An investigation by The Washington Post revealed that social media is rife with misleading material demonizing hormonal contraceptives, leading American women to discontinue their use. Videos blaming the pill for infertility or testimonials claiming it causes depression, anxiety, or decreases libido are among them.

Dozens of influencers also recommend natural alternatives to quitting contraceptive pills, such as scheduling sexual intercourse according to menstrual cycles, a contraceptive method which, according to doctors, is less effective and may result in unintended pregnancies.

Doctors consulted by the outlet asserted that online misinformation about contraceptives is particularly targeted at teenagers and young adults in their twenties, as they are more susceptible to believing scientifically unsupported messages. This misleading information has led many women, influenced by erroneous data about hormonal contraceptives and natural methods, to resort to abortion, especially those from states like Texas, Idaho, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, where abortion is either fully or partially prohibited.

While healthcare professionals maintain the safety and efficacy of hormonal contraception, they are concerned about the lack of transparency regarding rare but serious side effects, which drives patients to seek information from non-specialized online communities.

Opposition to contraceptives arises amidst a broader political debate about reproductive rights, where far-right conservatives argue that widespread acceptance of birth control has disrupted traditional gender roles and weakened the family structure, according to The Post.

In the United States, where abortion is now banned or restricted in nearly half of the states, unwanted pregnancies represent a matter of life or death for women.

With information from Periodic.