Social media will tell you birth control causes mental health issues, weight gain and infertility – here are the facts

• Some women are reportedly even stopping their birth control as a result of misleading posts they’ve seen on TikTok and Instagram.
• These three common misconceptions about birth control are cropping up online and need to be put in context:

1. Contraception causes depression

• Countless videos on social media discuss the effect hormonal contraceptives have on mental health – with some creators claiming birth control causes mood changes and even depression.
• Although there’s some correlation between mental health and some forms of contraception, there are many factors at play.

• The articles in this series explore the questions and bring answers as we navigate this turbulent period of life.
• The evidence suggests depression is more common in adolescent girls – and diminishes after the first two years of taking these forms of birth control.
• At present, there’s little conclusive evidence that contraception (both hormonal and non-hormonal types) cause mental health problems.

2. Contraception causes weight gain

• Another common social media claim is that birth control causes weight gain.
• There is one form of contraception that is linked to weight gain.
• The Depo-Provera injection, which is administered every 12 weeks, has been proved to cause weight gain.

This weight gain may be due to the progesterone in the shot, which can cause people to feel hungrier – potentially leading to overeating and weight gain. If you’re concerned about potential weight gain, the injection is not the only form of contraception available. Other forms of hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptives have not been shown to affect your weight.

3. Birth control lowers your fertility

• Another common claim on social media is that birth control causes fertility issues.
• Research shows hormonal contraceptives have no affect on fertility.
• Again, evidence shows that IUDs pose no risk to fertility.
• A systematic review reports no specific differences in fertility between hormonal and non-hormonal IUDs.

Christopher O'Sullivan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.