
| Jayasena 2014 (kisspeptin-54) | 53 women undergoing IVF | 1.6, 3.2, 6.4 or 12.8 nmol/kg under the skin, one injection | eggs collected 36 hours later [18]B |
| Abbara 2015 (kisspeptin-54) | 60 women undergoing IVF, high OHSS risk | 3.2-12.8 nmol/kg under the skin, one injection | eggs collected 36 hours later [6]A |
| Abbara 2017 (kisspeptin-54) | 62 women undergoing IVF, high OHSS risk | 9.6 nmol/kg under the skin; 10 hours later the same dose or saline | two injections [7]A |
| Thurston 2022, Mills 2023, Mills 2025 (kisspeptin-54) | 32 women, 32 men and 95 adults, compared with placebo | 1 nmol/kg per hour as an infusion into a vein | one 75-minute infusion [8, 9, 10]A |
| Mills 2025, into the nose (kisspeptin-54) | healthy men and women and women with hypothalamic amenorrhoea; compared with placebo | 12.8 nmol/kg into the nose | single dose [19]A |
| Yeung 2026 (kisspeptin-10) | healthy men (7 men in the 12-day phase) | under the skin as an infusion of 1.25-10.0 nmol/kg per hour; 180 nmol per hour continuously; 150 nmol per hour for 8 hours a day | 8 hours; 5 days; 12 days [4]A |
What the figures do not tell you. They are not instructions or recommendations. They come from short, supervised studies in which the dose was often calculated per kilogram of body weight and given as an infusion. With repeated dosing the response can weaken [5]A, and study results do not tell what a product sold online contains [16]regulator.
More detail: kisspeptin doses in studies. The calculator has no ready-made preset for kisspeptin: calculator.
Kisspeptin-10 vs kisspeptin-54: what is the difference?
Both are forms of the same hormone: kisspeptin-54 is the longer one, and kisspeptin-10 is the shortest sequence with full biological activity [3]B.
- Studies: kisspeptin-10 has been studied mainly in hormone experiments in healthy men [3]B [4]A. Kisspeptin-54 has also been studied in IVF, hypothalamic amenorrhoea and sexual desire [5, 6, 7, 8, 9]A.
- Doses: they cannot be compared directly, because the forms and units differ [3]B [17]A.
- United States: it is kisspeptin-10 specifically that is in FDA compounding category 2 [11]regulator.
Situation in the United States
In the United States kisspeptin-10 has been nominated as a bulk substance for pharmacy compounding, and the FDA added it on 29 Sep 2023 to compounding category 2, the category for bulk substances that may present significant safety risks (page updated 22 Apr 2026) [11]regulator.
Is kisspeptin legal in Finland?
Kisspeptin has no marketing authorisation as a medicine, and it is not named in the Finnish medicines list [12, 13, 14]regulator.
- Marketing authorisation. The EMA Article 57 product list (data as of 21 Sep 2026) contained no kisspeptin product in any EEA country, and the EMA data set of centrally authorised medicines contained no kisspeptin on 12 Oct 2026 [12, 13]regulator.
- Medicines list. Kisspeptin is not named in the Finnish medicines list, but the list is not exhaustive: substances that meet the definition of a medicine in the Medicines Act are medicines, and Fimea decides when needed whether a product is a medicine [14]regulator. According to Fimea, a product injected through the skin may be a medicine in Finland [16]regulator.
- Fimea warning, 29 June 2026. Fimea advises not ordering injectable peptides online. The warning does not name kisspeptin [16]regulator.
- Import. Ordering medicines from outside the EU is covered on Peptides and the law in Finland. Bringing them back from trips: Travelling with peptides.
This is not legal advice. Disclaimer.
Is kisspeptin doping?
Yes, in males. On the WADA 2026 Prohibited List, kisspeptin and its agonist analogues fall under class S2.2.1 (testosterone-stimulating peptides in males). Class S2 substances are prohibited at all times, including out of competition [15]regulator.
How is a kisspeptin product assessed?
You cannot be sure what a product contains. In the studies, kisspeptin activity was confirmed by measuring LH in the blood [10]A, but study results do not tell what a product sold online contains.
For kisspeptin-10 the FDA points to peptide-related impurities and complexities in characterising the active ingredient [11]regulator. According to Fimea, an unauthorised product may contain a different substance than the packaging states, and a product labelled "for research use only" is not intended for humans [16]regulator. A certificate of analysis (COA) does not show that a product is safe. More: How to read a COA and check a test result. Handling: Mixing and handling.
FAQ
What is kisspeptin?
A peptide hormone the body makes itself that controls GnRH release and through it the sex hormones [2]. Kisspeptin-10 is its short, fully biologically active sequence [3]B.
Kisspeptin effects: what did studies find?
It raised LH and testosterone levels [3]B [4]A, triggered egg maturation in IVF [6]A and changed brain responses to sexual stimuli [8, 9]A. The studies were small and short [4, 5]A.
Kisspeptin-10 experiences: what do studies say?
User accounts of this substance have not been compiled on this site. Human studies of kisspeptin-10 are small hormone experiments in healthy men [3]B [4]A, and the FDA lacks sufficient safety information on compounded products [11]regulator.
Kisspeptin side effects: what is known?
In short studies kisspeptin was well tolerated and did not change blood pressure, heart rate or anxiety [8, 10]A. There are no data on long-term use, and with repeated use the response can weaken [5]A.
Does kisspeptin raise testosterone permanently?
This has not been shown. With continuous dosing the response can fade: after a five-day continuous infusion, gonadotropins in men were at placebo level [4]A.
Kisspeptin dosage: is there a studied dose?
There is no approved dose. The amounts used in studies are under kisspeptin dosage in studies, and they are not a recommendation [3]B [6]A.
Kisspeptin in Finland: is it legal?
There is no authorised medicine containing kisspeptin [12]regulator. The medicines list is not exhaustive, and according to Fimea an injectable product may be a medicine in Finland. Fimea advises not ordering injectable peptides online [14, 16]regulator. This is not legal advice.
Kisspeptin and doping: is it banned?
Yes, in males. On the WADA 2026 Prohibited List, kisspeptin and its agonist analogues are in class S2.2.1 and prohibited at all times [15]regulator.
Read the research yourself: sources
Every source opens the original publication or the regulator's page. The level shows what the source itself reports.
- Seminara SB, Messager S, Chatzidaki EE, et al. The GPR54 gene as a regulator of puberty. N Engl J Med. 2003;349(17):1614-1627. PMID 14573733 B
- Patel B, Koysombat K, Mills EG, et al. The Emerging Therapeutic Potential of Kisspeptin and Neurokinin B. Endocr Rev. 2024;45(1):30-68. PMID 37467734 (review)
- George JT, Veldhuis JD, Roseweir AK, et al. Kisspeptin-10 is a potent stimulator of LH and increases pulse frequency in men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011;96(8):E1228-E1236. PMID 21632807 B
- Yeung AC, Phylactou M, Koysombat K, et al. Chronic subcutaneous kisspeptin-10 stimulates gonadotropin secretion for 12 days in healthy men. Eur J Endocrinol. 2026;195(2):206-216. PMID 42549827 A
- Jayasena CN, Nijher GM, Chaudhri OB, et al. Subcutaneous injection of kisspeptin-54 acutely stimulates gonadotropin secretion in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea, but chronic administration causes tachyphylaxis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009;94(11):4315-4323. PMID 19820030 A
- Abbara A, Jayasena CN, Christopoulos G, et al. Efficacy of Kisspeptin-54 to Trigger Oocyte Maturation in Women at High Risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) During In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Therapy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(9):3322-3331. PMID 26192876 A
- Abbara A, Clarke S, Islam R, et al. A second dose of kisspeptin-54 improves oocyte maturation in women at high risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a Phase 2 randomized controlled trial. Hum Reprod. 2017;32(9):1915-1924. PMID 28854728 A
- Thurston L, Hunjan T, Ertl N, et al. Effects of Kisspeptin Administration in Women With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(10):e2236131. PMID 36287566 A
- Mills EG, Ertl N, Wall MB, et al. Effects of Kisspeptin on Sexual Brain Processing and Penile Tumescence in Men With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(2):e2254313. PMID 36735255 A
- Mills EG, Thurston L, Yang L, et al. Kisspeptin Administration Stimulates Reproductive Hormones but Does Not Affect Anxiety in Humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2025;110(11):3133-3141. PMID 40036336 A
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks (content current as of 22 Apr 2026): Kisspeptin-10, 503A category 2. FDA regulator
- European Medicines Agency. Article 57 product data (EMA/518502/2018, data as of 21 Sep 2026): no product with kisspeptin. EMA regulator
- European Medicines Agency. Medicine data (centrally authorised medicines, data set of 12 Oct 2026): no product with kisspeptin. EMA regulator
- Finland. Lääkeluettelo (Fimea medicines list), 230/2025, section 1 and annexes 1 and 1 A. Finlex regulator
- World Anti-Doping Agency. 2026 Prohibited List. WADA regulator
- Fimea. Fimea varoittaa: älä käytä verkosta ostettuja pistettäviä peptidejä / Fimea warns: do not use injectable peptides purchased online. 29 Jun 2026. Fimea regulator
- Dhillo WS, Chaudhri OB, Patterson M, et al. Kisspeptin-54 stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal axis in human males. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005;90(12):6609-6615. PMID 16174713 A
- Jayasena CN, Abbara A, Comninos AN, et al. Kisspeptin-54 triggers egg maturation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization. J Clin Invest. 2014;124(8):3667-3677. PMID 25036713 B
- Mills EG, Silva MSB, Delli V, et al. Intranasal kisspeptin administration rapidly stimulates gonadotropin release in humans. EBioMedicine. 2025;115:105689. PMID 40215751 A
- Jayasena CN, Nijher GM, Abbara A, et al. Twice-weekly administration of kisspeptin-54 for 8 weeks stimulates release of reproductive hormones in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2010;88(6):840-847. PMID 20980998 B
Research sources checked 12-13 Oct 2026. Regulator and registry sources checked 12 Oct 2026. The Fimea warning does not name kisspeptin.
Evidence levels: A = randomised human trial or meta-analysis · B = observational human study or case series · C = animal study · D = cell or laboratory study · E = not peer-reviewed · regulator = a regulator's assessment or decision, not research evidence. The marker official means official product information (summary of product characteristics or label); it is not research evidence. For a review, the level shows what kind of research the statement rests on. No level: statements that something has not been studied, reviews' interpretations, named hypotheses and the general rules in our certificate-of-analysis guide.
Content is general information about research, not medical advice. If you have symptoms, contact a healthcare professional.