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Sex drive boosted by hormone kisspeptin in trials | Sex drive boosted by hormone kisspeptin in trials |
(4 months later) | |
Giving the hormone kisspeptin to men and women with low sex drive could help boost their sexual brain activity, two small trials suggest. | Giving the hormone kisspeptin to men and women with low sex drive could help boost their sexual brain activity, two small trials suggest. |
Scans of participants' brains while they watched erotic videos showed the hormone was able to stimulate key areas linked to sexual desire. | Scans of participants' brains while they watched erotic videos showed the hormone was able to stimulate key areas linked to sexual desire. |
The UK researchers say kisspeptin has potential to treat a condition that affects up to 10% of people. | The UK researchers say kisspeptin has potential to treat a condition that affects up to 10% of people. |
But much larger studies are needed first to confirm their findings. | But much larger studies are needed first to confirm their findings. |
Younger people are more likely to say low sexual desire is a problem than older people, the Imperial College London researchers say. | Younger people are more likely to say low sexual desire is a problem than older people, the Imperial College London researchers say. |
Not everyone is bothered by it, but when it becomes distressing, it can have devastating psychological and social impacts. | Not everyone is bothered by it, but when it becomes distressing, it can have devastating psychological and social impacts. |
Peter, not his real name, 43, had suffered with low sexual appetite all his life when he volunteered for the trial. | Peter, not his real name, 43, had suffered with low sexual appetite all his life when he volunteered for the trial. |
"I always had excuses - too tired or too stressed - for not having sex," he says. | "I always had excuses - too tired or too stressed - for not having sex," he says. |
"But I couldn't tell partners because I didn't want them to confuse it with a lack of attraction." | "But I couldn't tell partners because I didn't want them to confuse it with a lack of attraction." |
Women 'more likely to lose interest in sex than men' | Women 'more likely to lose interest in sex than men' |
Modern life 'turning people off sex' | Modern life 'turning people off sex' |
'Safer' kisspeptin IVF shows promise | 'Safer' kisspeptin IVF shows promise |
'Not aroused' | 'Not aroused' |
Kisspeptin is a naturally-occurring hormone that stimulates the release of other reproductive hormones inside the body. It plays a crucial role during puberty. | Kisspeptin is a naturally-occurring hormone that stimulates the release of other reproductive hormones inside the body. It plays a crucial role during puberty. |
Previous research found it can stimulate women's ovaries to produce eggs, while it has also been shown to improve mood in healthy men. | Previous research found it can stimulate women's ovaries to produce eggs, while it has also been shown to improve mood in healthy men. |
This is the first time it has been tested on people with loss of libido which affects their life. | This is the first time it has been tested on people with loss of libido which affects their life. |
"Women and men with low sexual desire find there is too much thinking about performance - they are introspective and that suppresses primal urges so they are not aroused," explains co-study author Dr Alexander Comninos, from Imperial College. | "Women and men with low sexual desire find there is too much thinking about performance - they are introspective and that suppresses primal urges so they are not aroused," explains co-study author Dr Alexander Comninos, from Imperial College. |
"Kisspeptin restores normal balance so there is less self-monitoring," he says. | "Kisspeptin restores normal balance so there is less self-monitoring," he says. |
The hormone works differently to the drug Viagra, which treats erectile dysfunction by improving blood supply to the penis. | The hormone works differently to the drug Viagra, which treats erectile dysfunction by improving blood supply to the penis. |
The studies - of 32 heterosexual men (aged 21-52) and 32 heterosexual women (aged 19-48) - are the first to trial kisspeptin in people with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. | The studies - of 32 heterosexual men (aged 21-52) and 32 heterosexual women (aged 19-48) - are the first to trial kisspeptin in people with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. |
Those taking part were hooked up to a kisspeptin drip and then, on another occasion, to a dummy drip. | Those taking part were hooked up to a kisspeptin drip and then, on another occasion, to a dummy drip. |
Their mood, behaviour and brain activity were analysed while watching erotic videos in an MRI scanner. | Their mood, behaviour and brain activity were analysed while watching erotic videos in an MRI scanner. |
Men also had their penis measured for rigidity at the same time. | Men also had their penis measured for rigidity at the same time. |
'I conceived my son' | 'I conceived my son' |
Peter says the experience of lying in a scanner while his erection was measured for the trial was "surreal". | Peter says the experience of lying in a scanner while his erection was measured for the trial was "surreal". |
He is glad he took part though. "I'm a dad now. The week I had the dose I conceived my son," he says. | He is glad he took part though. "I'm a dad now. The week I had the dose I conceived my son," he says. |
No-one can prove whether that was linked to the hormone or not, but Peter says he feels he "has more of an interest in initiating sex now". | No-one can prove whether that was linked to the hormone or not, but Peter says he feels he "has more of an interest in initiating sex now". |
Kisspeptin was found to improve activity in key brain regions linked to sexual desire in both men and women. | Kisspeptin was found to improve activity in key brain regions linked to sexual desire in both men and women. |
Those who were most distressed by their low sex drive showed the greatest improvements. | Those who were most distressed by their low sex drive showed the greatest improvements. |
And penile rigidity increased by up to 56% when men were given kisspeptin compared to placebo, the study reports. | And penile rigidity increased by up to 56% when men were given kisspeptin compared to placebo, the study reports. |
"Most saw a positive effect in the MRI scanner - which is not a very sexy environment - so maybe at home in the bedroom the effect may be more pronounced," Dr Comninos said. | "Most saw a positive effect in the MRI scanner - which is not a very sexy environment - so maybe at home in the bedroom the effect may be more pronounced," Dr Comninos said. |
Overall, women said they felt "more sexy" during kisspeptin while men reported improved "happiness about sex". | Overall, women said they felt "more sexy" during kisspeptin while men reported improved "happiness about sex". |
The study in women and the study in men are both published in JAMA Network Open. | The study in women and the study in men are both published in JAMA Network Open. |
The NHS website says low sex drive is quite common and can be caused by a variety of factors, including relationship problems, stress, erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness, lower hormone levels during the menopause and tiredness after having a baby. | The NHS website says low sex drive is quite common and can be caused by a variety of factors, including relationship problems, stress, erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness, lower hormone levels during the menopause and tiredness after having a baby. |
Taking certain medicines, for example antidepressants, or using certain contraceptives can also have an effect on libido, as can drinking too much alcohol. | Taking certain medicines, for example antidepressants, or using certain contraceptives can also have an effect on libido, as can drinking too much alcohol. |
Some long-term conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, an underactive thyroid or cancer. can also affect sex drive. | Some long-term conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, an underactive thyroid or cancer. can also affect sex drive. |
Related Topics | Related Topics |
Men | Men |
Health | |
Women | Women |
Sex | Sex |