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D2C Peptides

Research goal

Peptides and women's health

Bremelanotide (Vyleesi) is FDA-approved for low sexual desire in premenopausal women, with small average benefits in its trials, and hCG and HMG are approved fertility drugs;121253530 most research peptides on this page have little or no data in women.6269 This page maps what people search with women's health and what published sources report on each, including pregnancy and birth control advice on medicine labels; it makes no promise.

This page summarizes published sources for information only. It is not medical advice and does not tell anyone to use a product. Questions about your own health belong with a licensed clinician. For questions about an order or a product, contact us.

What this page covers

This page groups what sources report for women into four parts: sexual desire, fertility treatment, the pregnancy, breastfeeding and birth control advice on medicine labels, and compounds with little or no data in women. Each compound links its full profile. Men's health and testosterone have their own pages: Peptides and men's health and Peptides and testosterone.

Sexual desire

PT-141 (bremelanotide)

In the phase 3 trials behind Vyleesi's approval, desire scores rose about 0.3 to 0.4 points more than with placebo over 24 weeks, on a scale of 1.2 to 6, and distress about low desire fell about 0.3 points more.2122 The number of satisfying sexual events did not change compared with placebo,23 40% of users had nausea,24 and an independent analysis calls the benefit statistically modest.25 Vyleesi is a prescription medicine, and the prescriber sets the dose.1 The full picture is on PT-141 and women's health. Read What is PT-141? or What is Vyleesi?, or see PT-141 for sale.

Kisspeptin-10

Kisspeptin research in women has used the longer kisspeptin-54, both for IVF (see the questions above) and for low sexual desire.626 In 32 women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder, a 75-minute infusion changed brain processing of sexual and facial attraction cues and was well tolerated; the authors called for larger trials.2627 FDA lists kisspeptin-10 in Category 2 of bulk substances for compounding, which it says may present significant safety risks.28 Read What is Kisspeptin-10? or see Kisspeptin-10 for sale.

Melanotan 2

Evidence in women is limited to a brief 2005 report by one of the developers of Melanotan 2, describing increased sexual desire and genital arousal, with no study size given.29 Read What is Melanotan 2? or see Melanotan 2 for sale.

Fertility treatment

HMG

HMG's labeled use is helping women grow several egg follicles during IVF or other assisted reproduction, under a fertility specialist with ultrasound and estradiol monitoring, followed by an hCG trigger.3012 In randomized trials of 727 to 749 women, pregnancy rates were similar to or slightly above those with recombinant FSH,313233 and a 2026 Cochrane review rated live birth as probably higher with HMG.15 It is a prescription drug, and the prescriber sets the dose.34 Read What is HMG? or see HMG for sale.

HCG

hCG is an FDA-approved trigger for ovulation in fertility treatment, given after FSH or other gonadotropins with estradiol and ultrasound monitoring.353637 A Cochrane review of 18 trials (2,952 participants) found no evidence of a difference between recombinant and urinary hCG in live birth, ongoing pregnancy or OHSS.3839 hCG is a prescription drug, and the prescriber sets the dose.35 Read What is HCG? or see HCG for sale.

Gonadorelin

For ovulation induction in hypothalamic amenorrhea, the Endocrine Society's 2017 guideline lists pulsatile GnRH as a first-line option where available, and a meta-analysis of 1,002 women found high ovulation rates.4041 Evidence in polycystic ovary syndrome is too small to judge (4 trials, 57 women).42 No approved gonadorelin product is available in the US.43 Read What is Gonadorelin? or see Gonadorelin for sale.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding and birth control

Semaglutide: Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy

Sex had no clinically meaningful effect on semaglutide levels in the body, and the Ozempic label notes there are no data on semaglutide in human breast milk.44 Breastfeeding is not recommended with Rybelsus, because SNAC, an ingredient of the tablet, may build up in a breastfed infant.45 Pregnancy planning is covered in the questions above. Read What is Semaglutide?, What is Ozempic? or What is Rybelsus?.

Tirzepatide: Mounjaro and Zepbound

Birth control pills may work less well with tirzepatide. The labels advise switching to a non-oral method, or adding a barrier method, for 4 weeks after starting and for 4 weeks after each dose increase.2046 Hair loss was reported in 7.1% of women on Zepbound against 1.3% of women on placebo, linked to weight reduction, and women made up 68% of its main weight trial.4748 Read What is Tirzepatide?, What is Mounjaro? or What is Zepbound?.

Tesamorelin

Tesamorelin is contraindicated in pregnancy, rat studies showed hydrocephaly in offspring, and mothers using it should not breastfeed.495051 Read What is Tesamorelin? or see Tesamorelin for sale.

SS-31

There are no human data on SS-31 (elamipretide) in pregnancy or breastfeeding, because Barth syndrome, its approved use, is not likely to affect females.52 Animal reproduction and fertility studies found no adverse effects at the doses tested.5253 Read What is SS-31? or see SS-31 for sale.

Little or no data in women

HGH

In older women in a 26-week randomized trial, growth hormone raised lean mass by 1.0 kg (2.1 kg with hormone replacement therapy), but 39% had swelling against 0% on placebo.5455 Women on oral estrogen may need a larger somatropin dose, set by the prescriber, and Turner syndrome is an approved pediatric use.5657 Read What is HGH? or see HGH for sale.

Sermorelin

Data in women are scarce: in a 16-week trial of a related GHRH analog, not sermorelin itself, the 10 women had higher IGF-1 and thicker skin, but no change in lean body mass, insulin sensitivity, well-being or libido.58596061 Read What is Sermorelin? or see Sermorelin for sale.

CJC-1295

Women were only about 13% of the participants across the three published CJC-1295 studies, so its effects and side effects in women are largely unstudied, and FDA notes the safety profile may differ in other populations.62 The ipamorelin bone studies in the blend's research used female rats.63 Read What is CJC-1295 with DAC? or What is CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin?, or see CJC-1295 with DAC for sale.

AOD-9604 and HGH Fragment 176-191

For AOD-9604 there are only subgroup results: the developer reported that one dose reached significance in women, but not overall, in a 12-week trial, and that in a 24-week trial, women who responded poorly to diet and exercise before the trial showed effects of similar size.6465 There are no data for HGH Fragment 176-191 in women, and the first four AOD-9604 trials enrolled only men.66 Read What is AOD-9604? or What is HGH Fragment 176-191?, or see AOD-9604 for sale and HGH Fragment 176-191 for sale.

MOTS-c

In female mice with their ovaries removed, MOTS-c reduced weight gain.67 In a study of children, obese girls did not have lower MOTS-c than non-obese girls, unlike boys.68 FDA found no clinical studies or human exposure data for MOTS-c by any route, so there are no results in women.69 Read What is MOTS-c? or see MOTS-c for sale.

Glow Peptide Stack

Women-specific human data exist only for one ingredient, GHK-Cu applied to the skin: 12-week face cream (71 women) and eye cream (41 women) studies, reported as conference abstracts.7071 No study has tested the Glow blend in women, and FDA found no reproductive toxicity studies of TB-500, another ingredient.7273 Read What is Glow Peptide Stack? or see Glow Peptide Stack for sale.

How to read this research

Women are often a small share of the people studied, as the CJC-1295 section shows, and 86% of participants in tesamorelin's first phase 3 trial were men.74 A result in female rats or mice, such as the ipamorelin bone work or MOTS-c in mice without ovaries, cannot show an effect in women.6367 Subgroup findings, such as the AOD-9604 results in women, come from the developer's own analyses, not from the trials' main results.6465 For the approved medicines on this page, the pregnancy, breastfeeding and birth control advice comes from the FDA labels, and the prescriber sets the dose. Full regulatory status and sources for each compound are on its profile page.

Compound by compound

  • PT-141 and women's health

    What published sources report on PT-141 and women's health, with links to the PT-141 profile and the women's health hub.

Other research goals

Frequently asked questions

Which peptide medicine is approved for low sexual desire in women?

Bremelanotide, sold as Vyleesi. FDA approved it only for premenopausal women with acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD): low desire that developed after a time of normal desire, occurs regardless of situation or partner, causes marked distress, and is not explained by another condition, relationship problems or a medicine.12 It is not approved for postmenopausal women or to enhance sexual performance.3 It is a prescription medicine, and the prescriber sets the dose.1 Kisspeptin and Melanotan 2 are not FDA approved for any use.45

Is kisspeptin used in IVF?

Only in research so far, and with kisspeptin-54 rather than kisspeptin-10. In a 2015 phase 2 trial, a single kisspeptin-54 injection matured eggs in 95% of 60 women at high risk of ovarian hyperstimulation, and none developed moderate or severe OHSS.67 The researchers say large randomized comparisons with standard triggers are still needed.8 Kisspeptin-10 itself did not raise reproductive hormones in women in the follicular phase of the cycle, only in the preovulatory phase.910

What is OHSS?

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, a listed risk of fertility drugs that stimulate the ovaries, including hCG and HMG.1112 Mild cases bring abdominal pain and stomach symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea,13 and the hCG label warns that severe OHSS can be life-threatening.11 In the trials of one hCG product, Ovidrel, OHSS occurred in 1.7% of assisted-reproduction patients and 3.0% of ovulation-induction patients.14 A 2026 Cochrane review found OHSS probably more common with recombinant FSH than with HMG.15

Can you take GLP-1 medicines while planning a pregnancy?

The labels set clear limits. Semaglutide may cause fetal harm, and its labels say to stop it at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy because it stays in the body for weeks.161718 Zepbound should be stopped when pregnancy is recognized, since weight loss offers no benefit in pregnancy and may harm the fetus.19 The Mounjaro label says human data are not enough to judge the risk, and patients are asked to tell the prescriber about pregnancy plans.20

Written by D2C Peptides Editorial Team.

Pending qualified review.

Updated .

Sources

  1. VYLEESI label (DailyMed SPL, label rev. 03/2024): Section 1, Indications and Usage. U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed); labeler Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2025.
  2. Same source as 1: definitions of acquired and generalized HSDD.
  3. Same source as 1: Limitations of Use.
  4. DailyMed search results for kisspeptin. DailyMed, NIH/NLM, 2026.
  5. FDA Fast Facts: FDA Warns Melanotan II Maker (US Pharm. 2007;32(10):72), warning letter excerpt. U.S. Pharmacist, 2007.
  6. Efficacy of Kisspeptin-54 to Trigger Oocyte Maturation in Women at High Risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) During In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Therapy (Abbara et al.), abstract: design. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (PubMed record via NCBI E-utilities), 2015.
  7. Same source as 6: Efficacy of Kisspeptin-54 to Trigger Oocyte Maturation in Women at High Risk of OHSS During IVF Therapy (Abbara et al.), abstract: outcomes.
  8. Efficacy of Kisspeptin-54 to Trigger Oocyte Maturation in Women at High Risk of OHSS During IVF Therapy (Abbara et al.): limitations and registration. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (PMC), 2015.
  9. The effects of kisspeptin-10 on reproductive hormone release show sexual dimorphism in humans (Jayasena et al.): testosterone and sex differences. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (PMC), 2011.
  10. Same source as 9: responses in women.
  11. Pregnyl (chorionic gonadotropin) for injection, prescribing information revised 3/2023: Warnings (OHSS). U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Drugs@FDA label (BLA 017692, Organon), 2023.
  12. DailyMed: MENOPUR (menotropins) kit, Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. (BLA021663; SPL version 47 of May 11, 2026; label text revised 5/2018). U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed), 2026.
  13. Same source as 11: Adverse Reactions (females, gastrointestinal).
  14. Ovidrel (choriogonadotropin alfa injection) PreFilled Syringe, US label (DailyMed, updated December 26, 2023): Warnings (OHSS incidence). DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine (EMD Serono, BLA021149), 2023.
  15. Berkhout RP, Kostova EB, van Wely M. Recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) versus other recombinant or urinary gonadotropins for ovarian stimulation in assisted reproductive technology cycles. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2026;7(7):CD005354 (PMID 42445958; doi 10.1002/14651858.CD005354.pub3). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (PubMed record via NLM E-utilities), 2026.
  16. WEGOVY (semaglutide) prescribing information, Highlights: Use in Specific Populations; Warnings (acute kidney injury). DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine (Novo Nordisk label, revised 6/2026), 2026.
  17. OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection prescribing information, Warnings (pancreatitis, hypoglycemia) and Use in Specific Populations. DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine (Novo Nordisk label, revised 5/2026), 2026.
  18. Same source as 16: section 12.3 Pharmacokinetics (elimination).
  19. Zepbound Prescribing Information, revised 08/2026: Section 8 Use in Specific Populations (pregnancy, lactation, pediatric, geriatric, renal, hepatic). Eli Lilly and Company; posted by U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026.
  20. MOUNJARO (tirzepatide) injection Prescribing Information, Medication Guide and Instructions for Use, revised 08/2026 (NDA 215866/S-044, S-045). U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Drugs@FDA), 2026.
  21. Kingsberg SA, Clayton AH, Portman D, et al. Bremelanotide for the Treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: Two Randomized Phase 3 Trials. Obstet Gynecol 2019;134(5):899-908 (abstract results). Obstetrics & Gynecology (via PubMed Central, PMC6819021), 2019.
  22. Same source as 1: Section 14, FSFI desire scale.
  23. Same source as 1: Section 14, satisfying sexual events.
  24. VYLEESI prescribing information: Warning 5.3, nausea. DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine (label by Cosette Pharmaceuticals, revised 3/2024), 2024.
  25. Small Effects, Questionable Outcomes: Bremelanotide for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (Spielmans GI, Ellefson EM), PMID 36809187. Journal of Sex Research (abstract via Europe PMC), 2024.
  26. Effects of Kisspeptin Administration in Women With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial (Thurston et al.): design and safety. JAMA Network Open (PMC), 2022.
  27. Same source as 26: Effects of Kisspeptin Administration in Women With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (Thurston et al.): findings.
  28. Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks (Kisspeptin-10 entry). U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026.
  29. Discovery that a melanocortin regulates sexual functions in male and female humans (Hadley, PMID 15996790), main claim excerpt. Peptides, 2005.
  30. MENOPUR (menotropins for injection) prescribing information, Patient Information and Instructions for Use, revised February 2014 (supplement 014). U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Drugs@FDA label (Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.), 2014.
  31. MENOPUR (Menotropins for Injection) Product Monograph, date of authorization March 23, 2026 (control no. 299678). Ferring Inc. (Health Canada-authorized product monograph), 2026.
  32. Andersen AN, Devroey P, Arce JC. Clinical outcome following stimulation with highly purified hMG or recombinant FSH in patients undergoing IVF: a randomized assessor-blind controlled trial (MERiT). Hum Reprod 2006;21(12):3217-27 (PMID 16873892). Human Reproduction (PubMed record via NLM E-utilities), 2006.
  33. Devroey P, Pellicer A, Nyboe Andersen A, Arce JC. A randomized assessor-blind trial comparing highly purified hMG and recombinant FSH in a GnRH antagonist cycle with compulsory single-blastocyst transfer (MEGASET). Fertil Steril 2012;97(3):561-71 (PMID 22244781; NCT00884221). Fertility and Sterility (PubMed record via NLM E-utilities), 2012.
  34. Drugs@FDA: MENOPUR (menotropins), BLA 021663, product overview. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Drugs@FDA), 2026.
  35. Same source as 11: Indications and Usage.
  36. Same source as 11: Precautions (laboratory tests, timing of hCG).
  37. Same source as 11: Warnings (monitoring).
  38. Youssef MA et al. Recombinant versus urinary human chorionic gonadotrophin for final oocyte maturation triggering in IVF and ICSI cycles. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016;4:CD003719 (PMID 27106604), included studies. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (PubMed record via NCBI E-utilities), 2016.
  39. Same source as 38: conclusions.
  40. Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline (Gordon CM et al.). Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2017.
  41. Efficacy and safety of pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone therapy among patients with idiopathic and functional hypothalamic amenorrhea: a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis (Tranoulis A et al.; PMID 29605411). Fertility and Sterility, 2018.
  42. Pulsatile gonadotrophin releasing hormone for ovulation induction in subfertility associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (Bayram N et al.; PMID 14973957). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2004.
  43. Drugs@FDA: LUTREPULSE KIT (gonadorelin acetate), NDA 019687. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026.
  44. Same source as 17: OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection, solution: prescribing information, Medication Guide and Instructions for Use (Revised 5/2026, SPL version 20).
  45. RYBELSUS and OZEMPIC (semaglutide) tablets, Prescribing Information and Medication Guide (NDA 213051/S-030, revised 1/2026). U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Novo Nordisk labeling), 2026.
  46. Same source as 19: Section 7 Drug Interactions and Section 8.3 Contraception.
  47. Same source as 19: Section 6.1, Hair Loss.
  48. Same source as 19: Section 14.1 Weight Reduction Studies 1, 2 and 3 (Tables 2 to 5).
  49. EGRIFTA WR prescribing information: 8.1 Pregnancy. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Drugs@FDA label, BLA 022505), 2025.
  50. Same source as 49: 8.1 Pregnancy (rat data).
  51. Same source as 49: 8.2 Lactation.
  52. FORZINITY prescribing information: Pregnancy. DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine (label by Stealth BioTherapeutics Inc., revised 9/2025), 2025.
  53. Same source as 52: Impairment of Fertility.
  54. Blackman MR et al. 2002 (PMID 12425705): lean body mass in women. JAMA, via PubMed (NCBI E-utilities), 2002.
  55. Same source as 54: edema in women.
  56. GENOTROPIN prescribing information: 7.4 Oral estrogen. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Drugs@FDA label, Pfizer), 2025.
  57. Same source as 56: Highlights, indications (pediatric).
  58. Endocrine and metabolic effects of long-term administration of [Nle27]growth hormone-releasing hormone-(1-29)-NH2 in age-advanced men and women (Khorram et al.), design. J Clin Endocrinol Metab (PubMed abstract PMID 9141536, via NCBI E-utilities), 1997.
  59. Same source as 58: body composition and skin.
  60. Same source as 58: quality of life and safety.
  61. Same source as 58: IGF-I and insulin.
  62. FDA Briefing Document, PCAC December 4, 2024, CJC-1295 evaluation (PDF page 46, human safety conclusions). U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, 2024.
  63. The GH secretagogues ipamorelin and GH-releasing peptide-6 increase bone mineral content in adult female rats (Svensson J et al.). Journal of Endocrinology, 2000.
  64. Metabolic ASX announcement, 21 February 2007, Appendix 1: significance of the earlier 12-week trial. Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Limited, 2007.
  65. Same source as 64: Appendix 2: subgroup results.
  66. Safety and Tolerability of the Hexadecapeptide AOD9604 in Humans (Stier H, Vos E, Kenley D); authors tied to the developer, Metabolic Pharmaceuticals. Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism (Elmer Press), 2013.
  67. FDA Briefing Document: Evaluation of MOTS-c-Related Bulk Drug Substances, PCAC July 23-24, 2026 (summary of Lu et al. 2019). U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026.
  68. Circulating MOTS-c levels are decreased in obese male children and adolescents and associated with insulin resistance (Du et al.; PubMed abstract via NCBI E-utilities). Pediatric Diabetes, 2018.
  69. Same source as 67: Evaluation of MOTS-c-Related Bulk Drug Substances (MOTS-c (free base) and MOTS-c acetate), PCAC meeting July 23-24, 2026, memo dated 5/11/2026 (human safety section).
  70. Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data (PMC6073405). International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018.
  71. Same source as 70: Margolina A. 2018 (PMC6073405): eye cream study.
  72. NCBI E-utilities PubMed search: 'GLOW' or 'KLOW' with peptide and GHK, BPC, TB-500 or thymosin (title/abstract). NCBI, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2026.
  73. FDA Evaluation of TB-500-Related Bulk Drug Substances (2026): reproductive toxicity. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026.
  74. Same source as 49: 14 Clinical Studies, Study 1 baseline characteristics.