Women’s Health Topics Face Overwhelming Censorship on Social Media

A recent study reveals that topics related to women’s health are more than three times as likely to be censored on social media compared to men’s health content. This finding has drawn attention to the disparities in how health-related discussions are moderated on these platforms.

Research indicates that outdated algorithms often flag critical keywords associated with women’s health, limiting the visibility of posts and preventing non-followers from accessing important information. The study highlights the challenges faced by influencers like Aly Boghici, who experienced a significant drop in views and engagement when discussing topics such as menopause and sexual wellness.

In a practical demonstration, Aly Boghici, known on Instagram as @allmumstalk, found that her posts about menopause and sexual health received 66 percent fewer views from non-followers compared to her usual content. Conversely, her husband, Justin Boghici (@alldadstalk), noted only a slight decline in engagement when posting about men’s health issues like testosterone imbalance. The disparity in engagement was stark: Aly’s posts saw a 69 percent decrease in comments, while Justin’s posts garnered a 76 percent increase.

This experiment, sponsored by health and hygiene firm Essity—producer of menstrual health brands Bodyform and Modibodi—aims to challenge the practice of banning medically and anatomically accurate terminology associated with women’s health. Aly Boghici reported a “massive drop” in engagement for her posts on menstrual health and related topics, expressing concerns that such censorship could discourage open discussions about these critical issues.

During her experiment, Aly also shared content on subjects like heavy bleeding and endometriosis, which received 25 percent fewer views. Posts addressing taboo topics, such as thrush and vaginal discharge, saw a 14 percent drop in engagement. In contrast, Justin’s posts about testicular pain led to a 34 percent increase in activity from non-followers, while his discussions on penile and prostate cancers experienced a four percent rise in views.

Justin articulated a sentiment echoed by many, stating, “It doesn’t feel fair that one gender appears to be disproportionately censored when it comes to sharing information about health.” His observations align with research involving 4,000 adults, which found that 47 percent of social media users view these platforms as essential for health education, while 45 percent believe there should be no restrictions on posts that use correct medical terminology.

In light of these findings, Essity is collaborating with campaign group CensHERship to raise awareness about the adverse effects of censoring women’s health topics. Spokesperson Kate Prince emphasized the importance of accessible information for women and girls, stating, “Our Bodyform brand is regularly censored when it launches new campaigns on social media that are designed to improve education around menstrual health.”

Prince further noted, “Women and girls must be able to access information and advice about critical health topics on social media. We can fully understand the need to monitor certain words and phrases, but when anatomically and medically correct language is censored, we think it’s going too far.”

The study and subsequent experiment reveal a pressing need for social media companies to reconsider their moderation practices, particularly as they affect discussions around women’s health. The implications of continued censorship could hinder progress in breaking taboos and fostering open dialogue about crucial health issues.