Trump administration fuels unfounded concerns that taking Tylenol during pregnancy causes autism
Social media users also debated the difference between birth control and abortion, discussed ectopic pregnancy risks, and promoted false claims about HPV vaccine safety.
Social media users also debated the difference between birth control and abortion, discussed ectopic pregnancy risks, and promoted false claims about HPV vaccine safety.
On September 22, President Donald Trump linked acetaminophen use during pregnancy to autism in children, despite years of research finding no causal relationship between the medication and neurological or developmental differences in kids. His comments sparked a flurry of debate online about whether taking acetaminophen during pregnancy is safe. Plus, earlier this month, articles reported that a U.S. stockpile of birth control intended for people in low-income countries was stranded in Belgium after the State Department alleged that it includes “abortifacients” and said it would be destroyed. However, the stockpile’s inventory list does not include any abortion methods. In response, many social media users correctly noted that birth control is not the same as abortion, while others argued that both preventing and ending any pregnancy is unethical. Other posts discussed the risks of ectopic pregnancy and shared concerns about IUDs. Meanwhile, false claims recirculated about HPV vaccine safety.
In light of these discussions, communicators may share information about pain and fever relief during pregnancy, offer resources about birth control and abortion, outline the risks of ectopic pregnancies, and highlight the effectiveness of IUDs and the benefits of HPV vaccination.
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What’s trending nationally in conversations about reproductive health:
On September 22, President Donald Trump misleadingly claimed that taking acetaminophen (commonly sold under the brand name Tylenol) during pregnancy is linked to autism in children and urged pregnant people not to take it. He also announced that the FDA would initiate a label change for the medication to account for the alleged autism risk. However, the FDA clarified that research into this subject is inconsistent and that experts have not established a causal relationship between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism. Additionally, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists affirmed that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy is safe and highlighted that untreated fevers during pregnancy can be dangerous.
Health care providers refuted President Trump’s claims in articles and on social media. President Trump’s comments also sparked a trend of pregnant people filming themselves taking acetaminophen. Some of those videos received backlash from commenters who falsely claimed that research confirms a link between acetaminophen and autism. Some also suggested that any pregnant person who takes the medication must “hate their baby.” Other social media users recirculated a 2017 X post from Tylenol recommending against using the company’s products during pregnancy. Posts attempted to use the quote as evidence that acetaminophen should not be taken during pregnancy; however Tylenol’s parent company said that the post was taken out of context and that “we do not make recommendations on taking any medications in pregnancy because that is the job of a health care provider.” On September 24, ACOG shared an Instagram post affirming that acetaminophen is safe for pregnant people, garnering approximately 21,200 likes and 600 comments as of September 26. Many commenters accused ACOG of lying. Some expressed concern that government officials are fueling panic about the only pain medication that is safe to use throughout pregnancy.
In mid-September, articles reported that $9.7 million worth of birth control intended for people in low-income countries remained stranded in a Belgian warehouse due to a freeze on U.S. foreign aid. In July, the State Department had said that the birth control stockpile would be destroyed because it includes “abortifacients,” which can end a pregnancy. However, there are no abortion methods included on the inventory list. Several popular posts across social media platforms expressed alarm at birth control being classified as “abortifacients.” Many commenters noted that contraception is not abortion and that forms of contraception like birth control pills and IUDs are also used to relieve symptoms of reproductive health conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome. A few, however, equated birth control with abortion. Some also argued that both preventing and ending a pregnancy is unethical and advocated against birth control and abortion.
On September 16, a Reddit user shared a post stating that they became pregnant when they had a copper IUD. The post garnered approximately 48,000 upvotes and 3,000 comments as of September 23. Most commenters urged the Reddit user to seek immediate medical care, warning that they could be experiencing an ectopic pregnancy because the rare pregnancies that occur when someone has an IUD are more likely to be ectopic. Several commenters clarified that IUDs are extremely effective at preventing pregnancy and do not cause ectopic pregnancies.
Several recent posts across social media platforms spread false claims about the HPV vaccine. On September 19, an X post recirculated a video of the Health and Human Services secretary falsely claiming that the HPV vaccine is unsafe, inadequately tested, and unnecessary for children and teens. The post received more than 1.3 million views as of September 24.
Plus, popular Facebook posts falsely linked chronic health problems like autoimmune diseases and postural orthostatic tachychardia syndrome to the HPV vaccine. While some commenters agreed with these false claims and said that they would never vaccinate their children against HPV, others correctly stated the HPV vaccination has reduced rates of cervical cancer.
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 posts linking prenatal acetaminophen use to autism, messaging may stress that experts have not found a causal relationship between acetaminophen and autism, for which there is 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. However, 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. Taking NSAIDs during the third trimester could lead to fetal anomalies, and the impact of taking them during the first trimester is unclear. Patients seeking pain or fever relief during pregnancy should talk to their health care provider about the best options for them.
Given posts conflating birth control and abortion, messaging may explain that birth control prevents a pregnancy from occurring, while abortion ends a pregnancy. Sharing information about the types of birth control and their effectiveness is recommended. Communicators may also direct people to local health centers or health departments that offer free or low-cost contraception.
Discussion about IUDs and ectopic pregnancy provide an opportunity to explain that IUDs are more than 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. While IUDs are extremely effective, the rare pregnancies that occur when someone has an IUD are more likely to be ectopic, which happens when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus and can be life-threatening. Messaging may include the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, risk factors, and treatment options. Communicators may stress that anyone who suspects that their IUD may have failed should contact a health care provider right away.
False claims about the HPV vaccine frequently circulate online. In response, communicators may explain that HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can cause certain types of cancer, including cervical, anal, and throat cancers. Messaging may stress that most people—males and females—will be exposed to HPV in their life and that the HPV vaccine helps protect against common cancer-causing strains. Communicators may emphasize that like all vaccines, the HPV vaccine was rigorously tested before becoming available and that it has been safely administered for nearly two decades around the world. The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for adolescents ages 11 or 12, but anyone between the ages of 9 and 45 can receive it.