Social media has become the place to go when you want to get information, and fast. Influencers and celebrities on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and other networking sites are poised to give you their opinion on everything from designer handbags to fertility.
A study published in November 2022 confirmed that men’s health content is popular on TikTok and Instagram, but the information shared is generally not accurate.
The Rise of Misinformation
Instagram and TikTok are popular places to search for content relating to men’s health, including testosterone, erectile dysfunction and other topics relating to male fertility.
A team of scientific researchers led by Justin M Dubin found that social media has great potential to increase public access to health information. However, a significant proportion of users rely on social content instead of consulting a doctor.
As part of their study, Dubin and colleagues characterized posts by their creator type and accuracy. They found that overall, the accuracy of the content was poor. However, social media posts created by physicians were more accurate than those of non-physicians.
The researchers concluded that men’s health content is popular but inaccurate overall. As a result, they recommended that doctors should actively engage on social networking sites to address medical misinformation.
A Cautious Approach to Social Content
Social media can provide useful fertility related content. Many couples find it reassuring to see other men and women making decisions about IVF or embarking on fertility treatment. Now that infertility has become more visible online, finding relevant content on social media can make you feel that you are less alone in your fertility journey.
Information from influencers may be well-meaning, but no-one wants to discover that they have been following incorrect advice. When it comes to medical advice, take a cautious approach before considering anything you see, hear or read on social media.
One of the safer ways to use social media is to follow the accounts of fertility physicians or reproductive centers. These accounts should provide a link to the scientific evidence for any facts that they publish, helping you feel more confident in their claims.
If you enjoy following influencers or accounts with no formal medical training, make sure you perform your own fact checks of any claims made. You can do this by searching for peer-reviewed evidence, or performing a search of scholarly articles online. If it is difficult to find proof of a claim, it may be that there is limited, or no, scientific evidence to confirm it.
The Evidence for YO Sperm Home Tests
You can be reassured that there has been high quality research to confirm the accuracy of the YO Sperm Home Test.
In studies, the YO Sperm test was validated and proven accurate in comparison to an automatic laboratory analyzer. The test is FDA approved and easy to complete in the privacy of your own home. As a user, you will receive the results of your motile sperm concentration (how many sperm are moving), as well as a comparison to other men who have fathered children. Numerous doctors specializing in male fertility support the use of the YO test as a home screening tool.
Final Thoughts
Social media can support men and women who are trying to conceive, facing infertility, or undergoing fertility treatment. However, a study in 2022 showed that there is a wealth of inaccurate information presented on TikTok and Instagram, especially from non-clinical accounts. If you consume fertility-related content on social media, carry out some careful fact checking before accepting the information.
For the best fertility healthcare, always seek advice from a trained medical professional or fertility specialist.
