Highlights

• A 2022 study found that on TikTok and Instagram, the vast majority of content on men’s health was not created by healthcare workers or doctors.

• The study also found that posts from someone who isn’t a qualified healthcare professional were more likely to be inaccurate.

• The inaccuracy increases the further the topic gets from medical procedures.

• When reading about a topic on social media, check the credentials of the author first, and then verify what they’re saying with an independent source.

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It’s hardly news that Social Media is full of misinformation. But a 2022 study found that it’s especially true with men’s health topics. Learn why social media misinformation is so prevalent around men’s health and what you can do to get the real facts.

Men’s Health And Social Media Misinformation

In the study, researchers searched on both TikTok and Instagram for a range of men’s health terms, like “testosterone,” “semen retention,” “erectile dysfunction,” and so on. They used the available data, namely views on TikTok (over 2 billion) and number of posts on Instagram (over 3 million), and collected the top 40 posts for each search term. They then evaluated them for accuracy.

They also looked at what, and who, is popular. They found that creators and other people who weren’t medical professionals had a much broader following on topics like testosterone, while on topics like vasectomy, the pros had a larger audience. Medical experts also had a larger following, averaging over 700,000 followers to just under 200,000.

The problem, though, is volume: Healthcare workers accounted for only 17.3% of all posts on these topics on Instagram and 15.5% of posts on TikTok.

The Study Results

To determine accuracy, TikTok posts were narrowed down to include only those that purported to be educational, and the study authors ranked them from 1 (no accurate information) to 5 (completely accurate).

Here are the results:

Topic	Overall Post Accuracy	Non-Professional Post Accuracy	Professional Post Accuracy
Testosterone	2.3	2.3	3.0
Erectile dysfunction	2.8	2.4	5.0
Male infertility	3.0	2.6	4.1
Semen retention	1.5	1.5	N/A
Peyronie’s disease	3.6	3.6	3.6
Vasectomy	5.0	5.0	5.0
Totals	2.6	2.3	4.2

Accuracy scores on a scale of 1 (inaccurate) to 5 (completely accurate)

While there are a few surprises in the results, like the accuracy of vasectomy content, the overall totals say it all. The posters with appropriate training were nearly two points more accurate than those without it in posts that were intended to be educational.

This method has some flaws. For example, doctors don’t talk about semen retention (not ejaculating, sometimes referred to as NoFap) on social media at all, because it’s a social media trend, not a medical topic. But overall, the results were clear that if you’re consuming advice from someone who isn’t a medical doctor, you should check their claims.

Examples of Online Sexual Health Misinformation

A quick dive into these social networks using the term with the most inaccuracy, “erectile dysfunction,” quickly illustrates the problem.

A notable piece of content from a TikTok influencer has garnered significant attention, reaching over 400,000 views. It offers health tips that he claims will cure erectile dysfunction.

Some of the advice he gives is correct, but much of it, like drinking a gallon of water a day and taking a cold shower, is perhaps good for your overall health, but it won’t do much to help your ED.

Other posts, such as ones claiming that “porn addiction” causes erectile dysfunction, are even more popular, some with millions of views. However, there is little scientific evidence to support such claims. In fact, some studies have found that watching porn can actually have beneficial effects.

A search on Instagram for the same hashtag yielded similar results.

So what’s going on here? And how can men protect themselves?

Protecting Your Health from Social Media Misinformation

Take the following steps to help protect yourself from misinformation on men’s health.

Check the Poster’s Credentials

If you see a post about men’s health, before you watch, click into the person’s bio and see who they are and what they do. What type of medicine do they practice? Where do they practice? Is this something they see regularly in their role as a doctor?

A legitimate medical professional will clearly post their credentials, which you can follow to find out what type of medicine they practice and where their practice is located. If you can’t find this information, it’s best to move on to another source of information.

Look for Red Flags in the Presentation

Because TikTok is video-driven, it’s important to look at all the content, not just what the video is telling you. A particular red flag is when a post presents itself as medical content, such as being shot in a medical setting with people dressed as medical professionals, but with no sign of verifiable credentials.

Look at the tone of the video as well. If they’re using shame marketing, trying to make you feel bad about yourself or guilty in some way, that’s a strong sign you’re not getting reliable information.

Ask Yourself, What Do They Want From Me?

Finally, look closely at what the poster wants you to do. In particular, if they’re pushing you to buy a product, particularly if they make claims that seem too good to be true or that don’t align with accepted medical science, that’s an indication you should look for another source for your information.

Always, Always Verify!

Before you do anything the video suggests, take a moment to verify the claims with well-respected sources. Look for detailed studies or articles from medical professionals working in that specific field. Compare the claims to the evidence. If they don’t align, there’s a problem.

Get Your Advice and Medication From Doctors, Not Influencers

Ultimately, the best way to learn about men’s health is to be open and honest with a doctor. Every man is different, so getting regular checkups and discussing your personal history with your provider is always the best course.

If you think you would benefit from medication to help with intimate problems like ED, don’t trust the claims about male enhancement products and supplements that litter social media sites. Get legitimate, FDA-approved ED medications from a trustworthy source like eDrugstore.

We provide complementary virtual health visits where you can discuss your sexual health needs with a U.S.-licensed physician, who will write your prescription and send your medications right to your door, discreetly and for free. 

Don’t trust your health to unverified online content. Check out our erectile dysfunction page to get started.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about health and related topics but is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

The post Men’s Health Misinformation on Social Media: Users Beware first appeared on Online Prescription Medications.