Media Label Birth Control Concerns “Misinformation”

What’s happening: Doctors across the country are recognizing a new health trend — women quitting hormonal birth control — as stories of negative side effects spread across social media platforms. Legacy media blame a “misinformation explosion.”

• The reaction: The Washington Post claimed the backlash against hormonal contraception is “fueled by influencers and conservative commentators” and accused women of quitting the pill “based on fear rather than facts.”

In reality: The pill can increase the risk of mental health issues such as depression due to its effect on hormone levels. It has been linked to cancer, and users are 3 to 5 times more likely to develop blood clots. Social media outlets such as TikTok and Instagram provide a platform for women to discuss their experiences, spotlighting birth control risks that have always existed but were not widely publicized.

A growing market: The reversal of Roe v Wade nudged countless Americans toward birth control. The contraceptive market was worth an estimated $8.3 billion in the United States in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.16 percent until 2030.

• Additionally: The first over-the-counter birth control pill, Opill, became available this year.

Why it matters: The media aims to stifle concerns about legitimate health risks associated with hormonal birth control — based on women’s personal stories — to defend pharmaceutical industry narratives. TikTok has begun censoring users who express skepticism in response to the Washington Post’s coverage.