A role for melanocortin agonists in treating male and female sexual dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction affects millions of men and women worldwide. Preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate and confirm that melanocortin receptor agonists such as bremelanotide (PT141, a synthetic alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone analog) improve male and female sexual function presumptively via action on receptors in the central nervous system, particularly within the hypothalamus. Bremelanotide initiates penile erections in males. A recent pilot study demonstrates that bremelanotide also increases sexual arousal and desire in females. Intranasally administered bremelanotide is well tolerated.

Section editors:David Sibley – National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USAC. Anthony Altar – Psychiatric Genomics, Gaithersburg, USATheresa Branchek – Lundbeck Research, Paramus, USA