I’ve been a sex educator for six years. Why did I start doubting my contraception choices?
I’ve been a sex educator for six years. Why did I start doubting my contraception choices?
The Influence of Online Discourse
Milly Evans, a seasoned sex educator with six years of experience, has encountered a growing unease about hormonal contraception. As she prepared to undergo a hormonal coil (IUS) procedure, she found herself questioning the method’s suitability for her body. The overwhelming presence of social media content casting doubt on hormonal birth control sparked her hesitation, leading to a six-month delay in scheduling the appointment.
Some of the claims I saw were so compelling that they made me question what I already know to be true.
Evans is not alone in this experience. Many young women in their 20s, who are deeply engaged with online communities, have encountered similar debates. These discussions often fall into two camps: personal accounts of side effects and deliberately crafted misinformation. The latter, rooted in right-wing, religious, and American perspectives, frequently frames hormonal methods as incompatible with “clean living” and “divine femininity.”
Voices in the Fitness and Wellness Sphere
Lauren Haslam, a 25-year-old resident of Manchester, also feels the weight of these online narratives. She follows numerous fitness and wellness influencers, some of whom portray hormonal contraception as unnatural. Haslam has relied on the combined pill for four years, citing its role in managing premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Despite its benefits, she admits the content makes her positive experience feel less valid and stirs doubt about her decision.
The pill has “honestly changed my life,” she says, yet the negative posts have prompted her to question whether her choice aligns with broader beliefs about hormonal methods.
Social Media Trends and Misinformation
In the U.S., the trend of vilifying hormonal contraception has gained momentum. A single search on Instagram reveals a post from a new mother holding her unplanned baby, accompanied by a comment likens the pill to “so bad for you.” Another user dismisses contraception as “sucks,” while another laments its impact on their mood, claiming it caused depression. Even professionals with medical credentials contribute to these discussions, often through podcasts and online platforms.
Dr. Fran Yarlett, medical director at women’s health platform the Lowdown, notes that while some claims are incorrect, others stem from small-scale studies with questionable methods. For instance, the idea that the pill can “shrink your clitoris” is sometimes presented as a serious concern, even though the evidence is inconclusive.
Real-World Impact on Contraception Choices
The shift in attitudes is not confined to digital spaces. London GP Jenny Dhingra observes a rise in patient aversion to hormonal methods in recent years. Some cite worries about side effects, while others express fear after consuming online content. The NHS lists common side effects like headaches, nausea, mood swings, and acne, but emphasizes that these often improve over time. It also notes that hormonal contraception slightly increases risks of blood clots and breast cancer, though these are described as “very low.”
Jenny Hall, professor of reproductive health at UCL, adds that NHS data might underrepresent the true impact of online conversations. The data doesn’t account for users who access the pill through pharmacies or those who receive long-term prescriptions without replacements. Despite these limitations, Hall suggests a trend of decreasing reliance on hormonal contraception, citing a recent study showing a decline in its use among women seeking abortions in England and Wales between 2018 and 2023.
Such studies reveal that negative side effects are more frequently highlighted on social media than the benefits of hormonal contraception. While the exact extent of this influence remains unclear, the power of viral stories to shape perception is undeniable.
