To Women, Girls, and Frankly Everyone: A growing health concern is impacting women: contraception and reproductive misinformation around access and care.^1,2 It comes amidst a particularly fragile time for reproductive health for women and girls in the US,³ especially for the more than 19 million women living in a contraceptive desert, according to Power to Decide, where they lack reasonable access to a health center that offers the full range of contraceptive methods.⁴

Confusion, information overload, harmful myths, and anecdotal experiences flood our screens, feeds and conversations on a daily basis, which can influence a decision-making process more than evidence-based options from a healthcare provider.^1,5 Misinformation about reproductive health, including contraceptive care, may potentially contribute to higher unplanned pregnancy rates, increased STI rates, and an overall misunderstanding of women’s contraception and broader health care options.^6,7

As a practicing board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist in Georgia, daughter, aunt, and sister, I see the distortions we experience around reproductive health and contraception constantly, and I’ve seen how detrimental this can be to women and their community. I know what we are up against — and that we can and we should educate ourselves with accurate contraceptive information, so we have the power to make informed decisions.

I’d like to propose a perspective, and it starts with you. Today, even when it may feel more difficult to make an informed decision about your health, you have the ability to ask yourself the tough questions about your contraceptive options and the information you consume–  

The source matters. Starting with a doctor or medically reviewed online sources gives each of us the best chance of understanding the wide range of contraceptive options women have and how those options may help you meet your health needs, personal goals, and prevent an unplanned pregnancy.⁵ This type of critical thinking can also be a great way to assess other sources of medical information for other health conditions.

I’ve come to expect that patients will arrive at the office – for some, the first time, and others the first time in a while – with varying experiences and information they’ve gathered from friends, public figures, television, and yes, social media. I’ve had to revise my approach to understand their fears without judgement and help them discern the difference between truth, half-truths, or plainly wrong information. This is at the heart of patient-centric counseling. As a doctor I strive to be a safe space, trusted confidant and a person who deeply cares about my patients beyond their visit. But it is more than that.

It takes all of us to be part of a support system that shares credible sources and fact-based information, so together, we can tell an accurate story of contraception, total women’s health and reproductive education, and avoid contraception and reproductive misinformation. As women, it’s our lives, and those of our daughters, nieces and friends that are impacted in addition to the lives of our families and community. As people (men, I’m, looking at you too!), we need to understand this issue affects us all. Not only may unplanned pregnancies have impacts on women, but it may also affect societal outcomes.

As the Head of Medical Affairs and Outcomes Research at Organon, I understand the importance of fact-based information that is fair, balanced and without judgement. Organon is a global healthcare company, dedicated to improving the health of women throughout their lives. It’s part of our mission to ensure quality care and access to information for women, girls, and those they love, everywhere. We know we can’t do it alone.

Let’s meet this movement head on, wading through barriers and misinformation around women’s reproductive health, by educating, inspiring, empowering, and ultimately lifting up women and girls everywhere. Doing this benefits all of us. Learn more about Organon’s contraceptive access efforts: Her Plan is Her Power.

Dr. Charlotte Owens
Head of Medical Affairs and Outcomes Research
Organon

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1. Dong Y, Zhang L, Lam C, Huang Z. Counteracting sexual and reproductive health misperceptions: Investigating the roles of stigma, misinformation exposure, and information overload. Patient Educ Couns. 2024;120:108098. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2023.108098.

2. Jonas K, Duby Z, Maruping K, Harries J, Mathews C. Rumours, myths, and misperceptions as barriers to contraceptive use among adolescent girls and young women in South Africa. Front Reprod Health. 2022;4:960089. Published 2022 Sep 15. doi:10.3389/frph.2022.960089 

3. Adler A, Biggs MA, Kaller S, Schroeder R, Ralph L. Changes in the Frequency and Type of Barriers to Reproductive Health Care Between 2017 and 2021. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(4):e237461. Published 2023 Apr 3. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.7461 

4. Power to Decide. 2024. Contraceptive Deserts. Contraceptive Deserts 2024 | Power to Decide.

5. Arnold M, Goldschmitt M, Rigotti T. Dealing with information overload: a comprehensive review. Front Psychol. 2023;14:1122200. Published 2023 Jun 21. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1122200

6. Kallner HK, Danielsson KG. Prevention of unintended pregnancy and use of contraception-important factors for preconception care. Ups J Med Sci. 2016;121(4):252-255. doi:10.1080/03009734.2016.1208310 

7. Swire-Thompson B, Lazer D. Public Health and Online Misinformation: Challenges and Recommendations. Annu Rev Public Health. 2020;41:433-451. doi:10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040119-094127