Social media platforms, and most notably TikTok, are quickly becoming the primary sources of information for youth. This is especially true when it comes to health and social wellness related issues. A new research from La Trobe College warns of the dangers in turning to TikTok for contraceptive recommendations. The report, co-authored by public health lecturer Megan Bugden, reveals that many TikTok creators promote natural birth control methods while expressing distrust in traditional healthcare options.
Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, an obstetrician-gynecologist, is one of many healthcare professionals who’ve taken to TikTok to educate young people on the ins and outs of contraception. In a viral video, she emphasized the importance of finding a birth control method that suits individual needs, stating, “The number one worst form of birth control is the one that doesn’t work for you.” She is a fierce, highly-informed champion for personal choice. She highlights how important lifestyle and accessibility are to the effectiveness of various contraceptive methods.
The La Trobe report, which appeared in the journal Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, used content analysis of TikTok videos. It showed that 53% of creators discontinued hormonal birth control and chose to use natural methods instead. Additionally, 34% expressed skepticism towards healthcare professionals. Despite their potential for positive impact, the study found that just 10% of the sampled videos had been created by medical professionals. Together, these videos racked up close to 4.85 billion views and 14.6 million likes, showing incredible reach among young audiences.
Megan Bugden, an IFPRI Policy Communication Fellow, emphasized that much of the TikTok advice is anecdotal. This typically is not accompanied by the support of evidence-based clinical practice. She warned that this trend has the potential to confuse young people by exaggerating the effectiveness of natural methods of birth control. The health impact from unintended pregnancies or STIs are not even mentioned in these conversations.
Bugden stated, “It’s really important that young people understand that a lot of the information online can be misleading or incomplete or biased.” She encourages people to think critically about what they’re seeing online. She suggests you get in touch with your healthcare providers for professional advice. “Never neglect to consult with your medical provider,” she encouraged, calling on young people to bring their research results to reputable medical professionals.
Though the researchers recognized limitations within their study, such as a potential selection bias and small sample size, the analysis focused solely on English-language videos, which may not capture the full spectrum of information available on TikTok.
More than ever before, misinformation is stalking the conversation around infrastructure on social media. Women’s health organizations and public health advocates need to be on the offensive to combat these damaging narratives. Bugden reiterated the importance of having public health practitioners familiar with these platforms to help share correct information. She stated, “There’s a real opportunity for public health practitioners to join these platforms and disseminate accurate, reliable, non-judgemental content that’s easily accessible to a huge range of individuals.”
Users consistently and overwhelmingly report transformative experiences with all contraceptive methods. One user described her journey with an intrauterine device (IUD), stating, “I got the Kyleena coil… It changed my life.” Such anecdotal evidence can be powerful but often lacks that crucial nuance and context needed for smart decision-making.
Another user, Evelyn, posted her thoughts on coming off hormonal birth control. She cautioned others about the potential resurgence of previous health issues, underscoring the complexity of contraceptive decisions: “The first thing I wish I knew was that all of the problems that I had prior to going on birth control were all going to come back.”
