Exploring Language Used in Posts on r/birthcontrol: Case Study Using Data From Reddit Posts and Natural Language Processing to Advance Contraception Research.

BACKGROUND: Contraceptive choice is central to reproductive autonomy. The internet, including social networking sites like Reddit, is an important resource for people seeking contraceptive information and support. A subreddit dedicated to contraception, r/birthcontrol, provides a platform for people to post about contraception. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the use of r/birthcontrol, from the inception of the subreddit through the end of 2020. We describe the web-based community, identify distinctive interests and themes based upon the textual content of posts, and explore the content of posts with the most user engagement (ie, "popular" posts). METHODS: Data were obtained from the PushShift Reddit application programming interface from the establishment of r/birthcontrol to the start date of analysis (July 21, 2011, to December 31, 2020). User interactions within the subreddit were analyzed to describe community use over time, specifically the commonality of use based on the volume of posts, the length of posts (character count), and the proportion of posts with any and each flair applied. "Popular" posts on r/birthcontrol were determined based on the number of comments and "scores," or upvotes minus downvotes; popular posts had 9 comments and a score of ≥3. Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF) analyses were run on all posts with flairs applied, posts within each flair group, and popular posts within each flair group to characterize and compare the distinctive language used in each group. RESULTS: There were 105,485 posts to r/birthcontrol during the study period, with the volume of posts increasing over time. Within the time frame for which flairs were available on r/birthcontrol (after February 4, 2016), users applied flairs to 78% (n=73,426) of posts. Most posts contained exclusively textual content (n=66,071, 96%), had comments (n=59,189, 86%), and had a score (n=66,071, 96%). Posts averaged 731 characters in length (median 555). "SideEffects!?" was the most frequently used flair overall (n=27,530, 40%), while "Experience" (n=719, 31%) and "SideEffects!?" (n=672, 29%) were most common among popular posts. TF-IDF analyses of all posts showed interest in contraceptive methods, menstrual experiences, timing, feelings, and unprotected sex. While TF-IDF results for posts with each flair varied, the contraceptive pill, menstrual experiences, and timing were discussed across flair groups. Among popular posts, intrauterine devices and contraceptive use experiences were often discussed. CONCLUSIONS: People commonly wrote about contraceptive side effects and experiences using methods, highlighting the value of r/birthcontrol as a space to post about aspects of contraceptive use that are not well addressed by clinical contraceptive counseling. The value of real-time, open-access data on contraceptive users' interests is especially high given the shifting landscape of and increasing constraints on reproductive health care in the United States.

Anemic Women are More at Risk of Injectable Contraceptive Discontinuation due to Side Effects in Ethiopia.

This paper investigates the importance of women's physiological condition, alongside sociocultural factors, for predicting the risk of discontinuation of the injectable contraceptive due to side effects in Ethiopia. Contraceptive calendar data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey were analyzed. Women aged 15-49 who had initiated the injectable contraceptive in the last two years were included in the analysis (n = 1,513). Physiological factors investigated were body mass, iron status, reproductive depletion, and physical strain. After checking for reverse causality, associations between physiological and sociocultural risk factors and discontinuation due to side effects (DSE) or discontinuation due to other reasons (DOR) were estimated using multivariate Cox proportional regression analyses. Anemia status was associated with DSE, but not DOR. Anemic women were two times more at risk of DSE compared with nonanemic women (adjusted hazard ratios [aHR] = 2.38, confidence interval [CI] = 1.41-4.00). DOR was predicted by religion, wealth, and relationship status. Accounting for diversity in physiological condition is key for understanding contraceptive discontinuation due to side effects. To reduce side effects, family planning programs might benefit from providing hormonal contraception within an integrated package addressing anemia.

A qualitative exploration of contraceptive use and discontinuation among women with an unmet need for modern contraception in Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Addressing the unmet need for modern contraception underpins the goal of all family planning and contraception programs. Contraceptive discontinuation among those in need of a method hinders the attainment of the fertility desires of women, which may result in unintended pregnancies. This paper presents experiences of contraceptive use, reasons for discontinuation, and future intentions to use modern contraceptives. METHODS: Qualitative data were collected in two rural counties in Kenya in 2019 from women with unmet need for contraception who were former modern contraceptive users. Additional data was collected from male partners of some of the women interviewed. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions explored previous experience with contraceptive use, reasons for discontinuation, and future intentionality to use. Following data collection, digitally recorded data were transcribed verbatim, translated, and coded using thematic analysis through an inductive approach. RESULTS: Use of modern contraception to prevent pregnancy and plan for family size was a strong motivator for uptake of contraceptives. The contraceptive methods used were mainly sourced from public health facilities though adolescents got them from the private sector. Reasons for discontinued use included side effects, method failure, peer influence, gender-based violence due to covert use of contraceptives, and failure within the health system. Five reasons were provided for those not willing to use in the future: fear of side effects, cost of contraceptive services, family conflicts over the use of modern contraceptives, reduced need, and a shift to traditional methods. CONCLUSION: This study expands the literature by examining reasons for contraceptive discontinuation and future intentionality to use among women in need of contraception. The results underscore the need for family planning interventions that incorporate quality of care in service provision to address contraceptive discontinuation. Engaging men and other social influencers in family planning programs and services will help garner support for contraception, rather than focusing exclusively on women. The results of this study can inform implementation of family planning programs in Kenya and beyond to ensure they address the concerns of former modern contraception users.

Association between experience of specific side-effects and contraceptive switching and discontinuation in Uganda: results from a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: There is substantial evidence that contraceptive side-effects are a major deterrent to consistent use of contraception but few studies in low- or middle-income countries explore the role of specific side-effects on contraceptive use dynamics. This study used population-based, longitudinal data to explore the effect of specific side-effects on contraceptive continuation, discontinuation, and switching in Uganda. METHODS: Data for this study come from two rounds of survey data collection in Uganda: PMA2020's sixth cross-sectional survey and a follow-up survey conducted 1 year later. The main outcomes of interest were discontinuation and switching among users of hormonal contraceptive methods (implants, injectables and oral pill) and the IUD at baseline (n = 560). Multivariable logistic regressions assessed the association of experiencing specific side-effects (more bleeding, less bleeding, irregular bleeding, increased dryness/reduced libido, and physical discomfort) with discontinuation and switching 1 year later, adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, type of method, and length of use. We also examined the differential effects of side-effects between discontinuation and switching risks. RESULTS: About 23% of hormonal and IUD contraceptive users reported experiencing side-effects at baseline survey. Overall, discontinuation and switching were higher among injectables and pill users, compared to IUD and implants users. Reporting more bleeding or less bleeding increased the odds of discontinuation and switching by 2.74 (95% CI 1.00-7.51) and 1.86 (1.04-3.34), respectively. There was no significant difference in discontinuation and switching by side-effects. CONCLUSIONS: Greater attention should be paid to understanding the unique contributions of side-effects to contraceptive behavior using population-based data. While about a quarter of women reported experiencing side effects, those who experienced bleeding specific side effects were at higher risk of contraceptive discontinuation and switching. Providing greater individualized care that includes information and counseling about common side-effects, how they may impact daily life, and how tolerable these effects may be is necessary.

Research has shown that experiencing side-effects is related to stopping use of contraception, even when women wish to avoid pregnancy. Most research, however, does not differentiate between distinct side-effects, such as increased bleeding or changes to sexual experience, and instead combined all into "side-effects or health concerns". We used data from 560 women in Uganda, who were interviewed twice, 1 year apart, to see if women who reported different side-effects at the first interview were more likely to stop using contraception or switch to a different contraceptive method than women who did not report experiencing side-effects. We found that increased or decreased menstrual bleeding was associated with a higher odds of contraceptive discontinuation and switching, Contraceptive discontinuation or switching was not different by women's reporting of vaginal dryness/reduced libido or physical discomfort, such as cramping. It is important to understand what side-effects are likely to motivate stopping or switching contraception so that education and counseling can inform women of side-effects they may experience, help them choose the best method based on what side-effects they deem important, and if necessary, aid in switching contraceptive methods.

No Perfect Method: Exploring How Past Contraceptive Methods Influence Current Attitudes Toward Intrauterine Devices.

Little research on contraceptive decision-making takes a holistic perspective to understand women's contraceptive journeys throughout the reproductive life course. This analysis investigated how Black and Latina women's past experiences with contraceptive use and acquisition impact their feelings and attitudes toward future use of intrauterine devices (IUDs). We utilized data from in-depth interviews that explored contraceptive decision-making and knowledge of, interest in, and attitudes toward IUDs among 38 young Black and Latina women collected in 2013 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Here, we focused on the IUD decision-making process among a subsample of 32 women who were not using or had not previously used an IUD. Overall, we found a strong link between past contraceptive experiences and attitudes regarding future use of IUDs. Notably, participants often referenced experiences of side effects with previous methods when explaining their interest-or lack thereof-in IUD use, as well as made links between contraceptive attributes they had experienced positively and attributes of the IUD. A minority of participants described being satisfied with their current method, resulting in a lack of interest in considering IUD use. More than half of participants described distrust, either in healthcare providers owing to previous negative interactions and contraceptive failures of provider-recommended methods or owing to family members' and friends' negative experiences with IUDs. This distrust undergirded their lack of interest in the IUD. These findings highlight the importance of locating contraceptive decision-making in the broader context of reproductive journeys.

Contraceptive knowledge, perceptions, and concerns among men in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Low contraceptive uptake and high unmet need for contraception remain significant issues in Uganda compared to neighboring countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, and Rwanda. Although prior research on contraceptive uptake has indicated that male partners strongly influence women's decisions around contraceptive use, there is limited in-depth qualitative research on knowledge and concerns regarding modern contraceptive methods among Ugandan men. METHODS: Using in-depth interviews (N = 41), this qualitative study investigated major sources of knowledge about contraception and perceptions of contraceptive side effects among married Ugandan men. RESULTS: Men primarily reported knowledge of contraceptives based on partner's experience of side effects, partner's knowledge from health providers and mass media campaigns, and partner's knowledge from her peers. Men were less likely to report contraceptive knowledge from health care providers, mass media campaigns, or peers. Men's concerns about various contraceptive methods were broadly associated with failure of the method to work properly, adverse health effects on women, and severe adverse health effects on children. Own or partner's human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status did not impact on contraceptive knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, we found limited accurate knowledge about contraceptive methods among men in Uganda. Moreover, fears about the side effects of modern contraceptive methods appeared to be common among men. Family planning services in Uganda could be significantly strengthened by renewed efforts to focus on men's knowledge, fears, and misconceptions.

Progesterone-Only Contraceptive-Induced Ischemic Colitis.

Ischemic colitis (IC) occurs when there is a temporary lack of adequate blood supply to the intestines, particularly in vulnerable areas such as the splenic flexure and sigmoid colon, which lack sufficient collateral blood vessels. Although primarily seen in older individuals with atherosclerotic risk factors, IC can also be triggered by hormonal contraceptives in young women. Although estrogen-containing oral contraceptives are known to increase thromboembolic risk, the impact of progesterone is not well understood. We report a unique case of biopsy-confirmed IC in a previously healthy 30-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea 2 months after initiation of progesterone-only oral contraceptive. This occurrence, although rare, underscores the need for further research on the impact of progesterone on coagulation, especially concerning mesenteric arteries.

Contraceptive content shared on social media: an analysis of Twitter.

BACKGROUND: Information on social media may affect peoples' contraceptive decision making. We performed an exploratory analysis of contraceptive content on Twitter (recently renamed X), a popular social media platform. METHODS: We selected a random subset of 1% of publicly available, English-language tweets related to reversible, prescription contraceptive methods posted between January 2014 and December 2019. We oversampled tweets for the contraceptive patch to ensure at least 200 tweets per method. To create the codebook, we identified common themes specific to tweet content topics, tweet sources, and tweets soliciting information or providing advice. All posts were coded by two team members, and differences were adjudicated by a third reviewer. Descriptive analyses were reported with accompanying qualitative findings. RESULTS: During the study period, 457,369 tweets about reversible contraceptive methods were published, with a random sample of 4,434 tweets used for final analysis. Tweets most frequently discussed contraceptive method decision-making (26.7%) and side effects (20.5%), particularly for long-acting reversible contraceptive methods and the depot medroxyprogesterone acetate shot. Tweets about logistics of use or adherence were common for short-acting reversible contraceptives. Tweets were frequently posted by contraceptive consumers (50.6%). A small proportion of tweets explicitly requested information (6.2%) or provided advice (4.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware that individuals are exposed to information through Twitter that may affect contraceptive perceptions and decision making, particularly regarding long-acting reversible contraceptives. Social media is a valuable source for studying contraceptive beliefs missing in traditional health research and may be used by professionals to disseminate accurate contraceptive information.

Acceptance, Adherence, and Side Effects of Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate: A Prospective Observational Study.

Introduction In India, one of the world's most populous and swiftly growing countries, it is crucial to prioritize the utilization of safe and effective contraception, as contraceptive strategies play a pivotal role in bolstering community health. It is widely acknowledged that ensuring appropriate timing and spacing of pregnancies is crucial for the well-being of reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health. Adoption of reversible or spacing contraceptive methods can significantly enhance women's health outcomes by reducing the occurrence of undesired, closely timed, and mistimed pregnancies. Consequently, in response to the pressing need for dependable contraception in India, this study seeks to assess the acceptance, adherence, and side effects of the injectable contraceptive depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) among its users. Methods This prospective observational study was done at the State Government Taluk Hospital in the Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu from July 2022 to October 2022. A total of 40 women of reproductive age who opted for DMPA as their contraceptive method and met the inclusion criteria were recruited through a purposive sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Results The majority of the participants were women aged 21-25 years (n=14; 35%). The participants were predominantly Hindu (n=39; 97.5%), and 35 (87.5%) had completed higher secondary education. All participants (n=40; 100%) resided in rural areas and the majority were homemakers. A significant proportion of the participants had two children (n=21; 52.5%), and all of them received information on DMPA primarily from health personnel. At the initial point of data collection, three-fourths of them took the first dose (n=13; 32.5%) and only a few took more than three doses (n=3; 7.5%). In the third month, the results showed a drop in DMPA use, which indicates a lower adherence particularly linked to side effects like irregular bleeding (n=15; 37.5%) and amenorrhea (n=9; 22.5%). Furthermore, 35 (87.5%) of the women chose DMPA for birth spacing due to its efficacy and convenience, with few initiating it during postpartum (n=4; 10%) and post-abortal (n=1; 2.5%) periods. The reasons for continuing DMPA use included efficacy (n=20; 50%), discreet usage (n=15; 37.5%), and curiosity (n=13; 32.5%). Half of the participants reported no side effects. The study identified associations between DMPA users and the number of living children and occupational status inferring that DMPA contraception is used for spacing births. Conclusion The results of this study imply that the use and adherence to injectable contraceptive DMPA need to be strengthened among rural women. Thus, the study suggests incorporating information, education, and communication strategies, to enhance awareness among rural women about injectable contraceptives.

Measuring experiences and concerns surrounding contraceptive induced side-effects in a nationally representative sample of contraceptive users: Evidence from PMA Ethiopia.

Objective: Our objectives were to assess the prevalence of specific side-effects experienced by current and recent contraceptive users, describe patterns of side-effects that users were concerned about, and share measurement lessons learned. Study design: Data come from the PMA Ethiopia 2019 nationally-representative, cross-sectional survey. Our analytic sample included women who were current (weighted n = 2190; unweighted n = 2020) or recent (past 24 months; weighted n = 627; unweighted n = 622) users of a hormonal method or IUD. We provide descriptive statistics of the percentage of current/recent users who report currently/ever experiencing specific side-effects, not experiencing but being concerned about experiencing specific side-effects, and both currently experiencing and being concerned about experiencing specific side-effects. All analyses are stratified by method type (implant, injectable, pill) to explore variation by method. Results: Among current users, 648/2190 women (30%) reported experiencing any side-effect, while 252/644 (40%) of recent users reported ever experiencing any side-effect. Bleeding changes were reported most frequently and were higher among implant and injectable users. More recent users reported side-effects that were associated with physical discomfort, such as headaches, than current users. About one-third of current and recent users reported being concerned about at least one side-effect that they had not experienced, with about 15% of current and recent users reporting concerns about bleeding changes (307/2190 and 112/627, respectively) and concerns about physical discomfort (334/2019 and 98/627, respectively). Conclusions: While bleeding changes are common, users report a range of side-effects related to physical discomfort underscoring the need for comprehensive counseling. We highlight challenges in measuring side-effects using quantitative tools and pose recommendations for future research and measurement efforts. Implications: : Experiencing and fearing contraceptive-induced menstrual bleeding changes and physical discomfort, particularly headaches, is high among hormonal contraceptive and IUD users in Ethiopia. counseling that addresses an array of side-effects is needed. Additional research is also needed to disentangle the effect of experiencing versus fearing side-effects on contraceptive use.

Cultural change beyond adoption dynamics: Evolutionary approaches to the discontinuation of contraception.

Numerous evolutionary mechanisms have been proposed for the origins, spread and maintenance of low fertility. Such scholarship has focused on explaining the adoption of fertility-reducing behaviour, especially the use of contraceptive methods. However, this work has yet to engage fully with the dynamics of contraceptive behaviour at the individual level. Here we highlight the importance of considering not just adoption but also discontinuation for understanding contraceptive dynamics and their impact on fertility. We start by introducing contemporary evolutionary approaches to understanding fertility regulation behaviours, discussing the potential for integrating behavioural ecology and cultural evolution frameworks. Second, we draw on family planning studies to highlight the importance of contraceptive discontinuation owing to side-effects for understanding fertility rates and suggest evolutionary hypotheses for explaining patterns of variation in discontinuation rates. Third, we sketch a framework for considering how individual flexibility in contraceptive behaviour might impact the evolution of contraceptive strategies and the demographic transition. We argue that integrating public health and evolutionary approaches to reproductive behaviour might advance both fields by providing (a) a predictive framework for comparing the effectiveness of various public health strategies and (b) a more realistic picture of behaviour by considering contraceptive dynamics at the individual level more explicitly when modelling the cultural evolution of low fertility.