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in collaboration with
Bertrand de Rochambeau (Gynecologist, president of SYNGOF)
And
Dr Elisabeth Paganelli (medical gynecologist and member of the Union of Gynecologists and Obstetricians of France (Syngof))
The contraceptive pill is the subject of significant misinformation on social networks. Accused of being a poison, this method of contraception is rejected by certain women, who risk finding themselves pregnant, without wanting to.
The pill is a reliable means of contraception to avoid getting pregnant. But for some time now, she has been the subject of a disinformation campaign on social networks. “However, it is an old treatment, inexpensive and which works very well” estimates Dr Elisabeth Paganelli, medical gynecologist and general secretary of SYNGOF, the main union of gynecologists and obstetricians in France.
False information is circulating about the pill
For several years, false information has been circulating on social networks regarding the pill. Many influencers explain that it would be “unnatural”, and that it would be “dangerous to take”. On TikTok, for example, some users argue that the pill is “poison” because of the hormones it contains, that it “harms mental health and causes weight gain”.
The pill is a treatment that has “benefits and risks”
Questioned on the question, Dr Elisabeth Paganelli believes that the pill is a reliable treatment, which, like any treatment, has benefits and risks. “As a doctor, I believe that we are increasingly vigilant about the potential side effects of the pill. We ask patients about their possible history and that of their family circle and we prescribe more second generation pills, which are safer than third generation ones.. Before recalling that for certain pathologies, such as endometriosis, the pill remains “the first treatment”.
Beware of the risk of unwanted pregnancy!
Faced with this wave of distrust of the pill, Dr Bertrand de Rochambeau, president of the National Union of Gynecologists and Obstetricians of France (Syngof), fears an increase in unwanted pregnancies and with them, voluntary interruptions of pregnancy (abortion). “This type of false information about the pill risks pushing more and more women to abandon it, without taking another contraceptive instead. Result: the number of unwanted pregnancies and voluntary terminations of pregnancies is likely to increase further in the future. warns the doctor, who also points out the lack of gynecologists.
Generally speaking, before deciding to change your method of contraception, a medical consultation to take stock of your health is necessary and recommended.