Social media health trends are ‘putting women’s lives at risk’, warn experts

While speaking publicly about certain concerns can help destigmatise taboo women’s health issues, experts have warned that some social media health trends can do more harm than good.

“Social media does not put the health information in the proper context because it is set up for quick and flashy messages,” Georgie Kovacs, women’s health expert and founder of Fempower Health, told Femtech World.

“The algorithm appears to push content that is sensationalised and there is no way to separate influencers from clinicians.

“Even clinicians vary in their views. The ones who seem to be loudest get the most views and followers, but are they the ones keeping up with data? Are they subconsciously riding the wave of their big personality driving followers and likes and shares?”

Karolina Löfqvist, co-founder and CEO of Hormona, said social media trends typically lack any scientific backing, putting women at serious risk of making “ill-informed” decisions about their bodies.

“While influencer content can serve as useful reminders to women that they are not alone and many accounts are committed to sharing only verified information, social media has blurred the lines between expert and non-expert voices, making it harder to separate the truth from the lies.

“Platforms need to take responsibility for their users’ wellbeing by monitoring and flagging misleading or harmful health content that’s veiled as advice, and enforce stricter user guidelines to curb this growing spread of misinformation.”

Research shows young people are more likely to turn to their social media feeds for health advice, which means they are also more likely to discredit accurate health information. Dr Nitu Bajekal, senior OB/GYN and author of Finding Me in Menopause, is particularly worried about this.

“As a senior OB/GYN with nearly 40 years of clinical experience, I am concerned about the misinformation around hormonal contraception and the benefits of natural methods for contraception,” she explained.

“All these myths and misinformation are putting women’s lives at risk, especially because of the increased risk of an unplanned pregnancy. We know pregnancy can be a risky business for many.

“It also denies women with conditions that cause heavy or painful periods, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids and PCOS, the chance to improve quality of life by being able to regulate their cycles with the pill.

It is all very well for women who are in stable relationships or situations where they can afford to do natural cycle methods or barrier methods with condoms. For the rest of the world, however, having access to effective and safe hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptives remains crucial.”

Hannah Westwood, PhD researcher in the Centre for Postdigital Cultures at Coventry University, said much of the content we see on social media about contraception contains false information, suggesting that hormonal contraceptives are dangerous.

“The promotion of natural contraceptives has risen alongside a backlash against hormonal methods like the pill, patch and injection,” Westwood told Femtech World.

“This trend is worrying because it is encouraging social media users to switch away from their existing hormonal contraceptive method even if it is working for them, to natural methods which may be less effective.

“Natural methods must be carried out properly if they are to work effectively, since conditions such as endometriosis and lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of some of these methods.”

While combating this spread of health misinformation online is difficult, Westwood said it is important that anyone making medical decisions based on information from social media consults a medical professional before making changes.

“Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok need to have more specific guidelines relating to the sharing of health information and take responsibility for addressing the spread of misinformation,” she also noted.

Jamie Norwood, co-founder of sexual health platform Stix, added: “When women don’t have the right information, they could potentially do something harmful to their bodies.

“Now, more than ever, access to medically credible, accurate, and non-judgemental educational content is critical. Sexual education systems are failing us, so women are left to navigate the internet rabbit hole for answers to their most pressing health questions.

“While these trends might seem harmless, we know that young people deserve factual information and tools to navigate their own health.”