Case study 2 - Myths, side effects and contraception
Conversations about contraception with healthcare professionals can sometimes leave women feeling unheard, unsupported, and judged—particularly when they express concerns about side effects, hormonal changes, or share personal beliefs and experiences. Cultural and religious beliefs, as well as conversations within a community, often shape how contraception is viewed and understood. These discussions can perpetuate what are commonly labelled as "myths," but these should not be dismissed. What may be called a myth is often rooted in someone’s lived experience – for example, a distressing side effect or a difficult interaction during a contraceptive appointment. These narratives reflect genuine concerns and should be met with empathy and understanding.
Tsungi's story
Tsungi, a migrant woman with a physical disability, initially held negative views on contraception, especially the pill and implant. Having lived with both polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) for over six years, which impacted her daily life, university, and work, she decided to research the coil.
As a Zimbabwean, Tsungi highlighted the popularity of using social media communities to share healthcare experiences, especially for contraception, within her culture. She believes these social media communities shaped her own beliefs about hormonal methods, which she initially avoided. Now working in sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS) herself, Tsungi has been able to access evidence-backed information on the full range of contraceptive methods. Tsungi felt if it wasn’t for this, she might had continued thinking negatively towards contraception, and continued listened to myths or online experiences.
Tsungi had a bad experience when accessing contraception at her GP clinic, where she felt her GP dismissed her concerns of weight gain as a potential side effect of contraception as unimportant, and did not take her HMB into consideration when recommending methods of contraception, only addressing her need to prevent pregnancy. In addition, Tsungi had to repeatedly remind the GP that she required a ground floor room due to her wheelchair.
Tsungi had a more positive experience accessing contraception at a local SRH clinic. The clinic accommodated her physical disability, ensuring she was able access the service, and provided a chaperone. She appreciated the doctor's honesty about potential side effects, who also addressed her fears around side effects and suggested the hormonal coil, which had not been previously recommended her, to manage her HMB.
Tsungi recommends that the NHS increases ethnic minority and migrant women’s representation in its online, and in-service, information and guidance on contraception and sexual health, to help combat cultural stigma-based myths and misinformation.