A hypothalamic neuropeptide that drives GnRH pulsatility and downstream testosterone production — supporting libido through the body's own hormonal axis rather than direct activation.
| Provider | Type | Price | Review | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defy Medical | Telehealth | ~$200/mo | Read review | Get Started → |
| Nationwide Peptides | Research | $56 / 5mg | — | Visit Site → |
Telehealth only — physician-prescribed. Not currently available from research vendors. Telehealth vs. Research explained →
Kisspeptin is a family of neuropeptides (encoded by the KISS1 gene) produced primarily in the hypothalamus. It acts as the master regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis — binding to GPR54 receptors on GnRH neurons to trigger pulsatile GnRH release, which in turn stimulates LH and FSH from the pituitary, driving testosterone and estradiol production in the gonads.
By stimulating the upstream GnRH pulse, Kisspeptin enhances the entire reproductive hormone cascade in a physiologically natural way. This is particularly relevant for men with secondary hypogonadism (low testosterone due to insufficient hypothalamic/pituitary signaling rather than testicular failure), and for women with hypothalamic amenorrhea or low libido driven by hormonal insufficiency.
Kisspeptin has been studied in clinical trials for male and female reproductive health. In men with low testosterone and suppressed HPG axis, Kisspeptin-54 infusions restored pulsatile LH secretion and increased testosterone. For women, it has been used to trigger ovulation in IVF protocols as an alternative to hCG, with a lower risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.