The Pitfalls of the Buzzing "Natural Contraception": The Temptation of "Ditching the Pill" and Its Costs - How to Reach "Accurate Information" in the Era of Short Videos

Introduction: The More Likes, The Greater the Risk?

Swipe through short videos, and you'll find "contraceptive hacks" and "natural and body-friendly" methods set to catchy music. However, behind this ease, the risks for young people are quietly accumulating. A study by La Trobe University examined 100 contraceptive-related videos on TikTok, which garnered approximately 5 billion views and 14.6 million likes, yet many contained misunderstandings and biases. Notably, over half (53%) viewed hormonal contraception negatively, and over a third (34%) expressed distrust towards medical professionals. Despite this, videos by healthcare professionals accounted for only 10% of the total.Wyndhamlatrobe.edu.auPubMed

The study points out that while narratives like "natural contraception through cycle and basal body temperature" are popular, the essential prerequisites—accurate understanding of hormonal fluctuations, sustained behavior, and partner cooperation—are often overlooked. Videos promoting methods with high failure rates when used alone are spreading without adequate disclaimers.Wyndham

Why Can't the "10% Experts" Win: The Dynamics of Spread

Researchers at La Trobe note that although healthcare professionals' videos have higher engagement per video, their overall visibility is lower compared to influencers. Algorithms tend to favor "face-to-face storytelling," "personal experiences," and "shocking headlines," making scientific explanations relatively disadvantaged. Australian medical association media and general newspapers have also introduced this research, widely sharing the awareness of the issue.RACGPThe AustralianThe New Daily

In English-speaking regions, narratives like "hormonal contraception is dangerous," "the pill is poison," and "let's return to nature" are repeatedly visualized, linking the aesthetics of non-hormonal methods ("natural") with "medical distrust." This trend is observed in the US and UK as well, where even when healthcare professionals counter, the appeal of "personal experiences" continues to prevail.WIREDThe Times

Reading SNS Reactions: A Three-Layer Structure of Empathy, Alarm, and Rebuttal

Reactions to this topic on social media generally fall into three layers.

1) Alarm from Healthcare and Public Health Sectors
Australian GP media introduced the research on X, warning that "misinformation increases the risk of unwanted pregnancies." News media also spread the message that "short videos are unsuitable as a source of contraceptive information."X (formerly Twitter)

2) Sharing of Personal Experiences
On platforms like Reddit, personal experiences such as "the side effects of the pill were tough" and "natural methods are working well" are shared with mixed opinions. However, there are also self-restrained reactions like "experiences are for reference, but be cautious about generalizing." Personal success stories tend to go viral, while failure examples and conditional disclaimers are easily overlooked.Reddit

3) Rebuttal and Defense from Creators/Followers
There are a certain number of doubts about existing systems, such as "existing medicine overlooks side effects" and "is only information convenient for companies correct?" Here, a "trust gap" becomes apparent, and without careful explanations from healthcare professionals, algorithms can easily amplify distrust.WIRED

Typical Misinformation and "Correct Usage"

To organize the discussion, let's focus on three common misconceptions and evidence-based points.

• "Cycle and App Management Alone Are Enough": The effectiveness of cycle and basal body temperature methods increases only with thorough condition management. When used alone, the failure rate is high, and the robustness as a contraceptive method is limited. Partner cooperation and sustained behavior are prerequisites.Wyndham

• "The Pill Leads to Long-Term Infertility": Many reviews and guidelines do not support a causal link between long-term pill use and permanent infertility. Ovulation generally returns within a few cycles after discontinuation, and side effects can be mitigated by consulting a doctor for medication changes or dosage adjustments.Teen Vogue

• "All Hormonal Methods Are Dangerous": While concerns about side effects are understandable, decisions should be made considering scientifically established effects and risk evaluations. Professional societies and medical media in the UK and Australia also warn that excessive fear could lead to an increase in unwanted pregnancies among young people.The TimesRACGP

Why Does Misinformation Spread: Emotion, Experience, Algorithm

"My experience" holds strong persuasive power and pairs well with short videos. When algorithms support this, specialized knowledge can easily be buried. Furthermore, when distrust towards healthcare professionals and dissatisfaction with medical experiences—such as "not being listened to" or "side effects being overlooked"—combine, recipients may find solace in narratives like "natural" and "detox." Researchers suggest that the medical side should also work on rebuilding trust through "Shared Decision-Making."latrobe.edu.au

Interestingly, healthcare professionals themselves are engaging in "DIY debunking" on TikTok, attempting to dispel misinformation on the spot through duets and stitches. This approach builds trust through primary dialogue rather than relying solely on organizational moderation.arXiv

A "Detecting" Checklist You Can Use from Today (5 Items)

1. Source: Is it from a doctor, midwife, or public institution? Check profiles and external links.latrobe.edu.au

2. Evidence: Are there names of papers, guidelines, or links to primary information? (In this case, peer-reviewed articles in PSRH journal are primary information)Wiley Online Library

3. Conditions and Warnings: Are "inconvenient information" such as success conditions, failure rates, and side effects clearly stated?Wyndham

4. Inflammatory Expressions: Be cautious of definitive or all-powerful claims like "absolute," "one-shot," or "miracle."

5. Cross-Referencing Multiple Sources: Check consistency across different media such as research institution releases, medical media, and broadcasters.latrobe.edu.auRACGPABC

Protecting the Right to "Not Know" as a Recipient

When confused by information, return to the principle of the **"right to say you don't know."** Communicate your concerns about side effects openly to healthcare professionals and review options and trade-offs together. Updating school sex education and digital health literacy is also essential. The research team suggests that public institutions and influencers should collaborate to create language that resonates with young people.Wyndham

Finally, this theme is not limited to Australia. Similar phenomena occur in various countries, and the media repeatedly reports on them. While "easy-to-watch" videos are increasing,increasing "correctly usable" informationis a challenge for all of us.The Times

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