Internet Discussions of Uncertainties and Risks of Contraceptive Pills in the Czech Republic

The article deals with social discussions concerning the risks and benefits of using combined oral contraceptive pills (COCP). The discussions reflect sociological theories of risk, loss of trust in biomedicine, and active lay participation in health choices. The main goal of the qualitative content analysis of six internet discussions from 2006 to 2015 is to identify how former, current, and future users of COCP in the Czech Republic deal with the risks and benefits of this method, the possible alternatives being considered, and how information from these internet discussions influences the choice of method. The main narratives showing reflection of risk in internet discussions about hormonal contraceptives were called: Weighing the risk of taking or not taking COCP, Risk of side effects when using COCP, Risk of “post-pill syndrome,” Sharing information and experience.