Earlier this year, Elon Musk, billionaire entrepreneur, owner of X and known supporter of US President hopeful Donald Trump, took to X to share his thoughts on birth control. "Hormonal birth control makes you fat, doubles risk of depression & triples risk of suicide. This is the clear scientific consensus, but very few people seem to know it," he said in a post that has been viewed close to 44 million times, and was liked close to 200,000 times.

Hormonal birth control makes you fat, doubles risk of depression & triples risk of suicide.

This is the clear scientific consensus, but very few people seem to know it.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 16, 2024

He also went on to share a story from 2017 which speaks of how birth control is linked to an increased risk of suicides.

This is not the first time he has echoed the stance of pro-life and anti-abortion activists in the United States, advocating for increased birth rates in developed nations and warning against the perceived dangers of hormonal birth control.

It is important that women know the effects of hormonal birth control, as it is a significant cause of depression and increases suicide risk.

This is not a value statement, just a public service announcement. Other forms of birth control do not have these effects. https://t.co/7pVnongbQI

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 17, 2024

Wow, I just searched medical research papers and it turns out that birth control meds triple the risk of suicide!!

I never heard that before you posted. https://t.co/yheVAbn2Ea

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 30, 2024

Musk's statements align with a growing concern among some conservatives about declining birth rates, which he attributes to women's access to contraception. He has been vocal about his belief that people in developed countries should have more children. This perspective resonates with pro-life advocates who argue that access to contraceptives and abortion services undermines the sanctity of life and family structures.

Population collapse due to low birth rates is a much bigger risk to civilization than global warming

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 26, 2022

Musk wields significant influence over American society and politics, particularly as the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches. With close to 200 million followers on X, Musk has transformed his profile into a powerful megaphone for his views, shaping public discourse and potentially swaying voter opinions. His endorsement of Donald Trump and engagement in political discussions have raised alarms about the implications of his actions for the electoral process and democratic integrity.

Experts warn that his posts can distort public trust in the electoral process, especially as he questions the legitimacy of elections and promotes unfounded claims. For instance, research from the Center for Countering Digital Hate indicates that Musk's misleading posts about elections have been viewed nearly 1.2 billion times without any fact-checking or moderation, raising concerns about the unchecked spread of misinformation by someone who wields the kind of power he does.

So, it is important that we take a closer look at his comments on birth control. His comments reflect a broader narrative often promoted by pro-life advocates who emphasize the negative implications of contraceptive use on women's health and well-being. However, the study cited by Musk has itself stated that further research is required for proper conclusions.

The study says "This study did not report on stage of disease at diagnosis and it is not clear to what extent the apparent increased risk may be due to a small advance in the timing of diagnosis." and "...require further investigation. The breast cancer effects described now in multiple studies wanes with time, and in the long-term HC use has been found not to be associated with any increased total cancer risk."

The claim that hormonal birth control "makes you fat" is an oversimplification. A study states "For most women, birth control pills, vaginal rings and contraceptive skin patches are very unlikely to affect their weight much."

As for if a relationship exists between contraceptives and cancer, a study states that while contraceptive use is "associated with an increased risk of early breast cancer diagnosis in current or recent users (ie, within the past 6 mo)... there are no associations of past contraceptive use with increased rates of cancer and there is no association of past contraceptive use and mortality."

On the relationship between depression and suicide, the Danish study referenced by Musk found a slightly increased risk of depression with hormonal contraceptive use, especially in adolescents. However, the overall risk was low, with 1 additional case of depression per 1,000 women per year of use. A study has found no link between hormonal contraceptives and depression stating "Overall, the associations between hormonal contraceptive use and cardiovascular risk, cancer risk, and other major adverse health outcomes were not supported by high-quality evidence." The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that "This study found that the overall risk of breast cancer among hormonal contraceptive users is low."

Hormonal contraceptives provide important benefits beyond pregnancy prevention. They can reduce the risk of ovarian, endometrial, and colorectal cancers. They also treat conditions like acne, hirsutism, and menstrual disorders. The maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is higher than the risk of developing breast cancer with hormonal contraceptive use.

While hormonal birth control can have side effects, the risks are generally low and the benefits often outweigh the potential harms. The claim that hormonal contraceptives "make you fat, double the risk of depression & triple the risk of suicide" is an oversimplification not supported by the current scientific consensus. Women should discuss their individual risks and concerns with their healthcare providers to make informed decisions about contraceptive options.

Also read: Fact-check: Emergency contraceptive pills are safe

(Do you have a health-related claim that you would like us to fact-check? Send it to us, and we will fact-check it for you! You can send it on WhatsApp at +91-9311223141, mail us at hello@firstcheck.in, or click here to submit it online)