Most TikTok videos about birth control are unreliable, study finds

A new study published in Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health suggests that popular TikTok videos about contraception are often misleading, low in quality, and rarely created by medical professionals. Researchers found that these videos frequently promote “natural” methods over hormonal options and sometimes express distrust in healthcare providers—raising concerns about how social media may be influencing reproductive health decisions.

With over two billion users, TikTok has become a major source of health information—especially among young adults in their reproductive years. Its appeal lies in its short, engaging videos and powerful recommendation algorithm, which personalizes content based on a user’s behavior. This can increase exposure to health information but may also create “filter bubbles,” where users repeatedly encounter the same views without access to alternative perspectives.

Given that contraceptive decisions often involve private, stigmatized topics, platforms like TikTok can offer a unique space for people to seek guidance outside of formal medical settings. But the popularity of non-expert content, including influencers who may lack any formal health training, raises the risk that inaccurate or one-sided information is shaping beliefs and behaviors around birth control. Prior studies have explored the quality of contraceptive information on other platforms, but few have focused on TikTok specifically.

To address this gap, the research team set out to systematically assess the reliability and quality of contraceptive content on TikTok, particularly around methods like the birth control pill and fertility awareness techniques. Their goal was to understand who is creating this content, what kind of information is being shared, and whether viewers are being misinformed.

“Research has shown that many young people nowadays are turning to social media for health information, including contraception. I’ve noticed this myself with my daughters and their friends, and I realized that not everything they see online is accurate. As a former general practitioner now working in public health research, this really stood out to me, so I decided to explore what kind of information is being shared online and how it might influence young people’s decisions,” said study author Caroline de Moel-Mandel, a lecturer and researcher at La Trobe University.

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Between August and September 2023, the researchers searched TikTok using a fresh account set to mimic an 18-year-old female user in Australia. This strategy helped them avoid personalized algorithmic recommendations and better reflect what a typical new user might encounter. They selected the top five most-viewed hashtags related to contraceptive methods—#birthcontrol, #contraception, #thepill, #naturalbirthcontrol, and #cycletracking—and pulled the 20 most popular videos from each tag, resulting in a sample of 100 English-language videos.

Each video was assessed for basic information, such as the creator’s background, views, likes, and stated purpose. The researchers grouped creators into five categories: general uploaders (everyday users or influencers), medical professionals, hormone health coaches (self-identified), health educators (including naturopaths and wellness coaches), and online companies. They also evaluated whether videos expressed support or rejection of hormonal methods and whether they expressed trust or distrust in healthcare providers.

To measure content quality, the researchers used a tool called DISCERN, which rates the reliability and accuracy of health information. While DISCERN was originally developed for written material, it has been adapted for use with online video content. Each video received a score based on how clearly it presented its aims, explained treatment options, cited sources, and discussed risks and benefits.

The results point to a widespread presence of low-quality contraceptive content on TikTok. Collectively, the 100 videos had over 4.85 billion views. Yet only 10% were created by licensed medical professionals. The vast majority came from general uploaders, hormone health coaches, and health educators—groups that often lack formal medical training.

Videos from these non-clinical creators often promoted fertility awareness or cycle tracking methods. Over half of all videos (53%) explicitly rejected hormonal birth control, and 34% expressed some level of distrust toward health professionals or medical advice. Most of the creators expressing these views based them on personal experiences or anecdotal advice.

“While we anticipated that much of the information on this platform would be incorrect or incomplete, we were genuinely surprised to find that over half of the video creators explicitly rejected hormonal birth control, including the pill, injections, implants, and hormonal IUDs,” de Moel-Mandel told PsyPost.

“Even more concerning, one in three uploaders expressed distrust toward healthcare professionals, often based on personal experiences or unverified opinions and anecdotal advice. This widespread rejection of evidence-based methods and medical guidance reflects a deeper issue of misinformation and mistrust that could have serious public health implications.”

The DISCERN scores suggest that the overall quality and reliability of the videos were poor. The median total score was 27 out of a possible 75. Videos by medical professionals scored the highest, but even these were rated as poor quality on average. The lowest-scoring videos came from hormone health coaches and general uploaders. This pattern held across multiple dimensions, including how well the videos explained how different contraceptive methods work and whether they discussed both benefits and risks.

Some videos went beyond standard methods to promote unproven alternatives such as papaya seeds or coconut oil as contraceptives. These posts did not include evidence-based evaluations or warnings about risks.

Notably, the creators who expressed distrust in hormonal birth control or health professionals were overwhelmingly white, female-presenting, and in their late twenties to early forties. Many framed their content as empowering or as an effort to “reclaim” their bodies from medical systems they viewed as dismissive or coercive.

The study highlights the growing influence of social media on medical decision-making, especially among younger users. On a platform where negative experiences and controversial opinions tend to drive engagement, videos that challenge conventional medical advice are more likely to gain traction. But the content that gains popularity is not always the most accurate—or the most helpful when making health-related decisions.

“People should be aware that the vast majority of TikTok videos on contraception are not created by medical professionals and generally contain inaccurate or incomplete information not based on medical evidence,” de Moel-Mandel explained. “These videos commonly criticize hormonal birth control and promote natural methods without acknowledging their limitations, such as the need for strict consistency, partner cooperation, and reduced effectiveness when used alone.”

“This misinformation can lead to unsafe contraceptive choices, increasing the risk of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. It is therefore essential to remain critical about the information encountered online and seek guidance from trusted healthcare professionals when making decisions about reproductive health.”

At the same time, the study acknowledges that not all users are simply being misled—they are also responding to dissatisfaction with how contraceptive care is delivered. Many creators described feeling dismissed or pressured by healthcare providers. These concerns reflect longstanding critiques of contraceptive counseling, where the focus on preventing pregnancy sometimes overshadows users’ concerns about side effects or autonomy.

The study provides a timely snapshot of contraceptive misinformation on TikTok, but it does have some limitations. The sample included only 100 videos, all in English, and was drawn at one point in time. TikTok’s algorithm and trending topics change rapidly, which means the content available to users can shift over days or weeks.

“As with any research, there are a few limitations that should be considered,” de Moel-Mandel noted. “Our sample, captured at a single point in time, was relatively small and confined to English-language videos, which may not reflect broader trends. We used a tool designed for written health information to assess video content, which introduced some subjectivity, although we aimed to address this by including a third reviewer to resolve notable rating discrepancies. Finally, we categorized video creators based on self-reported data, which may not always have been entirely accurate.”

The researchers suggest that future studies should explore how TikTok content affects contraceptive decisions, particularly among younger viewers. There is also a need to better understand the role of non-clinical influencers in shaping attitudes toward birth control.

“We are currently initiating a new and relevant project that still in the early stages. More details will be shared as the project progresses,” de Moel-Mandel said.

“I would like to add that TikTok and other social media platforms, can also offer valuable public health opportunities, as they allow people from diverse backgrounds and geographic locations to access health information and support. When used responsibly, these platforms can be powerful tools, especially when accurate information is shared by relatable creators who advocate for safe and effective practices. Collaborating with such influencers can help ensure messages resonate and encourage informed decision-making.”

The study, “‘Do You Know What Birth Control Actually Does to Your Body?’: Assessing Contraceptive Information on TikTok,” was authored by Caroline de Moel-Mandel, Arielle Donnelly, and Megan Bugden.