Posts celebrate over-the-counter birth control pills
In other conversations, posts acknowledged the importance of menstrual product access and examined the impact of state abortion laws.
In other conversations, posts acknowledged the importance of menstrual product access and examined the impact of state abortion laws.
This past week, a Reddit thread about Opill—the first FDA-approved, over-the-counter birth control pill—generated the most conversation about reproductive health, with some comments discussing how long it takes for birth control pills to become effective at preventing pregnancy. Other posts highlighted the need for menstrual product donations after natural disasters and criticized state abortion restrictions that threaten pregnant people’s lives.
In response, public health communicators may recirculate information about how different types of birth control work, share where people can access free menstrual products, and ensure that materials outlining state abortion laws are up to date.
Insights brought to you by the reporters and science writers of Public Good News (PGN), a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to improving community health.
What’s trending nationally in reproductive health conversation:
A recent Reddit post shared that over-the-counter Opill is now available at Costco. The post received approximately 22,000 upvotes and 770 comments as of October 16. The most popular comment, which garnered approximately 4,900 upvotes, noted that Opill contains progestin only—not progestin and estrogen, like some prescription birth control pills—and that people should still talk to their health care providers to find out if Opill is right for them. Other comments correctly stated that Opill is not immediately effective, but they confused the minimum length of time to continue using condoms with Opill versus combination pills.
Recent posts on X and Reddit discussed Louisiana Senator John Kennedy’s criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris, who appeared on the podcast Call Her Daddy on October 6. During a news interview, Kennedy claimed that Harris was “talking about tampons” on the podcast. He also claimed that “the people of Appalachia right now don’t give a function about tampons. They need water,” referencing the survivors of Hurricane Helene. While Harris discussed reproductive health during her podcast interview, only the podcast host mentioned tampons. One X post sharing Kennedy’s remarks received approximately 10 million views, 10,000 likes, 3,900 reposts, and 5,100 comments as of October 16. Many comments on the post criticized Kennedy and noted that tampons are essential products during and after natural disasters. Some comments encouraged people to donate tampons and other menstrual products to hurricane survivors and local shelters.
On October 7, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal that would have required Texas hospitals to perform abortions when a pregnant person’s health or life is at risk. Texas argued that the state already allows for some exceptions to its abortion ban if a pregnant person’s life is at risk. One X post from an anti-abortion group celebrating the ruling received approximately 10,200 views, 1,200 likes, 170 reposts, and 20 comments as of October 16. Most comments expressed gratitude for “babies being saved,” but some opposed the ruling. One comment read, “And women will not be saved from life-ending pregnancy complications. How can that be celebrated? Imagine going to the ER, in pain and bleeding profusely from your vagina and no one will help. How barbaric.”
Several recent articles and social media posts discussed a cease-and desist-letter that the Florida Department of Health sent to television stations that aired ads in support of Amendment 4, which will appear on November’s ballot and would overturn the state’s six-week abortion ban if it receives enough votes. In the ad, a woman explains that doctors told her she needed to end her pregnancy to save her life after she was diagnosed with cancer and that Florida bans abortion “even in cases like mine.” The Florida Department of Health alleged that the ad contains false claims about the impact of Florida’s abortion law since abortion is legal in the state up to six weeks of pregnancy with some exceptions: when the health or life of the pregnant person is at risk, when there are lethal fetal anomalies during the first two trimesters, or when the pregnant person has become pregnant due to rape or incest. An X post sharing the cease-and-desist letter received approximately 1.7 million views, 6,000 likes, 4,000 reposts, and 440 comments as of October 16. Most comments expressed support for the ad and shared concerns about Florida’s current abortion laws. One read, “Most women don’t even know they’re pregnant in six weeks. This draconian law is a de facto full abortion ban masquerading as some sort of compassion for the mother.”
Recommendations brought to you by the health communication experts behind Infodemiology.com.
Recommendations for public health professionals
Each week, the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about reproductive health.
In light of conversations about Opill and other birth control pills, communicators may recirculate information outlining the types of birth control, how they work, and how long it takes for them to be effective at preventing pregnancy. Messaging may explain that Opill, also called a mini pill, contains only progestin and is available without a prescription, whereas combination birth control pills contain both estrogen and progestin and require a prescription. When taken daily, both types of birth control pills are very effective at preventing pregnancy; however, progestin-only pills are slightly less effective, since they do not stop ovulation.
People who begin combination pills within five days after the first day of their period will be protected from pregnancy right away. Those who start taking combination pills at any other time will be protected from pregnancy within seven days and should continue using condoms for at least a week. Progestin-only pills take effect within 48 hours, so people who start taking them should continue using condoms for at least two days. Messaging may emphasize that no form of birth control is 100 percent effective, so birth control pills work best when they are consistently used in combination with other forms of birth control, like condoms. Additionally, birth control pills do not protect against sexually transmitted infections, but condoms and other safer sex barriers do. Sharing which medications may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills and recirculating information about IUDs is recommended.
Conversations about tampons provide an opportunity to share where people can access free menstrual products. Pushing out this messaging is particularly important for community organizations, health departments, and other partners whose target populations have been impacted by recent hurricanes. Messaging may explain that menstrual products may be available for free at some food banks, diaper banks, shelters, health clinics, and schools. Those who are struggling to find free menstrual products can contact their local service directory by calling 211 or visiting 211.org.
In response to posts discussing abortion laws in Texas and Florida, communicators may update materials outlining abortion laws in those and other states. Messaging may explain your state's current abortion laws, including any exceptions, and emphasize that some states' abortion laws may delay time-sensitive medical care for pregnant people facing health complications. Explaining that it is legal to travel out of state for an abortion is recommended.