In our sixth episode of Afaxys Candid Conversations in Public Health, we explore the world of contraception misinformation, disinformation and negative sentiment on social media. With our expert guests, Dr. Donna Adams-Pickett and Dr. Sarah Ann Anderson-Burnett, we define what contraception mis-/disinformation is (and what it is not). We walk through how clinicians can assess what sort of information their patients are seeing online, including how to query patients and tools such as Bedsider Providers+. Our experts guide us through talking with patients about online contraception information, including acknowledgment of their worries and fears that are often the foundation of misinformation belief. Should clinicians post on social media to educate their patients? Our experts say YES and talk about how to get started.

• Donna Adams-Pickett, PhD, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified OB/GYN, CEO of Four Girls For Girls Foundation and Afya Partners in Health Equity and Health Education.
• Sarah-Ann Anderson-Burnett, MD, PhD, FAAP, is assistant vice president of Health and Wellness and the director of Health Services and Quality Improvement at Barnard College.

Disclosures

Dr. Donna Adams-Pickett and Dr. Sarah Ann Anderson-Burnett have no disclosures.

Resources

White paper: Combating misinformation in sexual and reproductive health care

Bedsider Providers+

Dr. Donna Adams-Pickett on social media:

· https://www.instagram.com/drdonna_thegirlfriendsgyn/

· https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552125051772

· https://www.tiktok.com/@thegirlfriendsgyn

Whitfield B, Wilkinson TA, Lindberg LD. Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Receipt of Person-Centered Contraceptive Counseling. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(12):e2551287. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.51287

By Emily Pfender and colleagues:

Social Media Is Influencing Contraceptive Choice

Hormonal Contraceptive Side Effects and Nonhormonal Alternatives on TikTok: A Content Analysis

What Do Social Media Influencers Say About Birth Control? A Content Analysis of YouTube Vlogs About Birth Control

Educational content only — not a substitute for professional medical advice. Opinions are those of the speakers and not necessarily of Afaxys. Visit Afaxys.com for resources.

Educational content only — not a substitute for professional medical advice. Opinions are those of the speakers and not necessarily of Afaxys. Visit Afaxys.com for resources.

In our fifth episode of Afaxys Candid Conversations in Public Health, we discuss the recently published “StepUp” randomized controlled trial of male partner treatment for the prevention of bacterial vaginosis (BV) recurrence in female partners with our expert guests, Dr. Craig Cohen and Dr. Ina Park. Building on our previous episode 4, part 2, we take a deep dive into the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Clinical Practice Update: Concurrent Sexual Partner Therapy to Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis Recurrence. This guidance was based on the StepUp clinical trial and published after we spoke with Dr. Christina Muzny in our last episode.

Today’s discussion covers why the vaginal microbiome is central to BV, what the recent clinical trial from Australia actually showed, a critical look at the new clinical practice update, and why applying the Australian trial findings in U.S. clinics requires appreciation of the nuances of the trial population. Our experts also explore whether BV should be viewed as a sexually transmitted infection, plus the practical challenges of treating male partners. They also highlight emerging strategies—such as microbiome-restoring therapies—and key questions that still need research before widespread adoption.

Disclosures:

Dr. Cohen discloses that he is on the scientific committee for Osel and Evvy.

Dr. Park has no disclosures.

Resources:

***Free CME!*** STI Expert Hour Webinar - Male Partner Treatment to Prevent BV Recurrence: Evidence and Implementation on December 18, 2025

Male-Partner Treatment to Prevent Recurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial Vaginosis — Time to Treat Male Partners

Getting Everyone on Board to Break the Cycle of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Recurrence: A Qualitative Study of Partner Treatment for BV

ACOG PUBLICATIONS: CLINICAL PRACTICE UPDATE

Concurrent Sexual Partner Therapy to Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis Recurrence

Melbourne Sexual Health Centre - BV in focus

Educational content only — not a substitute for professional medical advice. Opinions are those of the speakers and not necessarily of Afaxys. Visit Afaxys.com for resources.

In our third and fourth episodes of Afaxys Candid Conversations in Public Health, we talk with Dr. Olivia van Gerwen and Dr. Christina Muzny about recent updates in prevention strategies for HIV and bacterial vaginosis (BV).

In Episode 3 (Part 1), Dr. Olivia “Libby” van Gerwen walks us through oral versus injectable medications as HIV prevention strategies, including the findings from the Purpose 1 and Purpose 2 trials of lenacapavir. We also discuss real-world nuances of HIV PrEP care such as insurance, cost, patient preference, and the clinical logistics of these preventive medications.

In Episode 4 (Part 2), Dr. Christina Muzny tackles our tough questions: Is BV a sexually transmitted infection? Does male partner treatment prevent BV recurrence? Which patients are eligible for this type of therapy?

Learn how today’s guest experts are advancing STI prevention and improving patient care—insights every sexual and reproductive health clinician can use.

Disclosures:

Dr. van Gerwen discloses research funding from NIH and Gilead, including the Purpose 2 and Purpose 365 trials. Unrelated to this episode, she has served as a consultant for GSK, Abbott, and BioMeriuex.

Dr. Muzny discloses research funding from NIH, Gilead, BioNTech, and Abbott.

Resources for Part 1:

Bekker LG, Das M, Karim QA, et al. Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir or Daily F/TAF for HIV Prevention in Cisgender Women. New England Journal of Medicine. 2024;391(13):1179-1192. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2407001

Kelley CF, Acevedo-Quiñones M, Agwu AL, et al. Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention in Men and Gender-Diverse Persons. New England Journal of Medicine. 2025;392(13):1261-1276. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2411858

Resources for Part 2:

https://www.mshc.org.au/sexual-health/bacterial-vaginosis

Vodstrcil LA, Plummer EL, Fairley CK, Hocking JS, Law MG, Petoumenos K, Bateson D, Murray GL, Donovan B, Chow EPF, Chen MY, Kaldor J, Bradshaw CS; StepUp Team. Male-Partner Treatment to Prevent Recurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis. N Engl J Med. 2025 Mar 6;392(10):947-957. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2405404. PMID: 40043236.

Muzny CA, Sobel JD. Bacterial Vaginosis — Time to Treat Male Partners. New England Journal of Medicine. Published online March 6, 2025. doi:10.1056/NEJMe2500373

Educational content only — not a substitute for professional medical advice. Opinions are those of the speakers and not necessarily of Afaxys. Visit Afaxys.com for resources.