Gynaecologist issues warning to Gen Z over 'toxic' birth control trend
An OB/GYN has warned of ‘toxic’ birth control methods, and a startling trend she’s seeing with young people.
Social media has opened so many doors to allow us to learn more about the world around us. However, it has also brought us too many dangerous trends that people are following.
Health trends in particular, can cause hordes of people to follow along, believing there will be benefits. But sometimes, it can lead to find yourself in hospital.
For Dr Jackie Walters, an OB/GYN and cast member of the TV series, Married to Medicine, people need to steer clear of this birth control trend. The 67-year-old spoke to The Post about one trend she saw that Gen Z has been following, and it’s spreading news that just isn’t true.
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The doctor explained that she’s seeing people not using birth control because of the things they have been told by online creators.
She explained: “I’m seeing a trend among my younger patients, particularly Gen Z, of not using birth control because of misinformation they are seeing online.”
A lot of creators are pushing for ‘natural’ birth control methods or hormone-free alternatives, which may not work for everyone.
According to a KFF survey last year, content has changed the minds of one in seven women who are aged between 18 and 25, making them think twice about their birth control methods.
“One of the most common misconceptions that I personally hear in my practice is that using birth control will make it difficult to get pregnant later,” Walters said.
“But when you stop using hormonal birth control, your body typically returns to its natural state,” she explained.
Usually, it takes around a year to get pregnant after stopping birth control, which allows for your cycles to return to normal. Some rumours online have claimed that some birth control options are actually ‘toxic’ or can cause cancer, making women choose to stop using it all together.
To be honest, I must admit I refused the pill when I learned it causes a slight increase of developing breast cancer. However, this is a fact, and I learned this via the side effect sheet in the pill box.
If you want to find out anything about your contraceptive, reading the form will help you to be fully informed about what you are taking.
But the rumours online take these things to the next level.
The pill has been equated with changing sexual preferences, and being so bad for you it’s equal to smoking. For Walters, this is misinformation and it’s dangerous to spread.
“It’s so important for women to have accurate, trusted information so they can make informed decisions about their reproductive health,” she said.
“When I speak with them, I give them the facts and explain that each method is different, so it’s important to find what works best for them,” she added.
Usually, younger people go for the NEXPLANON, my brand of choice.
“NEXPLANON goes in the arm, not the uterus, and it doesn’t require daily, weekly or monthly dosing,” she said. “It is over 99% effective … and provides up to three years of pregnancy prevention in women.”
Topics: Health, Women's Health, Social Media
Britt Jones