Though low libido (and overall sex drive) can be one of the more frustrating things to deal with in your life (and relationship), surprisingly, it’s one of the most common ones, affecting 1 in every 5 men (it is estimated that the number in women is even greater).
But why does this happen? On the one hand, a lower libido is normal, especially as the relationship progresses, it deepens and you might start putting more emphasis on other other things, at the expense of sex.
Though you might go through periods of reduced libido and sexual desire in your relationship, they are not meant to last for too long, and are usually replaced by periods of high libido and the desire for intimacy with your partner.
The problem might arise if these low periods span for longer, if they occur suddenly or cause a complete loss of interest in your partner. This might indicate a more serious health problem (which will eventually turn into a relationship problem) and should prompt you to go see a doctor.

If you’d like to skim through the top peptides for boosting libido and sex drive, read through our list below:
- PT-141
- Sermorelin
- Melanotan
- Ipamorelin
- Gonadorelin
If you’d like to know more about what causes these drops in libido, you can skip over to the “Main Causes” section, as now we’re going to talk more about these libido boosting peptides:
PT-141 Libido-Boosting Peptide for Men and Women
PT-141, also known as Bremelanotide, is a synthetic peptide specially formulated to boost libido in both men and women. And the way it does so is also interesting; unlike some other chemical substances that affect the blood flow to the “certain areas of our body,” PT-141 stimulates the nervous system and triggers the release of dopamine.
PT-141 also stimulates the brain’s melanocortin and melanocortin receptors that regulate and normalize sexual arousal and desire.
As we already said, unlike other products/chemicals you might come across on the market that are aimed either at men or women, PT-141 benefits both sexes and their sexual desire. Research shows that it:
- Boosts libido
- Invokes sexual arousal
- Helps mitigate erectile dysfunction in men
- Helps mitigate sexual dysfunction in women
- Improves sexual performance
Sermorelin Stimulates Growth Hormone and Enhances Libido
You’ll be glad to hear that Sermorelin is an FDA-approved human growth hormone secretagogue, meaning it stimulates our pituitary gland to produce this hormone.
Before we go on talking about Sermorelin, let’s quickly discuss the importance of human growth hormone. It’s crucial in the development and (as the name suggests) growth in adolescence. It promotes:
- Bone, cartilage, and body growth
- Injury recovery and healing
- Fat and muscle tissue regulation
- Cell regulation and proliferation
As you can see, Sermorelin is one of the premier peptides that aids in the development of the body, but it has another important quality that’s interesting for the topic of today’s article.
Sermorelin will also increase the natural secretion of endogenous hormones which will boost your libido and sexual desire.
CJC-1295 Boosts Regeneration and Libido
CJC-1295 is a synthetically produced peptide with the original intention to treat diabetes. But as the researchers started to conduct more tests and studies, they began uncovering other qualities and previously unknown benefits. The most noticeable benefits include protein synthesis stimulation and boost insulin-like growth factor levels.
Not only that, studies have shown that CJC-1295 helps with fat loss and shortens the recovery process, which made it one of the most preferred peptides in bodybuilders and people interested in body recomposition.
Another, more interesting “side effect” many users reported is an increase in libido and an overall enhance in mood and well-being.

Ipamorelin Supports Testosterone and Libido
Ipamorelin is another synthetic peptide that actually has a similar effect to CJC-1295, which is why you often see these two being applied in combination. Just like CJC, it too is a strong human growth hormone secretagogue as it stimulates the pituitary gland.
Unlike CJC however, Ipamorelin also stimulates ghrelin receptors which aids in appetite suppression and regulation.
Though it does not stimulate libido in a direct manner, it can affect it indirectly by:
- Increasing your energy and vitality – boosting energy levels, strength and muscle mass will, in most cases, improve your libido and both your and your partner’s sexual desire
- Improving mood – elevated mood will inevitably lead to a stronger desire for sex
- Increasing testosterone production – by supporting and increasing testosterone production, Ipamorelin will indirectly raise your libido
Melanotan II Appetite and Libido Effects
Also known as the “Barbie peptide,” Melanotan II is a synthetic analog of the naturally occurring hormone alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). As surprising as it may sound, this peptide was initially developed for its potential in skin tanning.
Later research showed some surprising effects in appetite suppression and, even more surprising, sexual arousal and libido boosting.
Here are some of the most noteworthy qualities of Melanotan:
- Helps with tanning – this peptide was initially researched and produced for its ability to induce skin tanning, which it does by stimulating melanocytes to produce melanin in the skin. Before you think of Melanotan as a “vanity peptide” meant only to help people appear more sunburnt and tan, know that it’s actually a preferred treatment option for a lesser known percent of the population suffering from photosensitivity.
- Suppresses appetite – though the evidence of Melanotan’s effectiveness on appetite suppression and weight loss is limited, some research and anecdotal evidence suggest it helps regulate food intake and energy balance in the body.
- Sexual arousal – though the exact mechanism remains unknown, the majority of users reported increased libido and sexual desire while taking Melanotan.
What Are The Main Causes Of Reduced Libido In Men And Women?
As we previously mentioned, loss in sexual desire and reduced libido can be completely. It comes and goes in waves but if it persists, you should take action.
Here are some of the most common causes of reduced libido in both men and women:
- Relationship problems
- Anxiety and depression
- Erectile dysfunction and vaginal dryness
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Taking certain medication
- Drinking too much
These are what we would call mild, benign causes, but there are also more severe ones including:
- A serious medical illness
- Diabetes
- Kidney problems
- Hypertension
- Arthritis etc.
In most cases a loss in sex drive is not caused by these more severe medical problems but it’s important to keep everything in mind when deciding on your next move.
Testosterone in Libido and Sexual Function
If you think low testosterone levels only affect the male population, think again. In women, testosterone intensifies orgasms and enhances the overall sexual experience and arousal. Not only that, low T levels may also trigger lethargy, bad mood and depression; this is especially evident in post-menopausal women.
Speaking of men, as they age, their T levels drop naturally. This natural occurrence will inevitably dampen their sexual performance and libido and may even lead to erectile dysfunction. Low testosterone levels may also be characterized by bad mood (may even led to depressive states), insomnia, memory issues and even loss in bone and muscle mass.
Estrogen And Progesterone
When it comes to our body and sexual arousal, hormones are everything. Which is why when progesterone drops estrogen takes over. This commonly occurs in perimenopause or when a woman is stressed.
This estrogen dominant state leads to decreased sexual desire and reduced libido in women. Other symptoms of low progesterone and high estrogen are decreased clitoral sensitivity, vaginal dryness, fatigue, frequent headaches and low sexual desire.
How To Boost Testosterone Levels And Libido?
The very first thing you need to do, before deciding on any (self) therapy is to get yourself checked out and check your hormone levels. And if there’s a problem, your doctor will likely tell you about your options and the best course of action.
But if you’d like to try and boost/regulate your testosterone levels on your own and boost your libido, here’s something you can try:
- Practice proper sleep – this is one of the simplest, yet often overlooked ways you can naturally increase your testosterone levels without any supplements or chemicals. When it comes to sleep, you need to be mindful of both its duration as well as the quality, to get the optimal benefits.
- Maintain a healthy weight – though you might feel good in your skin even though you’ve got excess weight, your body will react to it in a negative way… at least when it comes to testosterone levels. So, dropping a few pounds may come a long way in boosting your T levels and increasing your libido.
- Maintain a healthy diet – a well balanced diet is one of the most crucial ways to keep your hormone balance in check and, in turn, maintain healthy testosterone levels, whether you’re a man or a woman.
- Managing stress – stress is known as being a “testosterone killer” as chronic stress may disrupt your T production, causing its levels to drop significantly.
- Reduce alcohol consumption – though we often hate to admit it, drinking alcohol (even if you’re not drinking it to excess) does come with a number of health risks… especially if you’re drinking it over an extended period of time. Truthfully speaking, alcohol consumption can bump up T production and improve your mood, but once you continue to indulge in it and turn it into an everyday habit, it will drop your testosterone levels even below your initial levels.
- Take supplements – over the years many supplements popped up. One such supplement is a group of chemicals called peptides. At the beginning of this article, we’ve outlined several that could help boost your testosterone levels, increase your libido and sex drive.
- Testosterone therapy – T therapy should be your last step to beating the low T levels battle, but one that should be done under strict medical supervision. You should not try to administer any sort of hormone or testosterone therapy on your own.