YouTube and the Implementation and Discontinuation of the Oral Contraceptive Pill: A Mixed-Method Content Analysis
May 2024
in “
PLoS ONE
”
Studysummary In this study, content analysis of German YouTube videos revealed that women frequently experience both positive and negative symptoms related to oral contraceptive use and discontinuation, with bodily sensations often influencing their decisions to start or stop the pill. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
This study analyzed 175 German YouTube videos from 158 women discussing their experiences with oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). It found that common side effects during use included mood swings, weight gain, and headaches, while discontinuation often led to facial skin impurities, hair loss, and weight loss. Despite these symptoms, 87 out of 91 women rated their discontinuation experience positively, feeling more in tune with their bodies. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding personal experiences with OCPs and suggests further research beyond YouTube to gain a comprehensive understanding of method discontinuation.
