Access to accurate sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information is essential for individuals to make informed decisions about their bodies, families, and futures. Yet the digital age has ushered in an unprecedented spread of misleading health information. Across social media, online forums, and even political discourse, misinformation and disinformation (MDI) about contraception, pregnancy, abortion, and other reproductive health topics are increasingly common. Addressing this challenge requires coordinated action from clinicians, public health leaders, policymakers, and you.
Understanding the Difference: Misinformation vs. Disinformation
Although often used interchangeably, mis- and disinformation are distinct concepts:
MDI can include inaccurate news stories, conspiracy theories, disinformation campaigns, propaganda, biased reporting, and more. Both forms can undermine public health, but disinformation campaigns, which are often coordinated and politically motivated, can be particularly damaging when they target sensitive issues like SRH.
Why are People Susceptible to Mis- and Disinformation?
When we read, hear, or view new information, we often focus on understanding it and figuring out what to do next, rather than evaluating its accuracy; determining what is truthful requires more effort. People are more likely to believe false information if it comes from sources that are familiar, they judge the source to be credible, it appeals to emotions like fear or outrage, it paints “opponents” in a negative light, or it is repeated (even if contradicting prior knowledge). To a lesser degree, age, educational attainment, and analytical skills factor into susceptibility to MDI (American Psychological Association, 2024).
Trends in MDI in Today’s Information Environment
SRH topics are especially vulnerable to MDI because they intersect with social stigma, political debate, personal values, and gaps in formal sex education. Several trends illustrate how misleading information spreads.
Social media MDI
Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have become major sources of health information, particularly for adolescents and young adults. However, studies suggest a significant portion of SRH content circulating on these platforms is inaccurate or misleading. One analysis found that over 20% of sexual health videos created by non-medical creators on TikTok contained inaccurate information (Sirilan, 2025) , with even higher rates of MDI in abortion-related content.
Similarly, research examining birth control content on TikTok found that more than half of popular videos discouraged hormonal contraception (de Moel-Mandel, Donnelly, &; Bugden, 2025), and many were created by unqualified influencers rather than healthcare professionals.
Misleading narratives about contraception and fertility
Online narratives on social media platforms and promulgated by anti-abortion and anti-contraception groups frequently exaggerate risks associated with evidence-based interventions, practices that have been proven effective through high-quality research, data analysis, and clinical trials. Reviews of SRH MDI have documented claims suggesting that contraception causes severe long-term harm, that vaccines affect fertility, or that unproven “natural” methods are more effective than medical options.
Some content promotes alternative remedies, such as herbal contraceptives or home abortion methods, that not only lack scientific evidence but also may pose safety risks. At the same time, it is possible to validate individual experiences (like someone experiencing severe pain during IUD insertion or mood changes after starting a particular birth control pill) that can coexist with, rather than contradict, objective data. Acknowledging a person’s emotions and interpretations are understandable, even if their understanding of the facts differs from research findings and evidence-based practices, can help build a trusted relationship between health professionals and patients.
Emerging technologies amplifying MDI
New technologies are also contributing to the problem of MDI in SRH. AI-generated deepfakes have recently been used to impersonate doctors in videos promoting unverified health recommendations, making misleading content appear credible and authoritative.
Algorithmic magnification
Social media algorithms often prioritize engaging content over accurate information.
This means emotionally charged or sensational claims about SRH may spread more
widely than evidence-based information, reinforcing echo chambers and MDI cycles.
How MDI Shapes Health Decisions
The spread of inaccurate SRH information has tangible consequences for both individuals and communities.
Patient decision-making
MDI can affect how individuals perceive risks and benefits of care. For example, studies have found that exposure to negative narratives about contraception online can create a “nocebo effect,” where individuals experience perceived side effects driven by expectations of harm rather than the birth control method itself.
More broadly, misleading information can lead to:
These outcomes undermine patients’ ability to make informed, evidence-based choices about their health.
Influence on policy and public discourse
MDI also shapes the policy environment. When inaccurate claims circulate widely, they can affect public understanding and influence policymakers’ priorities. Researchers warn that widespread SRH MDI can create a “distorted policy environment” that undermines evidence-based policymaking and access to services (Purnat, et al., 2025).
Legislators and policymakers, many of whom pay attention to constituent concerns, media narratives, and advocacy campaigns, may encounter misleading claims about SRH risks, effectiveness of interventions, or the safety of medical procedures. These narratives can influence regulatory decisions, funding priorities, and public health strategies.
Strategies to Confront MDI in Clinical and Public Health Settings
Clinicians, healthcare systems, and public health practitioners play a critical role in addressing MDI at the patient level. Some strategies and tactics that can help improve patient understanding and community health include:
1. Fostering open, nonjudgmental conversations
Patients may hesitate to discuss information they encountered online if they fear judgment. Clinicians can normalize these conversations by affirming patients’ experiences, sharing accurate information, and asking questions. Acknowledging patients’ concerns helps build trust and opens the door to correcting MDI.
2. Using evidence-based counseling
Providing clear, concise explanations grounded in evidence can help counter misleading narratives. Visual aids, decision-making tools, and patient-friendly resources can help clarify complex topics such as contraceptive effectiveness or medication safety.
3. Directing patients to trusted information sources
Healthcare providers can guide patients toward credible resources from public health agencies, professional medical organizations, and academic institutions. Some trusted information sources include:
Strategies for Addressing MDI in Policy Settings
Combating SRH MDI also requires engagement beyond the clinical setting. It is important to ensure policymakers can address MDI at the community level and beyond. Strategies and tactics that can help enhance SRH policymaking include:
1. Providing policymakers with clear, accessible evidence
Public health experts and clinicians can play a key role by translating research into concise policy briefs, testimony, and educational materials that clearly explain the scientific consensus.
2. Monitoring and responding to emerging MDI trends
Public health agencies and advocacy organizations can track emerging narratives online and proactively respond with evidence-based messaging.
3. Partnering with trusted community voices
Community leaders, educators, and patient advocates can help disseminate accurate information in culturally relevant ways that resonate with diverse audiences.
4. Supporting digital literacy and platform accountability
Investing in media literacy education and encouraging stronger content moderation policies can help reduce the spread of harmful health MDI online.
Moving Forward
Misinformation and disinformation in sexual and reproductive health represent a growing challenge in an increasingly digital world. Left unchecked, they can erode trust in healthcare, influence personal health decisions, and distort policymaking.
Addressing this issue requires a coordinated effort across sectors. Patients benefit when clincians engage them in open dialogue and provide evidence-based guidance. Community members benefit when public health professionals monitor and respond to emerging MDI trends. The public benefits when [policymakers prioritize data-driven evidence when shaping health policy.
Ultimately, strengthening the information environment around SRH is not just about correcting false claims; it is about ensuring that every individual has access to accurate, trustworthy information needed to make informed and empowered decisions about their health and lives.
References
American Psychological Association (2024). What psychological factors make people susceptible to believe and act on misinformation? Retreived from Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/journalism-facts/misinformation-belief-action
de Moel-Mandel, C., Donnelly, A., & Bugden, M. (2025). “Do You Know What Birth Control Actually Does to Your Body?”: Assessing Contraceptive Information on TikTok. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 57(3), 358-367.
Purnat, T. D., Wilhelm, E., Scales, D., Wardle, C., Bastien, S., Ganatra, B., . . . Nihlen, A. (2025). Impacts of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Misinformation in Digital Spaces on Human Rights Protection and Promotion: Scoping Review. JMIR Infodemiology. doi:10.2196/83747
Sirilan, A. (2025). Digital Misinformation and Public Health: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Sexual Health Content on TikTok. 2025 Call for Abstracts: Council on Adolescents and Young Adults. American Academy of Pediatrics.
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