Depending on what your algorithm shows you, TikTok can be a fun place to check out new trends, learn some interesting hacks, and watch funny videos. But it is important to make sure you verify the information you learn especially when it comes to sexual and reproductive health. Remember that people can use many editing tricks when making their videos and may not have all of the correct information. We are going to debunk a few trends we have seen but if you know of others we should cover, let us know on our Instagram!
IUD Self Removal:
IUD self-removal has been trending on TikTok for a little while since Mikkie Gallager created a video where she is seen removing her own IUD. While IUDs are pretty safe, easy, and pain free to remove, it is NOT recommended to remove your own IUD. IUDs are meant to be inserted and removed by a doctor or health care provider. Sometimes IUD removals can be more complicated than normal and improver IUD removal can cause unnecessary pain or other issues. It is important for a doctor to make sure the entire IUD has been properly removed. Mikkie Gallager even explains in the comments that she is not recommending that other people remove their own IUD and that she had consulted with a doctor. Remember that in California sexual and reproductive health care, including IUD insertion and removal, is FREE, confidential, and medically- accurate for everyone, including teens. If you are interested in having your IUD removed, make an appointment at a clinic near you! If you are using a method of birth control that you don’t feel is best for you or if you want to change or stop your method for any reason, that’s ok too! Even though some IUDs can last up to 12 years, it doesn’t mean you have to keep it that long. IUDs can be removed at any time. Just make sure you visit a clinic and don’t try and do it yourself.
Plan B inside Pregnancy Tests?
There are other videos going around where people are opening up at home pregnancy tests and finding a tablet that they are claiming is Plan B, or Emergency Contraception. This is incorrect for many reasons. First, the tablet inside the pregnancy test is NOT medication and should not be ingested. The tablet absorbs moisture and is part of the pregnancy test. It is also important to remember that Plan B or other emergency contraception should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex, within the first 5 days. If someone is pregnant, it will not show up on a pregnancy test for a few weeks after sex and since Plan B works to prevent pregnancy from happening in the first place, it would not work if someone is already pregnant. If someone needs Plan B or Emergency contraception, you can buy it over the counter at a pharmacy or visit a clinic.
Remember it is important to be critical of things you see on the internet. Look for information from trusted sources like TeenSource, the CDC, and your doctor or local clinic. You can also often google these trends to see what experts and doctors are saying about them and what needs to be debunked. Are there other Tiktok trends we should debunk? Let us know on our Instagram!