It’s no secret that changes in energy, hormone levels, and body composition can affect many aspects of our lives as we grow older. The reality we face is aging can impact our relationships with our partners and with ourselves in ways we wish it didn’t, including libido and sexual function. The good news is modern medicine can help with PT-141, an FDA-approved treatment for sexual health enhancement and increased physical arousal.
What is PT-141?
PT-141, or bremelanotide, is a synthetic peptide capable of treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in women and erectile dysfunction in men. Where previous sexual dysfunction treatments worked by increasing blood flow to the genital area, PT-141 works through a different mechanism that stimulates the central nervous system. As such, PT-141 provides alternative options to patients who haven’t responded well to traditional sexual health treatments.
How Does PT-141 Boost Sexual Desire and Arousal?
Sexual desire can be as much chemical as it is physical, and that’s where PT-141 sets itself apart from treatments we’ve had before. PT-141 stimulates the release of neurochemicals, including dopamine, involved in sexual responses that increase desire and arousal. Because PT-141 does not directly impact the vascular system, there’s less danger of a condition called priapism—an erection lasting more than 4 hours—which is a common concern with phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors like sildenafil or tadalafil.
Working within the central nervous system, PT-141 improves sexual desire in both men and women. In a longitudinal clinical study, premenopausal women with diagnosed hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) who were given PT-141 experienced increases in sexual drive compared to women who received the placebo. These women also reported the heightened drive continued throughout the trial.
Studies with PT-141 have shown promise to help men with erectile dysfunction, offering statistically significant results compared to placebo in a double-blind study where PT-141 was safely administered and well-tolerated. Subjects, on average, responded to the medication within approximately 30 minutes.
The Science Behind Bremelanotide
Bremelanotide activates melanocortin receptors in the brain, particularly the MC3R and MC4R receptors in the hypothalamus, which help regulate desire and arousal. In binding with these receptors, PT-141 triggers a cascade of neurochemical responses. The brain releases nitric oxide, which relaxes muscles needed for erections. In fact, melanocortins play a large role overall in erection modulation, specifically at the supraspinal and spinal levels.
The stimulation of the melanocortin receptors activates neurons specifically within the hypothalamus, which links the nervous and endocrine systems, both vital parts of sexual arousal and function. The hypothalamus also releases various neurotransmitters and neuropeptides that influence sexual desire, including gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which is responsible for the production of sex hormones.
Dopamine release is perhaps one of the most critical excitatory neurotransmitters released by PT-141 because it’s specifically associated with the brain’s pleasure reward centers. Increased dopamine is a key factor in increased sexual arousal and desire.
How Does PT-141 Differ from Traditional Erectile Dysfunction Medications?
As an injection, PT-141 is administered subcutaneously, and it is 100% bioavailable, with peak plasma concentrations occurring around 60 minutes after injection. It also has a half-life of around 2.7 hours. Because PT-141 works with the central nervous system rather than the vascular system, patients who cannot take the traditional PDE5 inhibitor treatments may be candidates for this prescription without the same risks to their vascular health.
There is also far less risk of priapism because PT-141’s mechanics are directed toward the nervous system instead of increasing blood flow to the genitals. Its unique action as a melanocortin receptor agonist to stimulate the hypothalamus differentiates it from PDE5 inhibitors and opens new doors for both men and women.
What are PT-141’s Benefits?
The prescription’s purpose is increased arousal, sexual desire, and lower stress surrounding decreased libido, as the studies have shown. But there are additional benefits that can be found with PT-141, including:
- Efficacy for men and women because it works in the brain rather than just the sex organs
- Users report enhanced performance due to an increased state of arousal and desire
- Rapid onset, typically within 60 minutes of administration of medication
- Works with the body’s brain rather than artificially inflating hormone levels, so it’s ideal for those wishing to avoid hormone replacement therapy
- Mood elevation, as some users report overall enhancement to well-being
- Alternative treatment to PDE5 inhibitors, for which some patients are not suited
- FDA-approved for safe treatment for sexual health and enhancement based on clinical trials
One of the biggest benefits is that PT-141 comes with fewer side effects compared to other popular sexual dysfunction treatments, including headache, flushing, and nausea. For those using the subcutaneous injection, they may experience a reaction at the injection site. For people using PT-141 nasal spray, there’s the possibility of irritation of the nasal passages.
If you experience severe side effects, contact your healthcare provider.
Am I a Candidate for PT-141?
Interested in learning if you’re a candidate for PT-141 treatment? It’s best to ask your healthcare provider about your specific health profile. Most patients using PT-141 are adults experiencing concerns with libido, sexual performance, or sexual satisfaction. Individuals seeking to enhance sexual experiences due to difficulty with achieving orgasm may also be candidates as well.
Men and women experiencing sexual dysfunction, including low libido or arousal disorders, may benefit from taking PT-141.
Conclusion
Our intimate relationships may be some of the most foundational of our lives, and there’s no reason we should let aging or disorders of sexual function rob us of those moments with our loved ones. Rediscovering the joy in our bodies and what they’re capable of can spark new connections and deepen existing ones in ways we don’t want to live without.
If you’re ready to take control of your sexual and intimate health, learn how EllieMD and PT-141 can help you light that spark again.
