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 sex educator with six years of accreditation, once had unwavering confidence in her knowledge about contraception. Yet, as she prepared for a hormonal coil (IUS) procedure, uncertainty began to creep in. Social media had become a constant stream of content casting doubt on hormonal methods, leading her to hesitate. For six months, the 26-year-old delayed her appointment, questioning whether the risks of her chosen method were justified.
Evans noticed how certain posts, often tied to conservative or religious narratives, seemed to challenge her understanding. “Some claims felt so convincing that they made me doubt what I believed,” she reflects. This sentiment resonates with others, particularly young women active online. The discourse around hormonal contraceptives, such as the pill, coil, and implant, often splits into two streams: personal anecdotes about side effects and deliberate misinformation linking hormones to ideological stances.
Lauren Haslam’s Perspective
Lauren Haslam, a 25-year-old from Manchester, follows fitness and wellness influencers who sometimes criticize hormonal contraception. She finds these posts frustrating, as they portray methods like the combined pill as “unnatural” and “harmful.” Despite her four years of using the pill, which she credits with easing symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, she feels her positive experience is overshadowed by such critiques.
The Spread of Misinformation
In the US, negative narratives about hormonal contraception have gained traction online. A viral post from a new mother, who held her unplanned baby, sparked comments like “Birth control is so bad for you” and “Contraception sucks.” These remarks, often shared by users with medical credentials, fuel skepticism. “Even professionals spread misleading ideas,” notes psychosexual therapist Evie Plumb.
Dr. Fran Yarlett, medical director at the Lowdown, acknowledges that some claims are incorrect, while others stem from studies with questionable methods. For instance, the assertion that the pill can “shrink your clitoris” is often taken out of context. Meanwhile, London GP Jenny Dhingra observes a growing aversion among UK patients, with many citing social media as a source of fear about side effects.
NHS Data and Trends
The NHS lists common side effects of hormonal contraception, including headaches, nausea, mood changes, and weight gain. However, it emphasizes that these typically subside over time. The organization also notes a minimal risk of blood clots and breast cancer, though this is framed as a “very low” concern.
Jenny Hall, a UCL professor of reproductive health, points out that NHS data may not fully capture contraception trends. It excludes users who obtain pills from pharmacies and overlooks newer methods that require less frequent replacement. Despite this, data suggests a shift: a recent study found a decline in hormonal use in England and Wales between 2018 and 2023. Additionally, a 2023 review highlighted that negative side effects are more frequently discussed online than the benefits of contraception.
