Presenter Status
Fellow
Abstract Type
Clinical Research
Primary Mentor or Principal Investigator
Tazim Dowlut-McElroy MD, MS
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
14-5-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
14-5-2026 12:15 PM
Abstract Text
Background:
Social media plays a significant role in improving access to information regarding gynecological health. However, exposure to misinformation is prevalent, and studies have found that gynecological content on social media is often low quality and inaccurate. Despite the widespread use of social media among adolescents and young adults (AYA), the extent to which it influences their gynecological health remains unclear.
Objectives/Goal:
This study aims to characterize the influence of social media on gynecological health in AYAs, evaluate the impact of digital marketing, and identify strategies used to assess the credibility of online content.
Methods/Design:
This IRB-approved multi-site, cross-sectional survey study was conducted from August 2024 to June 2025. Participants were aged 12–25 years, assigned female at birth, and received care in pediatric adolescent gynecology or adolescent medicine clinics. Participation was anonymous. The survey assessed sources and types of gynecologic health information accessed on social media, as well as factors influencing perceptions of post trustworthiness. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-squared tests, and Fisher’s exact tests. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05.
Results:
126 participants, mean age 16+2.1 years, were included for analysis. Demographic distribution is listed in Figure 1. One third of participants (n=46, 36.5%) reported social media was the primary source of gynecologic health information with TikTok (n=72, 57.1%) and Instagram (17, 13.5%) as the most common sites. The most viewed topic was information related to menstrual cycles (n=90, 71.4%), and the most viewed products were related to menstrual hygiene (n=93, 73.8%) (Figure 2). Half of participants (n=63) reported trying a menstrual hygiene product they had seen on social media. 60.3% (n=76) of participants indicated that the most important factor in determining trustworthiness of a post was if it was created by a healthcare worker. Older adolescents and young adults were significantly more likely to receive information equally from social media (n=17, 32.7%, and n=7, 41.2%) and healthcare providers (n=18, 34.6%, and n=7, 41.2%), whereas younger adolescents were more likely to receive information from adult family members (n=7, 41.2%) (p=0.03).
Conclusions:
Social media plays an influential role in the gynecological health of AYA. Although the source of health information shifts from family members to social media as adolescents age, healthcare workers remain a trustworthy resource. Opportunities exist for healthcare workers to disseminate accurate gynecological information to AYAs via social media.
GynTok: The Influence of Social Media on the Gynecologic Health of Adolescents and Young Adults
Background:
Social media plays a significant role in improving access to information regarding gynecological health. However, exposure to misinformation is prevalent, and studies have found that gynecological content on social media is often low quality and inaccurate. Despite the widespread use of social media among adolescents and young adults (AYA), the extent to which it influences their gynecological health remains unclear.
Objectives/Goal:
This study aims to characterize the influence of social media on gynecological health in AYAs, evaluate the impact of digital marketing, and identify strategies used to assess the credibility of online content.
Methods/Design:
This IRB-approved multi-site, cross-sectional survey study was conducted from August 2024 to June 2025. Participants were aged 12–25 years, assigned female at birth, and received care in pediatric adolescent gynecology or adolescent medicine clinics. Participation was anonymous. The survey assessed sources and types of gynecologic health information accessed on social media, as well as factors influencing perceptions of post trustworthiness. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-squared tests, and Fisher’s exact tests. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05.
Results:
126 participants, mean age 16+2.1 years, were included for analysis. Demographic distribution is listed in Figure 1. One third of participants (n=46, 36.5%) reported social media was the primary source of gynecologic health information with TikTok (n=72, 57.1%) and Instagram (17, 13.5%) as the most common sites. The most viewed topic was information related to menstrual cycles (n=90, 71.4%), and the most viewed products were related to menstrual hygiene (n=93, 73.8%) (Figure 2). Half of participants (n=63) reported trying a menstrual hygiene product they had seen on social media. 60.3% (n=76) of participants indicated that the most important factor in determining trustworthiness of a post was if it was created by a healthcare worker. Older adolescents and young adults were significantly more likely to receive information equally from social media (n=17, 32.7%, and n=7, 41.2%) and healthcare providers (n=18, 34.6%, and n=7, 41.2%), whereas younger adolescents were more likely to receive information from adult family members (n=7, 41.2%) (p=0.03).
Conclusions:
Social media plays an influential role in the gynecological health of AYA. Although the source of health information shifts from family members to social media as adolescents age, healthcare workers remain a trustworthy resource. Opportunities exist for healthcare workers to disseminate accurate gynecological information to AYAs via social media.
