Also called Bremelanotide, PT-141 is a synthetic melanocortin receptor agonist that promotes dopamine release. Since it has such a high affinity for MC4R (Melanocortin 4 Receptor), in the presynaptic neurons of the hypothalamus, it has been approved as a treatment for HSDD (hypoactive sexual desire disorder) in premenopausal women. Under the brand name Vyleesi, Bremelanotide is the first and only FDA-approved way of HSDD treatment.

Sexual Dysfunctions

As we already said, PT-141 is an effective treatment for HSDD in premenopausal women but it’s important to note it should not be used as a treatment in women who already went through menopause or as a way of boosting sexual performance in men. These have not yet been fully tested.

We’ve seen the effectiveness of PT-141 (Bremelanotide) demonstrated in numerous studies. One such study followed female test subjects over the course of 52 weeks where the treated group received a 1.75mg dose right before anticipated sexual intercourse. All participants showed higher scores on general arousal, desire and orgasm, as compared to the placebo group. Also, no major side effects were linked to PT-141 application – the “most severe” ones were nausea, flushing and headache, which only occurred in around 10% of the participants.

Interestingly enough, scientists are still unsure about the Bremelanotide’s exact mechanism of action and how it leads to increased sexual desire in female patients. All we know is that it’s a potent alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone, binding predominantly to the receptors MC4R and MC1R, and, to a certain extent, to MC1R-MC5R.

PT-141 And Erectile Dysfunction

At the beginning of the article we said that PT-141 (bremelanotide) should not be used to increase sexual desire in men… but this is not entirely true as there is some emerging evidence that this peptide does affect male sexual performance. 

Currently, there are a number of effective ED treatment options available. One of the most fail-proof and common ones, incidentally the most invasive one, is an intracavernosal injection – where an injection is applied directly to corpus cavernosum (spongy tissue that runs through the shaft of the penis).

Naturally, researchers are on the lookout for a new, less invasive treatment option and are testing PT-141 as such. Though research is still in its early stages, results showed significant increases in both duration and the erection quality in both “regular” men, as well as those known to be taking viagra.

We still need more research to confirm all these findings and determine the safety and efficacy of using PT-14 as a reliable ED treatment option, but clinical studies suggest we are heading in this direction.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/bremelanotide