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 experience, found herself questioning her decision to use hormonal contraception after encountering a wave of online skepticism. Before opting for a hormonal coil (IUS), she hesitated for six months, swamped by posts that cast doubt on its benefits. These messages, often linked to ideological perspectives, made her second-guess her knowledge about reproductive health.
The Role of Social Media in Shaping Perceptions
Evans noted that the content she consumed was steeped in a “right-wing, religious, largely American element,” emphasizing “clean living” and “divine femininity.” This narrative contrasts with the personal accounts of women sharing their experiences with hormonal methods like the pill, coil, and implant. For instance, Lauren Haslam, a 25-year-old from Manchester, follows fitness and wellness influencers who frequently criticize hormonal contraception as “unnatural.” Despite Haslam’s four-year use of the combined pill, which she credits with transforming her life by easing premenstrual dysphoric disorder, she feels her positive outcomes are overshadowed by these critiques.
“Some of the claims I saw were so compelling that they made me question what I already know to be true,” Evans said.
“The pill has ‘honestly changed my life,’ but the posts make me question whether I’m making the right decision,” Haslam added.
A Growing Aversion in Clinics
These debates are no longer confined to screens. London GP Jenny Dhingra observes a rise in patients expressing “aversion” to hormonal methods, citing fears of side effects fueled by social media. The NHS lists common side effects—headaches, nausea, mood swings, weight gain, breast tenderness, and acne—as typically temporary. However, it also acknowledges a slight increased risk of blood clots and breast cancer, though the overall risk remains “very low.”
Data and Trends in Contraception Use
Researchers are still piecing together the full impact of these discussions. Jenny Hall, a UCL professor of reproductive health, points out that NHS data doesn’t account for pharmacy-based pill users or the fact that some devices now last longer without replacement. Despite this, data suggests a noticeable shift: a study from last year found that the share of women using hormonal contraception in England and Wales dropped between 2018 and 2023. Additionally, a review highlighted that negative side effects are more frequently discussed online than the benefits of these methods.
