I’ve been a sex educator for six years. Why did I start doubting my contraception choices?
Milly Evans, a seasoned sex educator, has extensive knowledge of contraception, surpassing many in her field. Yet, as she prepared to undergo a hormonal coil (IUS) procedure, she found herself uncertain about the method’s suitability for her body. Her social media feed became a constant stream of posts questioning the safety of hormonal contraception, prompting her to delay the appointment for six months. “Some of the claims I saw were so compelling that they made me question what I already know to be true,” she explains.
The Spread of Misinformation
Evans notes that the content often carries a “right-wing, religious, largely American element,” framed around ideas of “clean living” and “divine femininity.” These narratives, frequently shared by influencers, have also caught the attention of Lauren Haslam, a 25-year-old from Manchester. She follows fitness and wellness creators and grows frustrated with posts that portray hormonal contraception as “unnatural” or “harmful.” Despite taking the combined pill for four years, which has eased her premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms, she feels her positive experience is undermined by such content.
Over the past few years, the US has seen a surge in social media content that criticizes hormonal contraception. A post from a new mother holding her unplanned baby sparked widespread debate, with comments like “Birth control is so bad for you” garnering over 800 likes. Another user shared their dislike of the pill, claiming it caused depression. Even those with medical credentials contribute to this trend, spreading misleading information in podcasts and online forums.
Expert Perspectives
Dr. Fran Yarlett, medical director at women’s health platform the Lowdown, acknowledges that while some claims are inaccurate, others stem from small-scale studies with “dubious methodology.” These studies sometimes exaggerate risks, such as the idea that the pill can “shrink your clitoris.” Meanwhile, London GP Jenny Dhingra reports a noticeable increase in patient hesitation, with some citing fears of side effects after exposure to social media content.
The NHS highlights that common side effects of hormonal contraception—like headaches, nausea, mood swings, weight gain, breast tenderness, and acne—are typically temporary. It also notes that while the method may slightly elevate risks of blood clots and breast cancer, these are described as “very low.” However, Jenny Hall, a professor of reproductive health at UCL, points out that NHS data doesn’t fully capture the shift in contraception use, as it excludes pharmacy-purchased pills and newer devices that can remain in place for extended periods.
Changing Trends
A recent study suggests that between 2018 and 2023, the proportion of women relying on hormonal contraception in England and Wales dropped, based on data from tens of thousands of abortion seekers. Another review found that negative side effects of hormonal methods are discussed far more often on social media than their benefits. “The reality is that scary stories get attention and go viral,” says one expert, emphasizing the challenge of countering misinformation in an era of rapid online discourse.
