Natural contraceptive methods are trending right now. An ever-increasing amount of people with a uterus are turning to fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) such as period tracking apps to better understand their body and menstrual cycle. But how are they finding out about these natural birth control methods, and is the information they’re receiving reliable?
Researchers from La Trobe University have conducted a study of over 100 TikTok videos with the top five hashtags related to contraception. What they found may have you questioning the birth control content the algorithm is serving up on your FYP.
The natural birth control social media movement
The study found that the most frequently discussed contraceptive methods across these 100 TikTok videos were fertility awareness and cycle tracking. 53% of the content creators making the videos were general uploaders, hormonal health coaches and health educators,rather than qualified health professionals. Their key message? Rejection of hormonal contraceptives like the pill in favour of natural birth control methods.
Natural contraception content on TikTok: what’s being left unsaid?
It’s difficult to address all the pros, cons, risks and strengths of a contraceptive method in a pithy 30-second video. The researchers found a severe lack of transparency and explanation in the videos focusing on fertility awareness methods. In most cases, they did not address the ineffectiveness of natural contraceptives when used on their own (instead of alongside other contraceptive devices such as condoms, which also protect from STIs). They also failed to mention factors that can impact fertility tracking, including illness, stress, irregular cycles or uncooperative sexual partners. All these things can make tracking less reliable and the risk of unwanted pregnancy high.
How the algorithm exacerbates the spread of misinformation
Possibly the most alarming insight to come out of this study is that TikTok’s algorithm is amplifying influencer’s voices over health professionals. This is despite the fact that the videos featuring qualified health professionals were receiving, on average, more likes and followers.
The videos in the study created by influencers recounting experiences with particular hormonal contraceptive methods were overwhelmingly negative. TikTok prioritises these videos over accurate, reliable and informative content from medical experts because negative health experiences and opinions generally result in higher engagement.
The chief concern with this algorithm is that young people are receiving a very skewed view of contraception. If viewers get information about contraception predominantly through TikTok content (and increasingly, young people are turning to the platform for health advice), natural contraceptive methods will appear to be the simplest form of birth control favoured by most, while hormonal contraception is portrayed as fraught with complications. The personal experiences of a small number of people quickly become the widely accepted norm. This can be harmful because every person is different, and the best type of contraceptive for one person may not align with the health, body and lifestyle of another.
Is hormonal contraception really the enemy?
No! While fertility awareness methods can work well for some, especially when combined with other methods of birth control, it may not be practical or reliable for others. Hormonal contraceptives are used safely and effectively by many people worldwide, and there are a wide range of options for those with different health priorities.
If you’re interested in finding the best contraceptive method for you, take our contraceptive quiz.
What can you do to be better informed about contraceptive methods?
Proactively seek out more information from a range of reliable sources. You don’t need to assume that everything you’re hearing on TikTok about contraception is incorrect, but don’t immediately accept it as fact, either. Just because an influencer had a negative experience with hormonal contraception, doesn’t mean you will too. But your concerns deserve to be heard and addressed in a respectful and open manner. If you’re unsure or worried about something you’ve heard about a contraceptive method, seek medical advice from your healthcare provider or visit reliable websites like Queensland Health or Children by Choice for more information.
Children by Choice has a huge range of resources to help you find out more about contraception.
