Birth Control Misinformation Surges on Social Media, Experts Warn

A troubling wave of birth control misinformation is spreading rapidly across social media platforms, potentially putting women at risk of unplanned pregnancies and causing confusion about reproductive health options. Health professionals are raising alarms about the trend, which has gained significant traction on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

The misinformation campaign appears to be gaining momentum through viral hashtags including #stopthepill, #hormonefree, and #naturalbirthcontrol. What makes this trend particularly concerning to medical experts is that some of the content is being amplified by right-leaning groups with specific ideological agendas focused on promoting higher birth rates and traditional gender roles.

Dr. Jessica Shepherd, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist who specializes in women’s health and sexual education, has stepped forward to address these concerns. “What we’re seeing is a dangerous mix of pseudoscience and ideological messaging that can have real consequences for women’s health decisions,” said Dr. Shepherd, who will discuss the topic in greater detail during an upcoming segment on public radio’s “Here & Now” program.

The spread of contraceptive misinformation isn’t limited to fringe accounts. The late right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk, who had millions of followers across his social media platforms, was known for making scientifically unsupported claims about birth control, including assertions that hormonal contraceptives make women “bitter” and “undateable”—statements that have no basis in medical research.

Public health officials are particularly concerned about the impact such messaging might have on younger women who rely heavily on social media for health information. A 2022 survey by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists found that nearly 40% of women aged 18-25 reported getting reproductive health information primarily from social media sources rather than medical professionals.

“The algorithms of these platforms can create echo chambers where misinformation gets amplified and medical facts get buried,” explained Dr. Rachel Foster, a public health researcher at Columbia University who studies health communication in digital spaces. “What starts as a few misleading videos can quickly spiral into an entire ecosystem of content that appears legitimate to users.”

Medical experts emphasize that hormonal birth control methods have been studied extensively for decades and are considered safe for most women. The contraceptives have numerous health benefits beyond pregnancy prevention, including regulating menstrual cycles, reducing symptoms of endometriosis, and lowering the risk of certain reproductive cancers.

This online misinformation trend has coincided with a documented increase in unintended pregnancies in several states, according to preliminary data from reproductive health clinics. While a direct causal link hasn’t been established, healthcare providers report encountering patients who discontinued contraception based on content they viewed online.

“We’re seeing patients come in who stopped their birth control because a TikTok influencer told them it was ‘poisoning their bodies’ or ‘destroying their fertility’—neither of which is supported by science,” said Nurse Practitioner Eliza Morgan, who works at a women’s health clinic in Denver.

The social media platforms have faced growing pressure to address health misinformation. A spokesperson for TikTok stated that the company is “committed to promoting authoritative health information and reducing harmful content,” though critics argue their efforts have been insufficient given the volume of misleading reproductive health content that continues to circulate.

Medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Planned Parenthood, have launched counter-campaigns to provide accurate information about contraceptive options through the same social platforms where misinformation thrives.

Dr. Shepherd’s upcoming discussion on “Here & Now,” scheduled to air on October 15, 2025, aims to debunk common misconceptions about birth control and provide evidence-based information about contraceptive options. The segment represents part of a broader effort by health professionals to reclaim the digital narrative around reproductive health with factual, science-backed information.

In the meantime, experts urge women to consult with healthcare providers, rather than social media influencers, when making decisions about contraception and reproductive health.