Study Finds Online Misinformation Deters Women from Contraceptive Pill

Social media misinformation is driving women away from the contraceptive pill through psychological side effects, according to groundbreaking new research from Sheffield University. The study identifies a “nocebo effect”—the negative counterpart to the placebo effect—where negative expectations about the pill lead to real but psychologically-induced side effects.

This phenomenon marks the first documented case of nocebo effects specifically linked to oral contraceptives, occurring as pill usage in England has declined substantially. Among women accessing NHS sexual health services, the proportion using the pill as their primary form of birth control dropped from 39% in 2020-21 to just 28% in 2023-24, despite it remaining the most popular contraceptive option overall.

Health experts point to social media platforms, particularly TikTok and YouTube, as significant contributors to this trend. Influencers on these platforms frequently share content warning women against using hormonal contraception, sometimes making exaggerated claims about “common” side effects including alleged increased risks of thyroid problems, blood clots, and strokes.

Dr. Rebecca Webster and Lorna Reid, the study’s authors, identified four key psychological factors associated with negative pill experiences: expectations of harm before beginning the medication, low confidence in pharmaceutical development processes, beliefs that medicines are overused and harmful, and personal convictions about medication sensitivity.

“Despite these being psychological in origin, it’s important to understand that these are very real experiences for women, often affecting their decision to continue taking the pill,” explained Dr. Webster.

The research examined 275 women aged 18-45 who had used oral contraceptives in the previous 18 months. An overwhelming 97% reported experiencing at least one side effect. The findings revealed that women who expected negative experiences from the outset often had them, with media messaging and general anti-medication beliefs amplifying these negative reactions.

Sexual health professionals have expressed concern about the broader implications of this trend. The sharp decline in pill usage coincides with abortion rates in England and Wales reaching an all-time high of 251,377 in 2022—a 17% increase from the previous year. Experts believe reduced contraceptive use is a significant factor in this rise.

Dr. Janet Barter, president of the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, noted the influence of broader societal trends: “I think since Covid there’s the anti-facts, anti-big pharma rhetoric coming out on social media. I think that’s had an effect.” She added that many young people struggling with anxiety or depression become “wary of anything that they believe might make that worse.”

Brook, a major sexual health service provider, has observed this phenomenon firsthand. “Young people in particular are influenced by what they see and hear about contraception. People in our clinics are increasingly expressing concern about hormonal contraception due to things they have heard on social media,” said Laura Domegan, Brook’s head of nursing.

Common myths circulating online include claims that the pill causes weight gain, impairs long-term fertility, or even alters sexual attraction. Domegan attributes the spread of such misinformation partly to insufficient education from healthcare providers and inadequate coverage in school sex education programs.

The researchers suggest that since many adverse reactions to the pill have psychological origins, “psychological interventions”—such as challenging negative beliefs about medication—could potentially reduce side effects and improve adherence rates. Their findings, published in Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, open new possibilities for addressing contraceptive concerns through both improved education and psychological support.

This research highlights the growing influence of social media on healthcare decisions and underscores the need for accurate, accessible information about contraceptive options at a time when reproductive healthcare faces increasing challenges.