Breaking the Myths: How Social Media is Transforming Women’s Health Choices 

By Esther Alaribe  

Cultural beliefs in Nigeria have historically stifled open discussions on women’s health, leaving many women without access to accurate information. Social media is breaking this silence, empowering women to learn and share health knowledge. A United Nations Population Fund report reveals that 77% of pregnancies in low- and middle-income countries are unintended, often due to limited access to contraceptive methods. In Nigeria, where healthcare access is often restricted, many women face similar barriers as the National Population Commission reveals that 23% of girls aged 15-19 years have started bearing children, underscoring the urgent need for access to accurate reproductive health information. 

Image depicting menstrual health 

Social media platforms are emerging as powerful tools for breaking barriers and empowering women to make informed health decisions. In 2024, Nigerians ranked fifth globally for daily social media usage. According to figures from Cable.co.uk and We Are Social, platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (now X), and TikTok have evolved beyond socializing, becoming crucial channels for education and advocacy. A new generation of advocates are rewriting the narrative on women’s health by leveraging social media’s reach, medical professionals, health influencers, and everyday women are using these platforms to share personal stories and provide vital health information. 

A recent survey by Women Radio 91.7fm found that 70% of women encountered content that helped debunk health myths indicating a strong engagement with accurate information, while 37% seek out health content daily and 38% weekly, 92% agree that access to reliable medical content is “very important”. Notably, 78% of women found online content “very helpful” for understanding reproductive health.

Graphic representation of the survey  

Aisha Mohammed, 22, like many women, grew up with limited access to reproductive health information. She credits social media with transforming her understanding of health issues, from menstrual cycles to family planning.  

“In school, we were only taught that periods occur monthly.” Even during secondary school biology lessons, detailed explanations about menstrual cycles were rare. “I didn’t understand why periods happen until a teacher with a medical background briefly explained it,” Aisha recalls.  

Through platforms like Instagram and TikTok, Aisha discovered how different phases of the menstrual cycle could influence energy levels, strength, and immune responses. Short videos and guides taught her practices that improved her well-being, such as tailored workouts and dietary changes.  

“I’ve seen reviews and personal stories from women who shared their experiences with various birth control methods,” she says, emphasizing that social media deepened her awareness of family planning.  

Growing up, Aisha, like many women, was subjected to stories that framed safe abortion as an impossible option, linked with dire consequences such as permanent damage to the womb. These myths, perpetuated through childhood warnings and film portrayals, shaped her beliefs until she discovered content online that contradicted them.  

Darling, 27 says “I use social media a lot and one of my favourite topics to follow online is women’s health. Following this topic online has taught me so much, “There are several things I did not know before I began to use social media actively, I watch Instagram videos and watch YouTube documentaries. It’s a classroom on its own.” 

Darling highlights myths she once believed, enduring menstrual cramps without medication. “Online, I discovered remedies like ginger tea, raspberry tea, and the use of a period belt, which have made my periods less painful.” Through social media, Darling learnt about the phases of the menstrual cycle and how adjusting her diet and exercise could improve her health. ` 

Image depicting social media icons on a mobile phone 

Oge, 22, expresses her strong support for promoting such content that enhances understanding of women’s health. She believes that such resources are crucial in helping individuals recognize they are not alone in their struggles.  

“There is nothing as beautiful as knowing that you are not alone out there and that there’s someone that can understand your pain or help you understand yourself better than you can even explain to yourself.” Oge calls for more research and the wider dissemination of health content to reach more people and improve lives, especially for those who lack access to valuable information. 

Oge, Aisha, and Darling’s personal stories reflect the widespread struggle many women face in accessing accurate health information, a gap that Dr. Kelechi Okoro, also known as healthertainer on IG and X, a sexual and reproductive health advocate address by creating engaging content that educates women on crucial health topics. 

A snapshot of Dr Okoro’s IG Page 

 “Women’s health is often overlooked, and it’s not just about being ignored, there’s a lot of religious, moral, and cultural restrictions surrounding topics like periods, menopause, and sexual and reproductive health”. 

Drawing on her experience as a medical doctor and health advocate, Dr Okoro noted that she is committed to creating platforms that break these barriers because many women like Oge, Aisha, and Darling lack access to reliable, accurate and empathetic health resources. 

“Women often rely on informal health advice passed down through generations – from mother to daughter, from sister to sister, or from the most experienced woman in the community. This pyramid of informal knowledge perpetuates misinformation.” To tackle this, she started creating medical content online on brain health and sexual and reproductive health with 196,000 followers on Instagram with women forming 65.3% as she educates women on safe sex practices, family planning, HIV, STIs, cervical cancer and more reaching 300,000 women through shared posts.  

A visual representation of Dr. Okoro’s IG page engagement based on gender 

Women Radio 91.7 spoke to Oluwapelumi Alesinloye King, a sexual and reproductive health consultant who noted that, “There was a time not too long ago when options for accessing this kind of knowledge were few and often depended on traditional, face-to-face methods. Hospitals and health centres were the primary places where women could read posters on the walls detailing contraceptive methods or steps for family planning. 

This reliance on traditional methods meant that obtaining reliable, up-to-date reproductive health information could be cumbersome, time-consuming, and dependent on physical visits,” said Alesinloye King. 

An AI-generated image of young women with mobile phones.   

“Everything changed when digital technology and social media began dominating daily life, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world shut down, social media opened up, transforming from a space for photos and chats to lifelines for connection and critical information sources. Amid isolation, digital networks expanded their reach, and women turned to their phones not just for interaction, but for empowerment and education.  

“Online, women found explainer videos on contraceptives, live Q&A sessions with health experts, and open discussions on taboo topics like sexual pleasure and safe abortions. Recently, we’ve hosted sessions on Twitter (now X) tackling these issues, creating unprecedented spaces for free speech and inclusive dialogue. Beyond social media, my podcast, *Talk Sex with Sugar* also breaks taboos and sparks meaningful conversations.  

“Through these digital channels, we’ve opened doors for women to discuss topics often buried in stigma. I’ve seen countless moments where women realize, ‘Oh, this happens to me too, or, ‘I thought this was normal, but it’s not’. Navigating the vast sea of online health information can be overwhelming, especially for women seeking reliable guidance.   

Misinformation, often shaped by harmful stereotypes and biases, is everywhere. ‘Women must ensure they’re getting information from reputable sources, turning to trusted, niche influencers who are recognized authorities in their fields,’ explained Alesinloye King, a sexual and reproductive health consultant.”   

“I work with a network of women and medical professionals specializing in women’s health, sharing evidence-based information and guiding others to these trusted experts for deeper insights and reliable content. In a world driven by the rush to trend, finding credible sources has never been more critical.” 

In her advocacy for women’s health, Dr. Kelechi Okoro is not only tackling crucial issues surrounding sexual and reproductive health but also the practical challenges that come with being a digital health creator in Nigeria. She reflects on the struggles impacting her work: “Challenges? Plenty. Internet downtime is a huge problem. When I need to create content or go live on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, the internet can be very unstable in Nigeria. On top of that, data providers overcharge. As a content creator, I spend at least 50,000 Naira monthly on data, funding my MiFi and mobile phone and sometimes even using multiple providers to stay connected. It’s very expensive, with little value for the money.”   

Nigeria’s electricity issues compound the challenges. “When I need to go live and there’s no power, I rely on a generator. Without fuel, everything grinds to a halt. It delays content production and audience engagement. Still, I push through these setbacks to serve those who need this information.”   

Dr. Okoro also highlighted the influence of cultural and religious biases on her work. “Religion and cultural norms often lead people to dismiss crucial information, topics like periods, menopause, or reproductive health remain taboo, even among educated urban populations, I still face backlash when discussing sensitive subjects like contraception or sterilization. For example, I advocate for vasectomy as a reversible and less invasive option for men. But when I bring it up, some women question why men should play a role in contraception decisions.” 

She addresses the controversial topic of abortion, stating, “I advocate for safe abortions. The issue isn’t abortion itself but the dangers of unsafe procedures. Legal, safe abortions could save lives. However, Nigeria’s legal restrictions on abortion are complex. Many believe women should have the right to decide what happens to their bodies, especially in cases of rape or incest. These are conversations people often avoid, but they’re vital”. 

Despite challenges, advocates are making progress as women engage with their content online, share it with friends, and spark community conversations. “Interacting with Alesinloye King’s content makes topics easy to understand with actionable points,” said 28-year-old Sana, a consumer of women’s health content”. “However, platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn sometimes restrict words in women’s health content, limiting its reach. Also, even with accurate information, health worker bias can be stigmatizing. Some health workers unintentionally make one feel terrible as a woman when speaking of contraceptives, that you’d rather not use them. ”  

These contents empower men, relatives, and women’s rights supporters to better assist women by sharing accurate information on issues like PCOS, a condition often misunderstood. Dr. Okoro’s audience includes 34.6% male followers, showcasing thousands of men actively engaging with her content, an encouraging sign of growing awareness and allyship. 

“I remember sometime in 2024 when Dr. Kelechi uploaded an IG Reel about things you shouldn’t do to the female reproductive organ,” said Micheal, 31. “She mentioned douching as one of them, and I shared that video with my partner at the time”. With my microbiology knowledge and background, I was able to throw more insight and explain how douching affects the microflora in that area, giving room for other infections like yeast infections and even leading to an offensive smell. She took Dr. Kelechi’s advice and hopefully, she still applies it. It was a very productive conversation, and I hope it made a lasting impact”. 

Bridging the digital divide is critical for empowering women with accurate health information. Policymakers must prioritize equitable access to the internet and smartphones. There is a need for donors and humanitarian organizations to invest in digital creators tackling harmful health myths and providing credible, life-changing resources. 

This story was produced by Women Radio in partnership with Nigeria Health Watch through the Solution Journalism Network