Why women are turning against the contraceptive pill and toward fertility trackers

When first introduced in the 1960s, the pill was revolutionary for women’s reproductive autonomy and empowerment. In recent years, however, it’s become a source of distrust, as women report feeling more burdened than liberated by the potential risks. 

“Reasons To Go Off The Pill” reads the title of one video on TikTok, which has 18,000 views and lists one woman’s negative experiences, including loss of sex drive. Another shows before and after pictures of a young woman, captioned: “ur [sic] sign not to start the pill unless you wanna gain two stone”. 

Such videos highlight a broader cultural shift that’s both understandable and troubling. As frustrations over inadequate female healthcare lead women to seek solutions online, it’s also making them more susceptible to misinformation. 

“Younger women are more wary of medication in general, and social media amplifies stories about side effects such as weight gain, mood changes, or rare but serious risks like blood clots,” Ying Cheong, professor of reproductive medicine at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom, told Euronews Health. 

So, what are the facts? Is the pill actually dangerous? And what are the risks of using natural alternatives for contraception? Euronews Health spoke to some experts to find out. 

What are the different types of contraceptive pills?

Approximately one in five women use oral contraceptives in Europe, according to Statistica, with two main types available: the combined pill (often referred to as ‘the pill’) and the progestogen-only pill (also known as the ‘mini pill’). 

The combined pill contains both oestrogen and progestogen, and works by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. Modern versions of this contain much lower oestrogen doses than the early 1960s versions, said Cheong, which reduces their risk of causing blood clots. 

The progestogen-only pill has a similar mechanism, but is often given to women whocannot take oestrogen. 

Both are over 99 per cent effective, according to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), but only if taken correctly at the same time every day. They can also help with heavy periods and endometriosis, although the combined pill is more effective at improving acne and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. 

What side effects can they cause?

Both types of pill come with the risk of side effects. In the combined pill, these can be nausea, stomach aches, headaches, sore breasts, and irregular bleeding - which affects about one in five users, according to the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). 

There is no evidence that taking the combined pill makes you put on weight or changes your sex drive, the NHS states. 

Cheong also noted that there can be some rare, but more serious potential risks. These include blood clots, heart and circulation problems, and certain cancers. 

“There is a small increase in breast and cervical cancer risk while taking the [combined] pill,” Cheong explained, referencing NICE data. 

“The breast cancer risk disappears within 10 years of stopping, and the cervical risk also falls back to normal. On the other hand, the pill lowers the risk of ovarian, womb, and bowel cancers, and that protective effect can last for years after stopping”.

Why are women turning against the pill?

The advent of social media and wellness influencers has seen a surge in health-related content - especially on underresearched subjects, such as endometriosis and menopause.

“Women’s health is chronically underfunded. When hospital budgets are cut, gynaecology is usually first in line, leaving women with unacceptably long waits,” said Cheong. 

“Research has also lagged behind; despite new strategies and white papers, real investment and action are still far too slow”. 

This, along with social media misinformation, has led to a rise in the use of period-tracking apps, which help identify the points in a cycle at which women are most fertile. 

“We’ve seen a sharp rise in the use of fertility awareness-based methods, especially among Gen Z, where uptake increased by 12.4 per cent between 2022–2024,” Dr Helen O’Neill, founder of Hertility Health, a hormone and fertility testing kit for women, told Euronews Health. 

“The appeal is clear, these methods are hormone-free and avoid side effects. But there’s a significant caveat: while hormonal methods are 91–99 per cent effective, natural methods can carry up to a 24 per cent chance of pregnancy, particularly if not followed rigorously,” she added. 

Earlier this year, a study found that a growing number of abortion patients had used period-tracking methods. While a useful alternative for women looking to avoid hormones and better understand their cycles, prediction-based algorithms are ultimately less reliable as contraception, Cheong explained.  

“The pill has risks, but they are small compared with the health and social risks of unintended pregnancy,” said Cheong. 

“It remains one of the safest, most effective, and empowering options we have. What’s needed is not rejection, but more research, more investment, and more choice, including for men. 

Today, we may be seeing women challenge the pill, not because it is ineffective, but because, despite its low risk and high effectiveness, it no longer feels acceptable without better alternatives,” she added.