Clinical trials for men’s birth control pill garner mixed reactions online
Other posts highlighted challenges with breastfeeding and debated whether abortion bans delay miscarriage treatment.
Other posts highlighted challenges with breastfeeding and debated whether abortion bans delay miscarriage treatment.
Last week, articles reported on promising clinical trials for a men’s birth control pill. While some social media users celebrated the option, others suggested that men would be unlikely to take the pill or falsely claimed that currently available birth control pills are unsafe. Other posts discussed struggles with breastfeeding and debated whether abortion bans delayed lifesaving miscarriage treatment.
In light of these discussions, communicators may outline the types of available birth control for men and women, share resources for breastfeeding, and recirculate information about abortion laws and how bans restrict treatment for miscarriages.
Insights brought to you by the reporters and science writers of Public Good News (PGN), a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to improving community health.
What’s trending nationally in conversations about reproductive health:
Recent articles reported on a clinical trial that found that a hormone-free birth control pill for men (YCT-529) is safe and effective at inhibiting sperm production. More clinical trials are underway. Some social media users across platforms celebrated the trial’s results. Many others, however, said that they don’t trust men to take a daily pill and suggested that the pill will be “a hard sell” if it becomes available to the public. Several also demanded a hormone-free birth control pill for women, with some falsely claiming that hormonal birth control pills are unsafe.
World Breastfeeding Week, the first week of August, also sparked online conversation. On August 4, a songwriter and social media influencer with 2 million Instagram followers shared a reel about her breastfeeding experience, noting that she has struggled with it because of challenges with her baby’s latch. The post received approximately 17,700 likes and 1,000 comments as of August 5. Many commenters thanked her for normalizing struggles with breastfeeding and shared their own breastfeeding challenges. Other social media users on a Reddit thread discussing breastfeeding expressed feeling shame about not being able to breastfeed and asked questions about how to increase breast milk production and ensure that their breast milk is safe for their babies.
On August 3, an X user shared a post about her experience receiving a prescription for misoprostol in Kentucky after an incomplete miscarriage. She said, “I wasn’t arrested for having a miscarriage and I still got the care that I needed in a state with abortion restrictions. Don’t listen to the faux outcry from pro-aborts about miscarriage treatment. Any doctor or pharmacist refusing to treat a woman for miscarriage should lose their license.” Her post received approximately 58,400 views, 3,000 likes, 300 reposts, and 200 comments as of August 5. Most commenters expressed condolences, and a few falsely claimed that abortion bans do not cause delays in care for people experiencing miscarriages. However, one commenter correctly stated, “Not all women are receiving appropriate care and medications. There are women going home hemorrhaging to death or returning to hospitals with sepsis from under treatment.”
Recommendations brought to you by the health communication experts behind Infodemiology.com.
Recommendations for public health professionals
Each week, the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about reproductive health.
In response to false claims about birth control pills, communicators may share information about the types of hormonal and non-hormonal birth control for people of all genders. Messaging may also explain that birth control pills are a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy. They can also ease premenstrual symptoms, reduce cramps, and make periods lighter, and some can prevent acne, iron deficiency, breast and ovarian cysts, and bone thinning. Birth control pills have been shown to decrease the risk of endometrial, ovarian, and colorectal cancer.
The increase in conversation about breastfeeding for World Breastfeeding Week provides an opportunity for communicators to continue highlighting the benefits of breastfeeding. Messaging may explain that breast milk provides the most nutrition for babies and that exclusively breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of a baby’s life. However, supplementing with infant formula is recommended when exclusively breastfeeding is not possible or when babies are not receiving enough nutrients from breast milk. Communicators may want to share information about increasing milk supply; pumping and storing breast milk; safe donor breast milk; preparing and using formula; and local lactation consultants, including WIC Designated Breastfeeding Experts for WIC-enrolled parents. Sharing the National Women’s Health and Breastfeeding Helpline (1-800-994-9662) is recommended. Additional messaging may recirculate local mental health resources for breastfeeding parents who may be facing challenges.
The impact of abortion bans continues to drive debate online. Messaging may explain that abortion bans have been shown to delay lifesaving care for people experiencing a miscarriage. Communicators may also want to recirculate information about local abortion laws and direct people to the Repro Legal Helpline, a free resource that connects people with lawyers who can answer questions about miscarriage, abortion, and birth and supports pregnant people who are being denied lifesaving care. Communicators may recirculate resources like AbortionFinder.org, which helps people find reputable abortion providers, and Plan C, which offers information about accessing abortion pills in every state.