Pharmacist dispels myths about reproductive medicine

Veronica Vernon wrote academic article in January that discussed medical misinformation

(Veronica Vernon)

Rampant misinformation and confusion among patients is something that has become commonplace for pharmacists across the country. 

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many women to worry that they would become infertile with vaccination. Since the Dobbs decision, pharmacists have had to address a number of misconceptions regarding birth control, Plan B, and abortion medication. 

Veronica Vernon, an assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Butler University in Indianapolis, wrote an article about the topic in a January issue of the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association. 

“It just seems that more and more myths start to circulate just as we think we've done some good public education campaigns with one topic for reproductive health care,” Vernon said. “And then something else comes along.” 

Many women worried that the side effects of the vaccine hadn’t been studied adequately. They had heard that they may become infertile down the road. This is one of the less paranoid ones that I’ve come across and shouldn’t be treated dismissively. On the other hand, I’ve had Uber passengers who told me that I’d lose control of my hand or that appendages of my body would suddenly fall off after I got vaccinated. There are also people who thought microchips would be implanted in my brain with a vaccine as well. 

The point I’m making is that there are a range of fears pertaining to any medical side effects. Infertility would be a reasonable concern in normal times. And so it should be treated respectfully as Vernon suggests. 

Since the Dobbs decision, people have confused birth control and other women’s medications with abortion pills. That goes in line with the general lack of understanding of women’s medications or issues, including among elected officials. 

Pharmacists also get asked about abortion pill reversal in which the patient would use progesterone after mifepristone. 

“That's challenging to navigate due to the lack of evidence and some of the questions,” Vernon said. “And so it's interesting that we're passing laws mandating medical providers give out certain information that isn’t the standard of care.”