Posts share misleading claims about birth control pill safety

Meanwhile, false claims about prenatal acetaminophen use and autism reemerged.

Recent social media posts shared the misleading claim that the World Health Organization “just” classified birth control pills as a Group 1 carcinogen, fueling safety concerns. Plus, a new study sparked another wave of false claims linking prenatal acetaminophen use to autism, and a bill that would effectively ban mifepristone raised alarm.

In light of these discussions, communicators may recirculate information about birth control pills, medication during pregnancy, and medication abortion.

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What’s trending nationally in conversations about reproductive health:

In the past two weeks, social media posts across platforms alleged that WHO recently classified birth control pills as a Group 1 carcinogen. However, WHO has classified birth control pills that contain both estrogen and progestin as Group 1 carcinogens since 1999 because there is some evidence that they may slightly increase the risk of breast and cervical cancer. Some posts repeating the claim received millions of views, and some commenters encouraged others to stop taking birth control pills due to safety concerns. Most correctly stated that this is not new information, and a few suggested talking to a health care provider about the risks and benefits of different birth control options.

On March 14, the Lancet published a study finding that the use of acetaminophen in emergency rooms among pregnant people declined in the weeks after President Donald Trump falsely linked prenatal use of the medication to autism in September 2025. Most social media users expressed frustration about the lasting impact of President Trump’s false claim. Some repeated the false claim and said that they felt worried about taking acetaminophen during pregnancy, even if they have a fever or pain.

On March 11, a Missouri senator introduced a bill that would revoke the FDA’s approval of the abortion pill mifepristone, which would effectively ban the medication, citing unfounded safety concerns. Social media users criticized the bill, noting that mifepristone has been approved and safely used for decades. Many also expressed concern that banning mifepristone could lead people to seek abortions in unsafe, unregulated ways.

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Recommendations for public health professionals

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. 

As concerns about birth control pills persist, communicators may continue to stress that they are a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy, reduce menstrual cramps, ease premenstrual symptoms, and make periods lighter, among other uses. Communicators may clarify what it means for something to be classified as a Group 1 carcinogen: It means there is some evidence it can cause cancer, but not all Group 1 carcinogens have the same potency, and they also don’t cause cancer in all people who are exposed. Additionally, messaging may highlight that while birth control pills may slightly increase the risk of breast and cervical cancer, research shows they may decrease the risk of endometrial, ovarian, and colorectal cancer, which may give them an overall protective effect against cancer. Encouraging people to talk with their health care provider about their personal risks and benefits is recommended. Communicators may also want to outline the different types of birth control and direct people to local health clinics and pharmacies where they can access birth control with a prescription or over the counter.

Unfounded concerns about taking acetaminophen during pregnancy provide an opportunity to reiterate that experts have found no causal relationship between acetaminophen and autism, which has no single known cause. Communicators may emphasize that doctors and groups like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say it’s safe to take acetaminophen during pregnancy as needed after consulting with your doctor, although nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), aspirin, and Aleve should only be taken during the second trimester and only for 48 hours or less at a time. Messaging may stress that acetaminophen can be used to treat a fever and pain during pregnancy, especially as untreated fever increases the risk of certain fetal anomalies, and untreated pain increases stress hormones, which can also harm the fetus. Communicators may encourage pregnant individuals to talk to their health care provider about options for fever and pain relief.

Given an uptick in discussions about abortion pills, messaging may emphasize that medication abortion accounts for nearly two-thirds of abortions in the U.S. and that the risk of major complications from abortion pills is less than 1 percent. Communicators may also want to recirculate resources like AbortionFinder.org, which helps people find reputable abortion providers; Plan C, which offers information about accessing abortion pills in every state; the Repro Legal Helpline, which connects people with lawyers who can answer questions about abortion, miscarriage, and birth; and the National Network of Abortion Funds, which helps people pay for an abortion and associated costs.