Women could face greater health risks than men from the growing use of unregulated peptides marketed online for muscle building, anti‑ageing, and weight loss, health experts have warned.
Across social media and wellness websites, peptides are increasingly promoted as quick solutions for weight loss, muscle building, improved exercise recovery, and slowing the ageing process. Many of these products are sold without approval from health regulators, raising concerns among researchers about their safety, especially for women.
Studies show women are 1.5 to two times more likely than men to experience adverse drug reactions. While women generally use more prescription medicines because they live longer and are more likely to develop chronic illnesses requiring ongoing treatment, experts say biology is also a major reason for the difference.
According to research published by The Conversation, women’s bodies absorb, break down and remove medicines differently from men’s. Hormonal changes throughout life, including menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, can also affect how the body responds to medicines. In addition, women tend to have stronger immune responses, making them more likely to experience side effects.
Experts say these biological differences could also make women more vulnerable to the risks associated with unregulated peptides.
"Women's hormonal systems are highly regulated, and introducing substances that artificially alter hormone levels may have unintended consequences that are not yet fully understood," the researchers said.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. The body naturally produces many peptides that help regulate important functions such as growth, healing, metabolism, and hormone production.
However, synthetic peptides are now widely sold online, often with claims that they can burn fat, increase muscle mass, improve athletic performance or reverse signs of ageing. Many of these products have not been approved for human use and have not undergone large clinical trials to prove they are safe or effective.
Because they are sold through unregulated markets, buyers often have no way of knowing exactly what they are receiving or whether the product contains the ingredients listed on the label.
Hormones may be disrupted
Researchers are particularly concerned about peptides that stimulate the production of growth hormone. These substances increase levels of growth hormone and insulin‑like growth factor‑1 (IGF‑1), hormones that play an important role in growth and tissue repair. Artificially raising these hormone levels may interfere with the body’s natural balance.
Experts warn this may lead to swelling caused by fluid retention, hormonal imbalances, disruption of ovarian function, and possibly an increased risk of miscarriage. The long‑term effects on other organs, including the liver, thyroid, pancreas, and adrenal glands, remain largely unknown because these products have not been adequately studied in humans.
Some peptides have also attracted scientific attention because they have been found in breast and lung cancer cells.
Researchers stress this does not necessarily mean the peptides cause cancer. However, they say the findings highlight the need for further studies before such products can be considered safe for widespread use.
Injection increases the risk
Health experts are also warning against injectable peptides, including injectable copper peptides promoted for anti‑ageing.
While copper peptides are commonly used in skin creams and may help improve skin appearance, injections deliver much larger amounts directly into the body. Unlike creams, injected products bypass the skin and digestive system, allowing higher concentrations to enter the bloodstream.
Because many injectable peptides are bought online from unregulated suppliers, users cannot be certain about the product’s strength, purity or ingredients.
For pregnant women, the risks may be even greater. Scientists do not yet know whether these substances can cross the placenta and affect a developing baby. High copper levels during pregnancy have been linked to premature birth, poor fetal growth, and neurological problems in newborns.
Women may respond differently
Researchers also point out that differences in body composition mean the same injection may affect women differently than men.
Women generally have a higher percentage of body fat and store fat differently, particularly around the hips and thighs. These differences can influence how injected medicines are absorbed and distributed throughout the body, potentially making the effects stronger.
"Until these products are evaluated in properly controlled human studies, their safety cannot be assured, particularly for women whose biological and hormonal differences may increase their susceptibility to adverse effects," the researchers said.
As the popularity of peptides continues to grow, health experts are urging consumers to be cautious. They advise against using unregulated peptide products purchased online and recommend seeking medical advice before taking any product that claims to alter hormones, improve performance, or slow ageing.
Although peptides may eventually have important medical uses, experts say much more research is needed to understand how they affect the body, particularly in women. Until then, they warn that the potential health risks may outweigh the promised benefits.
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