It’s no secret that female health misinformation in the modern day is rife.
In 2023, when a team of researchers at Ohio State University reviewed the 500 most popular TikTok posts related to gynecological cancer, they identified at least 73% of that content as inaccurate.1 In a 2022 survey of endometriosis patients, over half of them believed that they could never become pregnant after seeing the false claim online.2
Around seven in ten Americans use at least one social media platform in their daily lives,3 which can expose them to everything from the discouragement of evidence-based interventions and promotion of alternative medicine to the direct undermining of trust in the healthcare system.4 And research has shown that real-world health decisions are being influenced by the narratives and influences found in these online spaces.5
“So many people hear advice that might be told to them in good faith, but that is medically inaccurate and can lead to harm,” says Dr. Allison Rodgers, reproductive endocrinologist and OB-GYN at the Fertility Centers of Illinois and a member of Flo’s medical board (Dr. Rodgers uses her own social media platforms – with over 2 million collective followers – to promote the accurate information people deserve).
“Healthcare providers are the main warriors in combating misinformation, she emphasizes, “and it starts with one-on-one conversations between providers and their patients.”
“As experts in women's health,” echoes Dr. Renita White, OB-GYN at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology and Flo medical board member, “professionals in our field should be working on the front lines to educate patients about their bodies and empower them to differentiate fact from falsehood.”
So, what precise steps can they take to keep up the fight during consultations? Here, Dr. Rogers and Dr. White share their advice for OB-GYNs.
A critical first step in combating misinformation and promoting evidence-based medical decision-making as a healthcare provider is making sure you’re aware of the claims and narratives that patients might encounter online. [4]
A 2024 narrative review in the Journal of General Internal Medicine analysed internet sources including social media, websites, and online forums, and identified prevalent misleading claims and narratives across various reproductive health topics. [4] Key ones include:
Contraception
Online content frequently shouts about contraception causing weight gain, mental health issues, and infertility, which can turn women against it. These adverse side effects of contraception, both actual and unfounded, are often emphasized to a much greater extent than the benefits — and in some cases, the harms of contraception are argued to be a product of its “unnaturalness.”
Fertility
Online content often distorts fertility facts, offering an overly optimistic portrayal of success rates. For example, on TikTok, the review found that nearly 90% of in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes depicted resulted in live births, vastly overshadowing actual success rates.
Websites promoting egg freezing frequently omit key details, like the possible need for multiple retrieval cycles and the fact that frozen eggs don’t guarantee a future pregnancy. And direct-to-consumer fertility tests are often painted as being able to precisely predict fertility and even the timing of menopause.
Maternal health
Misinformation surrounding pregnancy, miscarriage, childbirth, and breastfeeding often encourages expectant mothers to distrust medical professionals, it seems. Social media posts frequently recommend alternative interventions that contradict established guidelines, such as rejecting epidurals or injectable oxytocin (Pitocin) during labor in favor of herbal supplements.
Some content also promotes excessive or insufficient weight gain during pregnancy, ignoring the risks of either extreme.
Vaccines
This one may come as little surprise. HPV vaccine misinformation frequently exaggerates risks, with claims ranging from increased sexual activity to severe health consequences, including death.
Claims about the COVID-19 vaccine have linked it to infertility and miscarriage, while maternal vaccines recommended by the FDA and CDC during pregnancy are often purported to pose a miscarriage risk.
Chronic disease
Reproductive health conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) are regular targets of misinformation, often centered around “natural” cures. Diets, herbal remedies, and detox regimens are frequently promoted as alternatives to medical treatment, despite a lack of scientific evidence.
“There are so many supplements, herbs, and remedies [being promoted online] that are not regulated by the FDA and not only may not be safe, but may not treat or cure what they advertise,” stresses Dr. Rodgers. She makes sure to address this in consultations.
And in addition, Dr. White highlights how she encounters many patients who are falsely diagnosing themselves with hormone deficiencies or hormone imbalances due to misguided information.
Instead of just telling a patient what they should know about a topic, healthcare providers are advised to proactively explore their existing beliefs, biases and influences.6
“I try to combat misinformation by first asking patients what they already know about the specific health issue we are discussing,” elaborates Dr. White. “This helps me identify any misinformation that I can correct while we talk.”
It can help to allow patients to express themselves fully, rather than interrupting to correct them right away. Plus, providers may want to avoid simply telling the patient that they’re wrong; instead, spend more time focused on why the evidence you’re offering is correct — and what that means for them. [6]
Even if the patient doesn’t quote misinformation, clinicians may still wish to bust common myths off the bat. For example, those providing contraceptive counseling may want to pre-emptively address concerns about weight gain or mental health. Or those handling an endometriosis diagnosis may want to emphasize that patients can still get pregnant. [4]
Given that certain claims and narratives online serve to directly undermine trust in the medical system, any efforts to cultivate a safe and secure space for patients – where they don’t feel judged, patronised, or dismissed – can go a long way.
“As healthcare providers, our time is limited,” says Dr. White. “But it’s important to spend time explaining what's going on with a patient's body. Encouraging them to ask questions, and offering them visuals and written literature, too, can make it easier for patients to understand accurate health information.”
When possible, consider using less technical, more accessible language, and engage with the patient and their concerns with empathy. Again, instead of bluntly dismissing inaccurate information, consider what their motivations are — and find common ground.
For example, perhaps a patient is worried about their long-term health in relation to the HPV vaccine. They may benefit from being reassured that you, as their provider, are committed to the same goal – protecting their long-term health – too. [6]
Both Dr. Rodgers and Dr. White stress the importance of specifying trusted sources where patients can get their information (i.e., produced with the involvement of healthcare professionals and/or associated with certified women's health organizations). OB-GYNs may wish to advise patients on how they can assess the credibility of sources themselves, too.
“There’s also reliable sources such as the Flo app,” adds Dr. Rodgers, “which uses board-certified medical advisors to make sure the information is accurate and up to date.”
Flo is a health partner for girls and women throughout their lives, offering a wealth of resources and support on everything from periods to perimenopause; sexual health to chronic conditions. Every piece of Flo content is created with, and reviewed by, our board of industry-leading experts (140+ and counting!). So you can be sure your patients are in good hands with us.
The patient can also download the perimenopause data and symptom patterns they’ve logged and share it with you to support your care plan for them. So it’s a win for everyone.
–
The fight against misinformation may be complex and ongoing. But as a healthcare community, we can tackle it. By proactively addressing myths, fostering trust with patients, and promoting reliable sources of health information, healthcare professionals everywhere can help reshape the conversation — ensuring that facts, not fear, guide women’s reproductive health decisions.