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?
Uncertainty in a Connected World
Milly Evans, a sex educator with six years of experience, finds herself questioning the effectiveness of hormonal contraception despite her expertise. As she prepared for an IUS (intrauterine system) appointment, she encountered a surge of posts on social media casting doubt on hormonal methods. These messages, often from fitness and wellness influencers, made her hesitate. For six months, the 26-year-old kept delaying her decision, unsure if the risks were worth the benefits.
Content That Challenges Assumptions
Evans notes that her online experience is far from unique. Many young women in their 20s, heavily engaged with digital platforms, encounter conflicting narratives about hormonal contraceptives like the pill, coil, and implant. Discussions frequently divide into two camps: personal stories of side effects and claims fueled by ideological perspectives. The latter, she emphasizes, carries a “right-wing, religious, largely American” tone, framing hormonal methods as threats to “clean living” and “divine femininity.”
A Shift in Public Perception
Lauren Haslam, a 25-year-old from Manchester, shares similar concerns. She follows fitness influencers who often portray hormonal contraception negatively, calling it “unnatural” and “harmful.” Despite taking the combined pill for four years to manage her premenstrual dysphoric disorder—a severe form of PMS—she feels her positive experience is overshadowed by these critiques. “It’s like the pill has changed my life,” she says, “but the posts make me wonder if I’m making the right choice.”
Virality and Scientific Skepticism
In the US, the spread of anti-hormonal messages has accelerated online. A post featuring a new mother with an unplanned baby sparked hundreds of likes, with comments like “Birth control is so bad for you” gaining traction. Others mocked the pill as “sucks” or linked it to depression. Even those with medical credentials contribute to this discourse, as noted by psychosexual therapist Evie Plumb. While some claims are exaggerated, others stem from studies with questionable methods, such as the idea that the pill can “shrink your clitoris,” according to Dr. Fran Yarlett, medical director at the Lowdown.
Real-World Effects in the UK
These debates are no longer confined to screens. London GP Jenny Dhingra reports growing patient hesitation, with some citing fears of side effects after seeing online content. The NHS lists common side effects like headaches, nausea, mood changes, and acne, but adds that these often improve over time. It also acknowledges minor risks, such as blood clots and breast cancer, though these are described as “very low.”
Measuring the Impact
Quantifying the effect of these discussions on UK contraception use remains challenging. Professor Jenny Hall from UCL explains that NHS data doesn’t account for pharmacy prescriptions or longer-term devices that require fewer replacements. Still, trends suggest a decline in hormonal methods. A 2023 study noted a drop in the percentage of women using hormonal contraception for pregnancy prevention between 2018 and 2023, based on abortion seekers in England and Wales. Meanwhile, a review highlighted how negative side effects dominate social media conversations compared to the benefits of contraception.
Reality vs. Viral Narratives
Ultimately, the power of these stories lies in their ability to spread quickly. While they may highlight valid concerns, they also risk overshadowing evidence-based information. For many, the weight of online opinions has led to second thoughts about long-standing choices, creating a ripple effect in how contraception is viewed and used in everyday life.
