LIBIDO KILL

A drug that activates melanocortin receptors in the brain. Under the name Vyleesi it is FDA-approved for acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women.

Acts on desire pathways in the brain rather than on blood flow, which is how drugs like sildenafil work.

• —Two phase 3 trials in premenopausal women found modest improvements in desire and related distress compared with placebo.
• —For men and postmenopausal women the evidence is limited and the use is off-label.

• —Nausea is very common; flushing and headache are frequent.
• —Raises blood pressure and lowers heart rate for several hours; not for people with uncontrolled high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease.
• —Can cause darkening of patches of skin, gums or face.

A ten-amino-acid fragment of kisspeptin, the hormone that switches on the reproductive-hormone cascade in the brain.

Triggers GnRH release, which raises LH and, downstream, testosterone or estrogen.

• —Small academic studies show it raises reproductive hormones acutely and changes brain responses to sexual cues on imaging. This is research into how desire works, not proof of a treatment.

• —FDA cites possible immune reactions and says it has no or limited safety information for the proposed uses.

A hormone made in the hypothalamus, involved in labour, breastfeeding, bonding and arousal.

Acts on oxytocin receptors in the uterus, breast and brain.

• —Small trials of nasal oxytocin for sexual function have produced mixed results.

• —In its approved hospital use it can over-stimulate the uterus and cause dangerously low sodium.
• —Outside that setting, safety data are limited.