@Social media is bad - birth control misinformation

[pixy0stix]

wapo.st/43uAW9W


Title mine.

[wanderingback]

Thanks for sharing!
I’m all about people doing what they think is best but with accurate information! If someone wants to use withdrawal, or fertility tracking or abortion as their contraceptive method of choice, I’m all for it.

When patients say they have xyz symptom because of their birth control, I always believe them. I usually say something like well I’ve never had someone with that or the research we have doesn’t seem to say that’s a common side effect but you know your body and if you want to try another option, then let’s do that.

I think the other thing that is sometimes missed with the dangers of birth control info is that if you’re on it specifically to avoid getting pregnant because you’re having sex the birth control is much less risky than being pregnant just about all the time. There is higher risk of clots and stroke from pregnancy than estrogen containing birth control.

But unfortunately providers have historically done a bad job at dismissing people’s concerns and forcing people on birth control, so this is where we are.

[CurlyQ284]

This is a missing puzzle piece I didn't know I needed. My SD21 has always been against birth control "because side effects are so bad". I never really asked where she got that from, it always confused me because all of my friends were on it and it seemed fine? I asked if SD22 was ever on it and she didn't know so I was super confused.

So this makes sense. And is in line with her coming out of the basement and telling me "they are targeting Americans and we're about to be hit in a Michigan suburb" when the Israel/Palestine conflict started, that girl is on TikTok way too much.

[picksthemusic]

This is terrifying. When I worked in clinic, most of my work was on women's healthcare since my doctor was the only provider in the clinic that placed IUDs, did colposcopies, and placed Nexplanons. She did so much work dispelling misinformation and making sure all of her patients understood the risks and benefits. It was also my job to back up her education and give good resources for sound, evidence-based information.

And that one woman who was giving medical advice and 'analyzing' hormone test results? Holy shit. She's in Spain, so not sure that much could be done about her.

It's so scary to think of the consequences of so much intentional misinformation.

[BlondeSpiders]

Mar 21, 2024 11:16:31 GMT -5 picksthemusic said:

This is terrifying. When I worked in clinic, most of my work was on women's healthcare since my doctor was the only provider in the clinic that placed IUDs, did colposcopies, and placed Nexplanons. She did so much work dispelling misinformation and making sure all of her patients understood the risks and benefits. It was also my job to back up her education and give good resources for sound, evidence-based information.

And that one woman who was giving medical advice and 'analyzing' hormone test results? Holy shit. She's in Spain, so not sure that much could be done about her.

It's so scary to think of the consequences of so much intentional misinformation.

If this isn't modern thinking in a snapshot:

When asked about the science behind why her symptoms resolved after getting off birth control, Bendayan said she did her own research and found studies that backed up what she was feeling. 

I guess one unforeseen drawback of the information superhighway and having billions of pieces of information only a few clicks away is the rampant confirmation bias.

[atexan]

This part is good though:

“It’s changed how I practice,” she said. She now routinely offers patients a variety of pain management options including anti-inflammatory drugs, a lidocaine injection into the cervix, or anti-anxiety medication.

[lo]

Mar 21, 2024 12:04:55 GMT -5 atexan said:

This part is good though:

“It’s changed how I practice,” she said. She now routinely offers patients a variety of pain management options including anti-inflammatory drugs, a lidocaine injection into the cervix, or anti-anxiety medication.

I’m not Gen Z or really on Tik Tok, but I’m glad to read this because I’ve been putting off getting an IUD because I’ve been afraid of the pain.

[rhian]

I think part of this is certainly a social media misinformation problem, but facilitated by shitty sex ed and a healthcare system where providers don't listen to patients or educate them well.

When hormonal birth control/IUDs are presented as the only reliable way to prevent pregnancy, and people get shamed for wanting to consider alternatives, it's easy to see how bad social media sources take hold.

In my mid-20s, I had a friend who was using the pull out method and another using charting, both after trying birth control pills and not liking the side effects (one is also allergic to latex). I was worried that they were definitely going to get pregnant, but then I looked it up, and I remember being shocked when I learned that they're actually quite effective! Sure, they're a bit less effective than hormonal birth control, but they also don't have side effects, so it's totally reasonable that some people would weigh those and choose pull out or charting. Both friends happened to be highly educated and able to locate and digest reliable information to come to their decisions, but I can totally see how people like them could get sucked into social media misinformation. I think both were kind of cagey with their healthcare providers when they asked about birth control. And for the record, neither got pregnant until their mid 30s, when they wanted to be pregnant!

[wanderingback]

Mar 21, 2024 14:48:51 GMT -5 rhian said:

I think part of this is certainly a social media misinformation problem, but facilitated by shitty sex ed and a healthcare system where providers don't listen to patients or educate them well.

When hormonal birth control/IUDs are presented as the only reliable way to prevent pregnancy, and people get shamed for wanting to consider alternatives, it's easy to see how bad social media sources take hold.

In my mid-20s, I had a friend who was using the pull out method and another using charting, both after trying birth control pills and not liking the side effects (one is also allergic to latex). I was worried that they were definitely going to get pregnant, but then I looked it up, and I remember being shocked when I learned that they're actually quite effective! Sure, they're a bit less effective than hormonal birth control, but they also don't have side effects, so it's totally reasonable that some people would weigh those and choose pull out or charting. Both friends happened to be highly educated and able to locate and digest reliable information to come to their decisions, but I can totally see how people like them could get sucked into social media misinformation. I think both were kind of cagey with their healthcare providers when they asked about birth control. And for the record, neither got pregnant until their mid 30s, when they wanted to be pregnant!

Yep exactly. Like I said above I’m all for people using whatever method works for them if they have the correct info. Withdrawal is a valid form of birth control. Using emergency contraception pills regularly is a valid form of birth control. Abortion is a valid form of birth control.

I hate when people are given incorrect and fear mongering info. Bedsider.org does a good job of explaining options, including withdrawal and fertility awareness.

[rhian]

Mar 21, 2024 15:24:59 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Mar 21, 2024 14:48:51 GMT -5 rhian said:

I think part of this is certainly a social media misinformation problem, but facilitated by shitty sex ed and a healthcare system where providers don't listen to patients or educate them well.

When hormonal birth control/IUDs are presented as the only reliable way to prevent pregnancy, and people get shamed for wanting to consider alternatives, it's easy to see how bad social media sources take hold.

In my mid-20s, I had a friend who was using the pull out method and another using charting, both after trying birth control pills and not liking the side effects (one is also allergic to latex). I was worried that they were definitely going to get pregnant, but then I looked it up, and I remember being shocked when I learned that they're actually quite effective! Sure, they're a bit less effective than hormonal birth control, but they also don't have side effects, so it's totally reasonable that some people would weigh those and choose pull out or charting. Both friends happened to be highly educated and able to locate and digest reliable information to come to their decisions, but I can totally see how people like them could get sucked into social media misinformation. I think both were kind of cagey with their healthcare providers when they asked about birth control. And for the record, neither got pregnant until their mid 30s, when they wanted to be pregnant!

Yep exactly. Like I said above I’m all for people using whatever method works for them if they have the correct info. Withdrawal is a valid form of birth control. Using emergency contraception pills regularly is a valid form of birth control. Abortion is a valid form of birth control.

I hate when people are given incorrect and fear mongering info. Bedsider.org does a good job of explaining options, including withdrawal and fertility awareness.

Yes totally agree!

[livinitup]

Today, I picked up a prescription in the pharmacy and was pleasantly surprised to see over the counter birth control pills available for sale & advertised is bright packaging at the counter. I suppose we will always have to battle misinformation but seeing it easily for sale (at least in my area & right now) brought me back to the ridiculous obstacles I faced in my 20s. I even remember taking a bus to Planned Parenthood for goodness sake.

Still so much work to do.

[cap]

Mar 21, 2024 15:24:59 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Mar 21, 2024 14:48:51 GMT -5 rhian said:

I think part of this is certainly a social media misinformation problem, but facilitated by shitty sex ed and a healthcare system where providers don't listen to patients or educate them well.

When hormonal birth control/IUDs are presented as the only reliable way to prevent pregnancy, and people get shamed for wanting to consider alternatives, it's easy to see how bad social media sources take hold.

In my mid-20s, I had a friend who was using the pull out method and another using charting, both after trying birth control pills and not liking the side effects (one is also allergic to latex). I was worried that they were definitely going to get pregnant, but then I looked it up, and I remember being shocked when I learned that they're actually quite effective! Sure, they're a bit less effective than hormonal birth control, but they also don't have side effects, so it's totally reasonable that some people would weigh those and choose pull out or charting. Both friends happened to be highly educated and able to locate and digest reliable information to come to their decisions, but I can totally see how people like them could get sucked into social media misinformation. I think both were kind of cagey with their healthcare providers when they asked about birth control. And for the record, neither got pregnant until their mid 30s, when they wanted to be pregnant!

Yep exactly. Like I said above I’m all for people using whatever method works for them if they have the correct info. Withdrawal is a valid form of birth control. Using emergency contraception pills regularly is a valid form of birth control. Abortion is a valid form of birth control.

I hate when people are given incorrect and fear mongering info. Bedsider.org does a good job of explaining options, including withdrawal and fertility awareness.

I don’t think I’d ever be able to trust a guy to pull out in time…
But I do agree each person needs to make their own choice. And we need more great docs like wanderingback who will educate patients, yet support their decisions.

[rhian]

Mar 21, 2024 17:51:51 GMT -5 cap said:

Mar 21, 2024 15:24:59 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Yep exactly. Like I said above I’m all for people using whatever method works for them if they have the correct info. Withdrawal is a valid form of birth control. Using emergency contraception pills regularly is a valid form of birth control. Abortion is a valid form of birth control.

I hate when people are given incorrect and fear mongering info. Bedsider.org does a good job of explaining options, including withdrawal and fertility awareness.

I don’t think I’d ever be able to trust a guy to pull out in time…
But I do agree each person needs to make their own choice. And we need more great docs like wanderingback who will educate patients, yet support their decisions.

I mean, it's totally fine if withdrawal is not a method you want to use (it isn't for me either).

But I think the idea that men can't pull out in time is a product of this incorrect idea that men's sexuality cannot be controlled, when in fact it absolutely can.

There are many people successfully using withdrawal as a birth control method!

[fryjack2]

I like when patients are their own advocate and educate themselves. The problem is where that education is coming from. I say this about myself as well. You can find conflicting data for almost anything. Finding reputable sources and knowing what to trust isn't easy, even for some medical people. Or knowing what studies are considered valid due to the way research was conducted.

And to be honest, the pandemic didn't help with the public's trust of the medical world.

As for birth control, trying a few different pill options is needed sometimes. They don't all impact everyone the same. I had zero sex drive when taking any brand. Switching from Yasmin to Yaz ( I think that was the name? Its been almost 20 years) supposedly wasn't any different, but I definitely noticed unwanted changes in my body when the switch to generic was made.

[notsopicky]

RE: what BlondeSpiders posted--in this era, people in general need a heavy heavy dose of digital literacy skill lessons to deal with the billions of pieces of information they get from the internet.

And LOL all day to the quote, "When asked about the science behind why her symptoms resolved after getting off birth control, Bendayan said she did her own research"...GTFOH. You didn't RESEARCH, you read MORE random shit on the internet to (as mentioned in Spider's post) CONFIRM whatever the hell you thought in the first place. That's what I mean--heavy heavy doses of DL skill lessons, stat.

[wildrice]

I strongly dislike when people act like what they read on the Internet makes them an expert. The woman in the article can GTFO with her own research and selling it as truth to people.

I do think there should be better informed consent and counseling for people on BC. Anecdotally I had felt shitty for years and seen the doctor for multiple tests to see why I felt off so often, and everyone just shrugged and said I was fine. Finally after a DVT (which nobody really talked about being attributed to BC) I went off it, and magically I was much better. I wish someone had considered that it was my problem sooner. I could have tried other things instead of just suffering and being gaslit the whole time!