Social media posts claim hormonal birth control causes ailments such as depression, infertility, acne, weight gain, balding, and decreased libido, but these risks are often exaggerated or misrepresented. A study found TikTok contraception videos showed poor reliability and quality, with only 10% created by medical professionals. Common side effects include headaches, mood changes, and breast tenderness, which can prompt discontinuation. Rare but serious complications include blood clots and uterine perforation from IUDs. Oral contraceptives may slightly raise the risk of some cancers. Natural cycle tracking can prevent pregnancy for people with highly regular cycles who accept periods of abstinence, but it is less practical for many.
According to posts on TikTok, hormonal birth control can cause a nearly unlimited list of ailments: Depression, irreversible infertility, acne, destruction of the gut biome, weight gain, balding, and decreased libido to name a few. While there are some potential side effects, people on social media exaggerate or misrepresent the risks. A study of TikTok videos about contraception concluded they "showed poor reliability and quality." Only 10% were created by medical professionals.
More serious - but rare - complications of some types of birth control include blood clots or risk of uterine perforation from an intrauterine device. Evidence suggests oral contraceptives may raise risk of some kinds of cancers slightly, but provide protective benefits against others. " The old joke we used to say is that those that use natural family planning have naturally large families," says Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, vice chair for research in obstetrics and gynecology at Oregon Health and Science University.
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