wow I'm awkwardly early but this all resonated so much with me. My book club read a whole book (This is Your Brain on Birth Control, by Dr. Sarah Hill) and, despite citing many studies and explaining things in layman's terms, my friends and I concluded that when it comes to hormonal birth control, "it depends." There's just so much unknown, and I turn to Reddit and TikTok so often--in addition to asking my doctors (but appointments are hard to get and you're right, I often trust others' personal experiences more than a doctor's seemingly quick checklist). Thank you for writing this!!
I think sharing/talking with friends is a good thing! It's just when it gets too extreme--I didn't read that book but came across a lot of Dr. Hill being quoted in articles, as well as Dr. Jolene Brighten who is big in this space. Her book (Beyond the Pill) was interesting, but was also was promoting her supplements approximately every 10 pages. And it's not necessarily malicious, but for example she wrote paragraphs about research that found the pill increases breast cancer risk. But didn't mention research that it *decreases* the risk for uterine, endometrial, ovarian, and colorectal cancers. There's so much selectivity bias, because of course! That's why I think lots broad conversations and broad sources of information helps reduce the likelihood of getting too narrow on one, potentially extreme angle.
Appreciate you sharing this! I'm curious if the MAHA movement will cause the medical community to take patient concerns more seriously--I thought Dr. Aftab's op-ed about anti-depressants was a good example of what that can look like: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/03/opinion/antidepressants-withdrawal-rfk.html
This resonates so much with me, Sophia, especially those moments when something unexpected happens and you later find out that you weren’t given all the information you needed from your doctor. I was recently diagnosed late with hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) after switching doctors - and most of the minor-to-major health problems I’ve had over the years align with that diagnosis. Why was that never caught by my other doctors? I feel like I’m playing catchup now, trying to piece together my own medical history. I’m checking my bloodwork reports now and learning to ask for certain tests. But I wish I didn’t feel like I needed to. That trust I used to have that my doctors would alert me to anything problematic has been shaken, and I’m figuring out how to research without convincing myself I’ve got cancer every five minutes. Your advice is so sound, though. Great article and I feel seen ❤️
Thanks Amy! You put this feeling so well--it feels just like what I experienced when my medications interacted, especially when the clues are right on your charts. Right, you shouldn't feel the need to become a sort of detective in your own medical care, because we're *not* the experts. I think that's what contributes to the cycle of mistrust and sometimes, misinformation.
Ha, and the "Web MD says you have cancer" rabbit hole is so real! Appreciate you reading and sharing
“A history of prioritizing reproductive ability over personal preferences” really resonates. The first neurologist I saw after my epilepsy diagnosis would only consider prescribing me the two anti-convulsants (of several options) determined to be lowest-risk for causing birth defects when taken during pregnancy. I’d expressed that I had no plans to become pregnant in the near (or even distant!) future, but he was insistent.
I’ve since moved states and begun seeing another neurologist, who has shown me studies and estimates of the risks associated with each of my options. She said my medication route was ultimately my choice and provided other ways to minimize risk of birth defects that my previous doctor hadn’t mentioned. As a social scientist myself, having a doctor who was willing to show me the data and have a conversation around it felt empowering — I appreciate having the chance to play a more active, collaborative role in my own medical care.
wow I'm awkwardly early but this all resonated so much with me. My book club read a whole book (This is Your Brain on Birth Control, by Dr. Sarah Hill) and, despite citing many studies and explaining things in layman's terms, my friends and I concluded that when it comes to hormonal birth control, "it depends." There's just so much unknown, and I turn to Reddit and TikTok so often--in addition to asking my doctors (but appointments are hard to get and you're right, I often trust others' personal experiences more than a doctor's seemingly quick checklist). Thank you for writing this!!
I think sharing/talking with friends is a good thing! It's just when it gets too extreme--I didn't read that book but came across a lot of Dr. Hill being quoted in articles, as well as Dr. Jolene Brighten who is big in this space. Her book (Beyond the Pill) was interesting, but was also was promoting her supplements approximately every 10 pages. And it's not necessarily malicious, but for example she wrote paragraphs about research that found the pill increases breast cancer risk. But didn't mention research that it *decreases* the risk for uterine, endometrial, ovarian, and colorectal cancers. There's so much selectivity bias, because of course! That's why I think lots broad conversations and broad sources of information helps reduce the likelihood of getting too narrow on one, potentially extreme angle.
Appreciate you sharing this! I'm curious if the MAHA movement will cause the medical community to take patient concerns more seriously--I thought Dr. Aftab's op-ed about anti-depressants was a good example of what that can look like: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/03/opinion/antidepressants-withdrawal-rfk.html
This resonates so much with me, Sophia, especially those moments when something unexpected happens and you later find out that you weren’t given all the information you needed from your doctor. I was recently diagnosed late with hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) after switching doctors - and most of the minor-to-major health problems I’ve had over the years align with that diagnosis. Why was that never caught by my other doctors? I feel like I’m playing catchup now, trying to piece together my own medical history. I’m checking my bloodwork reports now and learning to ask for certain tests. But I wish I didn’t feel like I needed to. That trust I used to have that my doctors would alert me to anything problematic has been shaken, and I’m figuring out how to research without convincing myself I’ve got cancer every five minutes. Your advice is so sound, though. Great article and I feel seen ❤️
Thanks Amy! You put this feeling so well--it feels just like what I experienced when my medications interacted, especially when the clues are right on your charts. Right, you shouldn't feel the need to become a sort of detective in your own medical care, because we're *not* the experts. I think that's what contributes to the cycle of mistrust and sometimes, misinformation.
Ha, and the "Web MD says you have cancer" rabbit hole is so real! Appreciate you reading and sharing
“A history of prioritizing reproductive ability over personal preferences” really resonates. The first neurologist I saw after my epilepsy diagnosis would only consider prescribing me the two anti-convulsants (of several options) determined to be lowest-risk for causing birth defects when taken during pregnancy. I’d expressed that I had no plans to become pregnant in the near (or even distant!) future, but he was insistent.
I’ve since moved states and begun seeing another neurologist, who has shown me studies and estimates of the risks associated with each of my options. She said my medication route was ultimately my choice and provided other ways to minimize risk of birth defects that my previous doctor hadn’t mentioned. As a social scientist myself, having a doctor who was willing to show me the data and have a conversation around it felt empowering — I appreciate having the chance to play a more active, collaborative role in my own medical care.