Trending mis/disinformation: “The Side Effects of Birth Control”

This trending TikTok video is not backed by the evidence and promotes misinformation.

Misleading claims about mood and brain changes from birth control

Summary
The video discusses the mood-related side effects of hormonal birth control, claiming it alters brain function, personality, and overall mental health. As with many videos on this theme, it makes broad, sweeping generalizations—asserting that birth control “affects your brain, your personality, everything about you”—while omitting key context needed for a balanced understanding. It focuses solely on severe negative impacts without acknowledging the range of individual experiences or the positive effects many people report, including mood improvement for those with conditions like PMDD.


For more information and talking points for discussing mood changes and birth control: