General information only, not medical advice. Please talk to your doctor about your health. In an emergency, call 000.
Last reviewed: 11 October 2026 · Published by Australian Men's Performance and Health Association Inc
AMPHA is concerned about the number of Australian men being targeted online by unregulated sellers of hormones, peptides and other substances. These sellers often use social media, messaging apps and websites based overseas, and they operate outside the safeguards that protect patients.
The risks
Products from unregulated sellers may contain the wrong ingredient, the wrong amount or contaminants. There is no doctor checking whether a product is safe for you, no appropriate blood tests and no follow-up if something goes wrong.
Many of these substances are prescription-only in Australia. Buying or importing them without a valid prescription can breach the law, and the Therapeutic Goods Administration regularly warns consumers about products sold online.
Warning signs of online sellers
Labels such as “research use only” or “not for human consumption”; sales through social media direct messages; payment by cryptocurrency or gift cards; no named, registered doctor; no assessment; and promises of muscle, energy or anti-ageing results.
What to do instead
Speak with a registered doctor. Check their registration on the AHPRA public register of practitioners, expect a proper assessment with appropriate tests and follow-up, and avoid any service that skips these steps. If you have already used a product bought online, tell your doctor; honest information helps them keep you safe.
You can report suspicious products or advertising to the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Check a doctor's registration on the AHPRA public register of practitioners.
Related reading
Speak with a registered doctor
This page is general information only and cannot assess your situation. A registered doctor can take your history, examine you and decide what, if anything, is appropriate for you.
Speak with a registered doctorAMPHA may receive fees for referring people to partner clinics, such as Third Spring Medical. Information on this site is general in nature and is not medical advice.