Contraception misconceptions: How social media makes women ditch birth control

A search for "birth control" on Instagram or TikTok yields thousands of videos, ranging from everyday users to influencers with large followings. The content varies widely, from personal experiences and discussions about non-medical contraception methods to warnings about side effects like mood changes, irregular bleeding, weight gain, lower libido, copper toxicity, and blood clots. 

Some influencers advocate for holistic products or traditional family planning, while others make alarmist false claims about "how hormonal birth control damages your body."

Publications on social media advising to get off birth control. (Source: Instagram/Screenshots)

The trend of women discontinuing the pill is not a new topic. However, recent abortion medication restrictions in the U.S. have intensified concerns around hormonal control over women's bodies. Additionally, movements like "tradwife" – where women adhere to old-fashioned gender roles – and holistic life coaches often criticize hormonal birth control, framing it as harmful to women's natural health. 

This rhetoric has intensified alongside the rising number of women seeking non-hormonal alternatives. A significant increase in media coverage, with headlines like "Social Media Is Flooding Users with Bad Information About Birth Control" and "Birth Control Misinformation Is on the Rise," underscores growing concerns about social media's influence. 

Data illustrates the increasing spread of content with keywords "birth control misinformation," "social media influencers," and "hormonal contraceptives." (Source NewsWhip/Screenshot)

But why are women potentially shunning contraceptives? Logically Facts takes a closer look at how influencers and a lack of professional advice have contributed to this trend. 

What do contraceptives actually do? 

Hormonal contraceptives are widely used for their primary function — preventing pregnancy. The WHO states that 874 million women of reproductive age worldwide use "modern contraceptive methods" —almost half the total number at 1.9 billion. 

Contraceptives also offer a range of additional health benefits that go far beyond birth control, including regulating menstrual cycles, alleviating menstrual cramps, managing conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, and others.  

Some users do, however, report mood swings or changes in emotional well-being. While some studies suggest a potential link between hormonal contraceptive use and mood changes, the evidence is mixed, and no definitive causal relationship has been established. A 2018 systematic review emphasized the need for more high-quality research in this area.

Dr.melaniegarrett, a "naturopathic doctor", claims that birth control makes people gain weight. She didn't specify which one she used and if there were other health or lifestyle factors that could impact her weight. (Source: TikTok, screenshot)

Most hormonal contraceptives have not been shown to cause significant weight gain, as some have claimed. A Cochrane review found insufficient evidence to support a causal association between combined hormonal contraceptives and weight gain. The Depo-Provera shot (medroxyprogesterone acetate), however, has been associated with weight gain in some users. Studies indicate an average weight gain of up to five kilograms over the first year of use.

Social media user claims that birth control leads to blood clots. (Source: TikTok/Screenshot)

There is a small increased risk of blood clots associated with combined hormonal contraceptives. However, the risk is about 6 to 12 cases per 10,000 women per year, compared to 2 cases per 10,000 women not using hormonal contraception. This risk is higher for women who smoke, are over 35, or have other risk factors.

After discontinuing hormonal contraceptives, some women may experience temporary menstrual irregularities. This is generally short-term. Normal menstrual cycles typically resume within a few months. Amid concerns, such irregularities are not a symptom of fertility dysfunction, as some social media users are claiming. For users of the Depo-Provera shot, there may be a delay in the return to fertility. It can take an average of 9 to 10 months from the last injection for ovulation to resume, but this is a temporary effect.

While there are potential side effects associated with hormonal contraceptives, they are generally minor and uncommon. If they last for a long time or are very uncomfortable, it is recommended to talk to a healthcare provider about trying a different brand, method, or dosage. 

The benefits, however, outweigh the risks for most users. It is worth noting that among females who are using contraception, six in ten (61 percent) say they use contraception only to prevent pregnancy, but almost one-quarter (24 percent) say they use contraception both to prevent pregnancy and for some other reason. One in seven (15 percent) use contraception solely for a reason not related to preventing pregnancy, such as managing a medical condition or preventing a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Asked among females ages 18-49, "Have you or your sexual partner(s) used birth control or condoms in the past 12 months for any of the following reasons, or not?" (Source: KFF Women's Health Survey, 2022)

What about natural planning and cycle-tracking apps?

As an alternative to medical birth control, influencers promote Fertility Awareness Methods (FAMs), or "natural family planning." 

FAMs require consistent daily tracking of fertility indicators, like basal body temperature and cervical mucus, making them difficult for most women, especially those with irregular cycles or conditions like PCOS.

Fertility-tracking apps are intended to make such tracking easier, offering users the ability to predict ovulation, monitor menstrual cycles, and avoid pregnancy without contraceptives. However, the accuracy and privacy of these apps are major concerns that have sparked significant controversy.

In 2021, British influencer Montana Brown advocated for Natural Cycles, the first birth control app cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration. Its creators said it used an algorithm to determine a woman's fertility status based on body temperature and has claimed a 93 percent success rate — the same as the contraceptive pill in normal use. 

However, some women say they became pregnant while using it. In Sweden, one hospital reported that 37 women sought abortions after relying on Natural Cycles to avoid pregnancy. 

A Facebook advert for the app was later banned by the U.K.'s Advertising Standards Authority, and claims that it was "highly accurate" and "provided a clinically tested alternative to other birth control methods" were found to be misleading.

Similarly, apps like Glow and Clue have faced criticism. Glow's claim that it can increase the likelihood of conception by 40 percent lacks transparency, as the company has not released independent studies to support this figure. Clue, while widely used, is not intended for contraception. 

Dr. Emily Pfender, a social scientist with a focus on health communication and women's reproductive and sexual health, says, "Tracking cycles may not be as effective at preventing pregnancy as hormonal birth control," she says. "Additionally, what young viewers don't see in influencer content is the amount of effort and meticulous planning that goes into tracking cycles."

What makes women go online and not to the doctor?

Some women report that healthcare providers give only brief explanations when prescribing contraceptives, often without discussing alternative methods, potential side effects, or the full range of available options. Uninformed and unsupported, patients seek advice online. 

Dr. Deborah Bartz, an OB-GYN at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, told us that "negativity bias" is also a big problem. She comments, "People are more likely to talk to each other and look for support from each other when they have a negative experience or are struggling with something. We don't talk about how great our IUD is if we've been able to forget about it because it perfectly took away our period bleeding and pain. We talk about it if we're struggling with irregular bleeding or some other irritation."  

"People who just have their own experience (or their experience and the experience of a few friends) are sharing and spreading anecdotes. This anecdotal experience cannot compare to the much larger, broader experience of medical professionals informed by many patients and by scientific studies," she adds.

Shared for a broad audience, these negative experiences quickly spread online and, thanks to a "snowball effect," form an impression that the particular experience is very common. In her research shared with us – How social media is influencing contraceptive choice — Dr. Pfender concludes that "Social media may fuel "hormonophobia," or negative framing and scare-mongering about hormonal contraception." "This phobia is largely driven by personal experience rather than scientific evidence," she says.

Religious and political influences are increasingly driving women to abandon birth control. This trend is rooted in long-standing moral objections from religious groups. Catholicism opposes artificial contraception based on the belief that procreation is central to marriage and must align with God's will. Similarly, Evangelical Christian groups promote large families and natural family planning, arguing that contraception undermines traditional family values. 

Social media publication about the views of the church on contraception. (Source: Instagram, YouTube, screenshots)

In the U.S., this has been further entrenched by political decisions, such as the Supreme Court's ruling in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, which allows employers to deny contraceptive coverage on religious grounds. The rollback of the Affordable Care Act's contraceptive mandate under the Trump administration further restricted access, highlighting how political decisions can undermine women's reproductive rights.

Old control, new methods 

The politicization of birth control is not new; it has deep historical roots tied to issues of race, class, and gender. Religious groups have long been divided over contraception, with some promoting it as a means of eugenics—a way to control the reproduction of certain populations deemed "undesirable." 

The influence of "tradwife" social media influencers also exacerbates this shift. Jasmine Dinis actively promotes natural family planning and denounces modern contraceptives as harmful, aligning these views with broader anti-feminist and far-right ideologies. She frames the rejection of birth control and vaccines as an act of "sovereignty" against perceived government overreach and modern medical practices. 

Another tradwife, Taylor Gossett, labels hormonal contraceptives as "toxic" and promotes her masterclasses on "natural birth control." 

Elon Musk didn't miss an opportunity to weigh in, claiming that hormonal birth control causes significant health issues, including weight gain, an increased risk of depression, and even triple the risk of suicide. His statement, posted on X (formerly Twitter), garnered significant attention (almost 44 million views) but has been criticized by medical experts. 

Elon Musk's publication about the alleged side effects of hormonal birth control. (Source: X (former Twitter), screenshot)

The persuasive power of influencers lies in their relatability and accessibility. Young people, who are major social media consumers, view these influencers as trustworthy sources, especially when they share personal stories. Ninety percent of Americans aged 18 to 29 use YouTube, 78 percent use Instagram, and 62 percent use TikTok — platforms heavily populated by these influencers. As a result, misinformation about birth control is reaching teenagers and young adults who may feel more comfortable seeking advice online than from healthcare providers. 

What can be done?

To combat the spread of birth control misinformation, a coordinated approach involving social media platforms, healthcare providers, governments, and educational institutions is essential. 

Dr. Bartz advises, "As clinicians, we must understand where and how patients get information on contraception so that we can effectively work with them to help them make the best decisions regarding contraception use that align with their values and optimize their health and well-being."

Healthcare providers must take an active role in educating patients, offering clear, evidence-based information to counteract misconceptions. Integrating digital tools like telehealth and online platforms can also help reach a broader audience with accurate content. 

Collaboration between schools and health professionals is crucial. "It is important that young people critically evaluate the health information they receive on social media and the source of the information. They should be skeptical of taking a one-size-fits-all approach to health based on the information they find online," says Emily Pfender.

Social media platforms must be held accountable for spreading misinformation, possibly through regulations that enforce transparency in content algorithms and moderation practices. Public health campaigns focusing on reproductive health and contraceptive education must reach diverse audiences, particularly the young and vulnerable.