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?

Milly Evans, a seasoned sex educator, is well-versed in reproductive health. Yet, when preparing to opt for a hormonal coil (IUS), she found herself questioning her decision. A surge of social media posts seemed to cast doubt on hormonal contraception, making her hesitant. For half a year, Evans delayed scheduling her appointment, unsure if the risks justified the benefits. “Some claims were so persuasive they made me reconsider what I believed,” she says.

Social media’s influence on contraceptive choices

The online landscape has become a battleground for contraceptive discussions. Evans notes a prevalent trend: personal experiences of side effects are shared alongside misinformation, often tying hormones to ideological views. This mix, she argues, is dominated by a right-wing, religious, American perspective, emphasizing “clean living” and “divine femininity.” Similar concerns have affected Lauren Haslam, a 25-year-old from Manchester, who follows fitness and wellness influencers. She feels frustrated by content that portrays hormonal methods as “unnatural” or “demonising,” even though the pill has been a lifeline for her premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Haslam, who has used the combined pill for four years, credits it with transforming her life. “The pill honestly changed my life,” she says, but the viral posts now make her doubt her positive experience. The same dynamic is evident in the US, where hormonal contraception has become a target of criticism. A recent post from a new mother, questioning her unplanned pregnancy, gained over 800 likes, with comments like “birth control is so bad for you” and “contraception sucks.”

Questions about the science behind the claims

Psychosexual therapist Evie Plumb points out that even qualified professionals spread misinformation online. Dr. Fran Yarlett, medical director at the Lowdown, acknowledges that while some claims are incorrect, others stem from studies with questionable methods. For example, assertions like the pill “shrinking your clitoris” often misrepresent data. However, the NHS clarifies that common side effects—such as headaches, nausea, and acne—are typically temporary, though they note a slight increased risk of blood clots and breast cancer.

Jenny Dhingra, a London GP, observes a growing unease among patients. Over the past few years, she’s noticed more people expressing fear about hormonal methods, citing social media as a key influence. Meanwhile, Jenny Hall, a UCL professor, highlights gaps in NHS data. The current figures don’t account for those obtaining the pill through pharmacies or those using long-acting devices without frequent replacements. Despite this, the data suggests a shift: a study from last year indicates a decline in the use of hormonal contraception in England and Wales between 2018 and 2023. A review of research also found negative side effects are more frequently highlighted online than the benefits of these methods.

“Scary stories get attention and go viral,” Hall notes, underscoring the challenge of measuring how much social media shapes real-world contraceptive decisions.