Social Media Fuels Doubts About Contraception Choices

Sex educator Milly Evans reflects on how online misinformation is impacting real-world healthcare decisions.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:20am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A translucent, ghostly X-ray photograph showing the internal structures of the female reproductive system, including the uterus and ovaries, rendered in delicate lines against a dark background, conceptually representing the complex biological mechanisms behind contraception.As social media fuels doubts about contraception, an X-ray view reveals the intricate biology behind these vital reproductive health choices.Manchester Today

As social media feeds become saturated with content discouraging hormonal contraception, even well-informed individuals like sex educator Milly Evans are starting to question their previous contraception choices. This trend is driven by a mix of personal experiences, misinformation, and ideological arguments framing contraception as 'unnatural.' Experts are concerned about the spread of false claims and the impact on healthcare, with some patients expressing increased 'aversion' to hormonal options. The rise of fertility tracking apps marketed as 'natural' alternatives is also contributing to this shift, though many are not designed for reliable contraception.

Why it matters

The growing influence of social media on contraception decisions highlights a critical need for accessible, evidence-based information. Healthcare professionals and educators must actively engage online to counter false narratives and empower individuals to make informed choices, as the current contraceptive burden disproportionately falls on women.

The details

A significant portion of the social media content discouraging hormonal contraception comes from deliberate misinformation, often rooted in 'right-wing, religious, largely American' ideologies framing contraception as 'unnatural' or opposing 'clean living' and 'divine femininity.' This online discourse is impacting real-world healthcare, with London GP Jenny Dhingra observing increased 'aversion' to hormonal contraception among patients after encountering social media content. As some turn away from hormonal options, fertility tracking apps are gaining traction, marketed as 'natural' alternatives, though many are designed for conception, not prevention, and shouldn't be relied upon for contraception.

  • A study suggests a decline in hormonal contraception use between 2018 and 2023, coinciding with the rise of these online conversations.

The players

Milly Evans

A sex educator who has started doubting her previous contraception choices due to the influence of social media.

Lauren Haslam

A 25-year-old woman from Manchester who found her Instagram feed invaded by wellness influencers 'demonising' hormonal contraception.

Dr. Fran Yarlett

The medical director at the Lowdown, who notes that some claims about contraception on social media are demonstrably false, while others misrepresent small-scale studies or take information out of context.

Jenny Dhingra

A London GP who has observed increased 'aversion' to hormonal contraception among patients after they encountered social media content.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Despite the combined pill alleviating symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, these posts made her perceive like her positive experience was 'invalidated.'”

— Lauren Haslam

“Medical director at the Lowdown, Dr. Fran Yarlett, notes that some claims are demonstrably false, while others misrepresent small-scale studies or take information out of context – such as the claim that the pill can 'shrink your clitoris.'”

— Dr. Fran Yarlett, Medical Director, The Lowdown

What’s next

Experts emphasize the need for accessible, evidence-based information about contraception, as healthcare professionals and educators must actively engage online to counter false narratives and empower individuals to make informed decisions.

The takeaway

The growing influence of social media on contraception decisions highlights the critical need for reliable, fact-based information to counter the spread of misinformation and empower individuals to make informed choices about their reproductive health.