TikTok videos about hormonal birth control often misinform

Study: TikTok videos about hormonal birth control often misinform | Image Credit: © chathuporn – stock.adobe.com.

TikTok continues to be a go-to source of health information for millions of users, especially on sensitive or stigmatized topics like reproductive health. However, a new study suggests the platform is rife with misinformation and low-quality content when it comes to topics such as hormonal birth control.¹

At the 2025 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting, researchers presented an analysis of the top 100 TikTok videos tagged with #hormonalbirthcontrol. Using the Apify application to extract data, the team assessed each video’s tone, focus, source, and factual accuracy. They used validated scoring tools, the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) and the DISCERN tool, to evaluate understandability, actionability, and quality.

Most of the analyzed videos (n=50) were created by patients, with 43 discussing personal experiences. Of the 20 videos developed with the intent to educate, over half (55%) included misleading, inaccurate, or non-evidence-based information. Only 25% cited reliable sources or aligned with evidence-based guidelines. Among the 46 videos aimed at informing or educating about hormonal birth control, most encouraged viewers to reject its use (n=50), highlighting a trend of anti-contraception messaging on the platform.

The average PEMAT understandability score was 52%, while the actionability score was only 20%, suggesting that users were not given clear guidance on next steps. The average DISCERN score, which assesses the reliability and quality of health information, was just 32 out of a possible 80, indicating poor overall quality.

The authors concluded, “A substantial proportion of Tik-Tok videos related to hormonal birth control present misleading information and foster negative perceptions. These findings highlight the potential effect of social media on patient decision-making and the need for improved quality control of medical information shared online.”

These findings mirror those of a separate study published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, which examined the quality of TikTok videos about hysteroscopy. In this study, researchers analyzed 144 videos found using the keyword “hysteroscopy.” Eligible videos were in English (or audio-free) and focused specifically on the procedure, which is often used to diagnose and treat intracavitary uterine conditions.²

The study found that only 25.5% of the hysteroscopy videos were created by health care providers. The remaining 74.5% were produced by patients, all of whom targeted a patient-based audience. While health care professionals were more likely to provide educational content and maintain a neutral tone, patients tended to focus on personal experiences.

Just 43.8% of the videos were deemed partially accurate, and 34.7% were labeled uninformative. Non-health care providers were responsible for 51.1% of inaccurate or uninformative content, compared with just 4% among professionals.

Using the PEMAT A/V tool, the study reported an average understandability score of 42.9%, and an alarming 0% actionability score. While health care provider videos scored higher in understandability (median 60% vs 33.3%) and quality (median VIQI score of 11 vs 5), both groups demonstrated generally low reliability, with a median DISCERN score of 2 for professionals and 1 for patients.

The findings from both studies underscore an urgent need to improve the quality of health content on social platforms. “These results show that TikTok content related to hormonal birth control and hysteroscopy is not only frequently inaccurate but also difficult to understand and not actionable,” researchers concluded.

The study authors stress the importance of greater participation from clinicians and public health professionals on social media to counteract misinformation. They also advocate for platforms like TikTok to implement stronger content review processes and elevate evidence-based videos in user feeds.

As the digital landscape becomes increasingly central to patient education, both studies point to a critical takeaway: ensuring access to high-quality, understandable, and accurate health information online is essential for supporting informed reproductive health decisions.

References:

1. Cummings A, Ahmad M, Hafiz S. Exploring TikTok’s Effect on Perceptions and Misinformation Surrounding Hormonal Birth Control. Abstract. Presented at: 2025 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting. May 16-18, 2025. Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2. Krewson C. TikTok videos on hysteroscopy found lacking in quality and accuracy. Contemporary OB/GYN. January 2, 2025.. Accessed May 15, 2025.