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 Weight of Doubt
Milly Evans, a seasoned sex educator with six years of experience, found herself questioning her long-held beliefs about contraception as she prepared for a hormonal coil (IUS) procedure. The decision felt uncertain, fueled by a relentless stream of social media posts that cast doubt on the safety and efficacy of hormonal methods. For six months, she hesitated, weighing the potential risks against the benefits. “Some of the claims I saw were so persuasive that they made me reevaluate what I thought I knew,” she explains.
Online Conversations and Ideological Shifts
Evans is not alone in her hesitation. Many young women, especially those deeply engaged with digital platforms, report being swayed by conversations around hormonal contraceptives. These discussions often split into two camps: personal accounts of side effects and carefully crafted misinformation, frequently tied to right-wing, religious perspectives. The latter, she notes, emphasizes themes of “clean living” and “divine femininity,” framing contraception as a choice that might compromise natural bodily processes.
Lauren Haslam, a 25-year-old from Manchester, echoes this sentiment. She follows fitness and wellness influencers who often critique hormonal methods, calling them “unnatural” and linking them to negative outcomes. Despite four years of relying on the combined pill to manage premenstrual dysphoric disorder, she feels her positive experiences are overshadowed by these critiques. “It’s honestly changed my life,” she says, “but the posts make me wonder if I’m making the right choice.”
Virality of Concerns
In the U.S., the spread of negative narratives about hormonal contraception has accelerated. A post by a new mother holding her unplanned child gained traction, with a widely shared comment declaring, “Birth control is so bad for you.” Another user lamented, “Contraception sucks,” while expressing frustration over the pill’s impact on their mental health. Even medical professionals are not immune, as Evie Plumb, a psychosexual therapist, highlights the prevalence of misinformation in podcasts and online spaces.
Expert Perspectives on the Evidence
Dr. Fran Yarlett, medical director at the Lowdown, acknowledges that while some claims about hormonal contraceptives are misleading, others stem from studies with questionable methods. For example, the assertion that the pill can “shrink your clitoris” has been amplified by online discourse, despite limited evidence. Meanwhile, Jenny Dhingra, a London GP, observes growing apprehension among patients, with many citing fear of side effects after encountering social media content.
The NHS outlines common side effects, including headaches, nausea, mood swings, weight gain, breast tenderness, and acne, noting that these often improve over time. It also acknowledges minor risks like blood clots and breast cancer, but emphasizes they remain “very low.” Yet, the broader trend suggests a shift. Jenny Hall, a UCL professor, points out that NHS data may underrepresent the real impact of online discussions, as it doesn’t account for pharmacy prescriptions or newer methods that require less frequent replacement.
A Changing Landscape of Contraception
A recent study reveals that the percentage of women in England and Wales using hormonal contraception dropped between 2018 and 2023, based on data from over 10,000 individuals seeking abortions. Another analysis found that negative side effects are more frequently highlighted on social media than the benefits of these methods. While the NHS maintains that hormonal contraception remains a safe and effective option, the increasing prominence of fear-based messaging has begun to reshape public perception.