The Quickie: Birth Control Misinformation Is on the Rise

Welcome to “The Quickie” — Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s daily tipsheet on the top health care & reproductive rights stories of the day. You can read “The Quickie'' online here.

In today’s Quickie: Birth control misinformation is on the rise, businesses show support for reproductive health care, government funding bill protects sexual and reproductive health programs, and PP Action PACT NC calls out gubernatorial nominee.

BIRTH CONTROL MISINFORMATION IS ON THE RISE: Social media is being flooded with misinformation — and disinformation — about hormonal birth control, largely targeting teens and women in their early 20s. Providers say that anecdotally, more women have stopped birth control due to concerns about safety and side effects. Michael Belmonte, an OBGYN and family planning expert with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) noted that he’s seen more patients for abortion care who have fallen prey to birth control misinformation. So we’re here to set the record straight.

Hormonal birth control is highly safe and effective. When used properly, options like the birth control implant, IUDs, and the pill are 99% effective. To account for human nature, the real-world effectiveness of some of these methods is slightly lower.

Yes, as with all medications, side effects may happen — most commonly nausea, headaches, breast tenderness, and bleeding between periods. While there’s no definitive research that suggests hormonal birth control causes weight gain or depression, each person and body is different. Working with a health provider to find what works best for you helps mitigate side effects a person may experience. 

In a post-Dobbs landscape, medical professionals are concerned about a rise in unplanned pregnancies. Patients must be equipped with the right information to make the best decisions about their lives and futures.

Read more from the Washington Post here and here.

 

BUSINESSES SHOW SUPPORT FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE IN NEW BILLBOARD: This week, the Don’t Ban Equality coalition led businesses and companies across industries in a massive billboard display on 54th and Broadway in New York City to show support for reproductive health care access. Don’t Ban Equality is a network of over a thousand U.S. and global businesses, both public and private, that believe reproductive health care and abortion access are important for the workforce, businesses, and economy to thrive. Restrictions on reproductive health care, including abortion, undermine equality and inclusivity in the workplace and hinder businesses’ ability to recruit and retain a diverse, productive workforce. Companies committed to Don’t Ban Equality believe a worker’s right to make decisions about their health should be protected and care should be accessible.

See more about Don’t Ban Equality here.

 

GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL REJECTS ATTACKS ON CRITICAL SEXUAL AND REPRO HEALTH PROGRAMS: Yesterday, Congress released its final spending package for fiscal year 2024. While far more funding is urgently needed to fully support sexual and reproductive health care, Congressional champions successfully fought to protect existing funding for key programs including Title X and international family planning programs, and reject anti-abortion politicians' efforts to “defund” Planned Parenthood and add other new policies further blocking access to sexual and reproductive health care at home and abroad. The House majority’s appropriations bills were packed with new provisions attacking abortion, gender-affirming care, and birth control that were eliminated from the final package.  Planned Parenthood will continue working with champions in Congress to ensure sexual and reproductive health care programs are fully funded and finally end harmful anti-abortion policies like the Hyde, Helms, and Weldon amendments. 

 

ICYMI: PP ACTION PACT NC RESPONDS TO RESURFACED MARK ROBINSON COMMENTS: This week, comments from North Carolina Lt. Gov and 2024 gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson where he disparaged Planned Parenthood resurfaced. Robinson’s past remarks are in line with his current campaign promises to roll back reproductive rights.

Emily Thompson, spokesperson for Planned Parenthood Action PAC NC, issued the following statement in response to Robinson’s comments: 

“Mark Robinson is a disgrace. Nearly every day we unearth another demeaning, insulting, and outrageous comment from his past — and another reason why he is grossly unfit for elected office. From abortion access to LGBTQ+ rights, Mark Robinson has built his public profile by spewing hate, lies, and disinformation. He has an undeniable record of radical positions and has made it clear where he stands on issues. Make no mistake — this is how he will lead from the governor’s office. His policies are a direct threat to North Carolinians’ health and safety. As he has said himself: He will ban abortion and turn back the clock on all our rights. Abortion is on the ballot in North Carolina and Planned Parenthood Action PAC NC will do everything possible to make sure Mark Robinson never makes it to the governor’s office.”

Read more in The Washington Post