Think twice before trusting everything you see on social media, especially when it comes to so-called health hacks.
Dr. Jackie Walters, a seasoned OB/GYN and cast member of Bravo’s “Married to Medicine,” is urging people to turn to their doctor — not their feed — for guidance on contraception.
“I’m seeing a trend among my younger patients, particularly Gen Z, of not using birth control because of misinformation they are seeing online,” the 67-year-old reality TV star told The Post.
Hormonal birth control — including pills, implants, injectables and IUDs — is backed by decades of research showing it’s safe and highly effective at preventing pregnancy.
But experts warn that social media is drowning young women with bogus claims, distorting how these medications work and exaggerating their potential risks.
There are known side effects to hormonal birth control, including headaches, nausea, sore breasts and spotting. Studies have also consistently linked the Depo-Provera injection to weight gain, making it a notable exception among contraceptive methods.
But in viral videos, researchers have found that influencers exaggerate the likelihood of these side effects and spread unfounded claims that contradict scientific consensus — including the false idea that these medications can change a woman’s sexual preferences.
Internet personalities have also pushed misleading or inaccurate information about the long-term health effects of hormonal birth control, with some even going as far as to call the pill “this generation’s cigarettes.”
At the same time, many of these content creators are pushing “natural” or hormone-free alternatives to family planning, often overstating how effective they really are.
And it’s not just online chatter — it’s influencing real-life decisions.
A 2024 survey found 1 in 7 women aged 18 to 25 have either changed or considered changing their birth control method based on something they saw online.
“One of the most common misconceptions that I personally hear in my practice is that using birth control will make it difficult to get pregnant later,” Walters said.
“But when you stop using hormonal birth control, your body typically returns to its natural state,” she explained.
In fact, studies have found that about 80% of women who try to conceive after stopping hormonal birth control become pregnant within a year — the same rate as the general population.
Fears that hormonal contraception is “toxic” or cancer-causing have also led many young women to avoid using the medication.
While the pill may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer, experts note that the overall risk remains very low in young women and declines after stopping use.
On the flip side, research suggests that the pill may actually reduce the risk of other cancers — including bowel cancer, which has seen rates in young adults nearly double over the past 25 years.
“It’s so important for women to have accurate, trusted information so they can make informed decisions about their reproductive health,” Walters said.
“When I speak with them, I give them the facts and explain that each method is different, so it’s important to find what works best for them,” she added.
Without accurate information, doctors warn more women could face unintended pregnancies and other challenges — a growing concern as access to reproductive health services continues to shift across the US.
Among those who do choose hormonal contraception, Walters said younger patients often opt for long-acting, reversible options like NEXPLANON.
“NEXPLANON goes in the arm, not the uterus, and it doesn’t require daily, weekly or monthly dosing,” she noted, speaking on behalf of the brand. “It is over 99% effective … and provides up to three years of pregnancy prevention in women.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
