What Does the Science Say?
Because peptides signal parts of the body that produce proteins involved in aging, they could theoretically improve things like cell repair and collagen production. But science hasn’t confirmed they work for these purposes.
“Many peptides are safe, well-studied, provider-prescribed medications,” explains Silverman Fine. “But peptides that are marketed for anti-aging, recovery, and athletic performance are largely unproven, unregulated, and their safety hasn’t been established.”
Unlike approved injectable peptides such as insulin and GLP-1 inhibitors, the ones some women take during menopause haven’t been studied in large, well-designed human clinical trials to see if they’re effective or safe. Most haven’t made it past animal studies, so there’s not enough research for the FDA to approve them, Noble says.
Especially worrisome, Silverman Fine notes, are “gray market” injectable peptides. These unregulated compounds are sold online through social media or without a prescription at wellness clinics for anti-aging, muscle growth, and athletic performance. “They’re often labeled ‘research chemicals’ or ‘not for human consumption’ to get around safety rules,” Silverman Fine says.
With almost no government regulation over the peptide market, it’s hard to know where these injectables originate. Many are produced in China or India, says Noble, where manufacturing processes and standards are very different from those in the United States. “Frankly, nobody really knows what they’re getting,” she adds. Without rigorous quality control standards, the ingredients listed on the label may not be what’s inside the bottle.
Peptide therapy for menopause is a bit like the “Wild West,” Noble says. “People don’t know what to do or where to get directions,” she says. “They’re definitely ripe for being preyed upon.” Researchers don’t know whether these drugs work, who would benefit from them, which dose is most effective, or how often to take them, she says.
Injecting an unproven substance has many possible risks. It could contain heavy metals or other toxic substances that could cause a reaction or infection, Noble says. Or, it might not work at all. Even if a peptide therapy improves menopause symptoms, researchers don’t know what kind of long-term effects it might have, or what will happen if someone eventually stops taking it, she adds.
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