Anna tried peptides for her skin. Nine weeks later the menstrual pain was unbearable
A stark warning has been issued over the peptide wellness craze sweeping social media.
Australian woman Anna Thompson is sharing her distressing side effects, as the Therapeutic Goods Administration struggles to control a booming, unregulated black market.
Anna said her skin broke out and after nine weeks of use she began experiencing severely increased menstrual pain. 9News
Synthetic peptides, which mimic natural hormones and molecules in the body, are increasingly being sought for their anti-ageing effects, weight loss and even muscle growth.
While some are approved for use, such as weight loss jabs, most are illegal.
“They are sourced from manufacturers or online suppliers of questionable quality,” dermatologist Dr Leona Yip told 9News.
Thompson didn’t realise she was taking such a health gamble when she bought her product.
“I wanted to try it just to see if it would benefit, just for like collagen production and elasticity in the skin,” she told 9News.
Instead, she said her skin broke out and after nine weeks of use she began experiencing severely increased menstrual pain.
“I literally blacked out the pain was so bad, it was shooting down my legs and up my stomach,” she told her followers on TikTok at the time.
While our bodies produce natural peptides to help with functions like healing, synthetic peptide safety is a growing concern.
Synthetic peptides, which mimic natural hormones and molecules in the body, are increasingly being sought. 9News
Experts say side effects can range from severe digestive issues to allergic reactions.
“People are very vulnerable, but it’s this vulnerability that’s being exploited online,” Yip said.
It’s an ongoing battle to keep on top of the illegal importation of therapeutic goods.
According to the TGA, during a two-week operation in March, about 900,000 unapproved goods were seized, including peptides.
Peptides aren’t a new craze. In 2013, both the AFL and NRL went through one of the darkest times in Australian sporting history.
Some players and coaches - most infamously from AFL club Essendon - were suspended and clubs were fined for using performance-enhancing peptides.
Australian woman Anna Thompson is sharing her distressing side effects from a peptide. 9News
Since then, their use has become mainstream.
Image- and performance-enhancing drugs expert Dr Timothy Piatkowski intends to expand his Steroid QNECT hotline, where people can get confidential advice on body- and performance-enhancement drugs.
“We have people calling who are using six peptides,” he said.
“They go, ‘Look, I ordered this. What do I do? What’s my next step?’
“And we’ve got to work from there.”
It’s always best to consult your GP for advice tailored to your specific health needs.
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