Online Misinformation Linked to Decline in Contraception Use

Experts suggest that online misinformation may be contributing to a decrease in the number of women opting for long-term contraception. Data from Public Health Wales indicates a significant reduction in the uptake of the combined pill by sexual health clinics and GPs in Wales, falling from 8,531 in 2019 to 2,233 in 2023. Concurrently, abortions reached their highest recorded level in 2022. The lead for women’s health in Wales identified social media platforms, including TikTok and Instagram, as potential factors in the reduced use of the pill, implants, patches, and hormonal coils among women. TikTok stated that its users are allowed to share personal stories or experiences regarding medical treatments, provided such content does not contain harmful misinformation. Lily Lesh, a 25-year-old from Cardiff, shared that she has never used the implant, having been “scared off by the horror stories.” The practice of women sharing their experiences with hormonal contraception has gained considerable traction on TikTok and Instagram, with over 27,000 posts on TikTok featuring the hashtag #contraception. These videos frequently feature women discussing their personal encounters with side effects, such as acne, mood swings, and alterations in weight. Dr. Helen Munro, who serves as the clinical lead of the Women’s Health Network for Wales, noted that women are keen to understand the substances they are introducing into their bodies. Dr. Munro further explained that thousands of women across the UK utilize the pill for various purposes, including the management of symptoms associated with conditions like endometriosis. She emphasized, “It’s not just for prevention of pregnancy and it is helping them to be able to live a complete life.” However, she also cautioned that “a lot of the information they’re getting is coming from social media and perhaps places where there isn’t evidence to inform them correctly.” Lily recounted that when she was prescribed the pill at 17, not all its side effects were explained to her. She stated, “I was just given this box with this massive thick leaflet in it. I had to go and do my own research.” Lily discovered the information she sought “through my peers and other people on social media,” finding these personal accounts “really helpful to me as a young person.” Nevertheless, she acknowledged that social media might tend to highlight more extreme instances of side effects. Lily remarked, “Sometimes it can be easy to get scared off by the horror stories.” She continued, “I’ve never gotten the implant because the stories have completely put me off, but then I’ve spoken to friends and they’ve had really good experiences – so it really depends.” She also recognized the potential utility of social media for gaining insight into the lived experiences of others. Emily Solman co-hosts a podcast with her best friend, which covers a range of topics from “relationships to menstrual cycles, hormones and having babies.” She discussed her own contraception choices on both the podcast and Instagram after experiencing a period absence for over a year. This discussion resulted in her Instagram account being “flooded” with inquiries about hormones and contraception, spanning from her personal views to recommendations for the best options or whether others should use them at all. She noted, “Basically all the questions that you would stereotypically ask your doctor. I am not a doctor. I specialise in nutrition, not contraception options.” Emily highlighted the individual nature of bodies and hormone levels, posing the question, “We’re all different, we all have different bodies, we all have different hormone levels and what if what works for your favourite influencers hormones doesn’t quite work for yours?” Dr. Munro expressed concern that individuals relying on social media for information “could be coming to incorrect decisions around contraception.” She further indicated a necessity for sexual health experts to render evidence-based information “more accessible and I think healthcare professionals and health organisations are waking up to that.” This initiative includes the increased sharing of positive experiences regarding various contraceptive methods on social media. The Welsh government encouraged the public to consult verified sources, such as Sexual Health Wales Online, to aid their decision-making process. It affirmed that it had “strengthened access to sexual and reproductive services by providing services online as well as through GPs, pharmacies, and sexual health clinics.”