Exploring the quality and credibility of nutritional advice for menstrual health on instagram

BackgroundSocial media is a widely used source of health information, yet the quality and accuracy of shared content can vary. Menstrual and hormonal health are especially prone to misinformation, given their complexity, individual variability, and the limited strength and consistency of available research evidence. This study explored Instagram content related to nutrition and menstrual health, identifying commonly recurring themes and assessing the quality and credibility of the information by comparing claims with current evidence and examining account holder credentials.ObjectivesTo identify predominant content themes and evaluate the quality and credibility of nutrition-related menstrual health information on Instagram.DesignQualitative study using inductive content analysis.MethodsInstagram accounts posting nutrition content about hormonal and menstrual health were identified through a structured search conducted on 29/01/25, with the ten most recent posts per account analysed. Inductive content analysis was used to code 52 posts from eligible accounts into emerging themes using NVivo software.ResultsOf 50 Instagram accounts identified, 21 met inclusion criteria. Four main themes were identified: Marketing and Engagement Strategies; Nutrition and Dietary Recommendations; Hormonal and Physiological Claims; and Symptoms, Wellbeing and Lifestyle Factors. Across these themes, many posts included claims that were not fully supported by current scientific evidence or lacked important context and nuance, particularly those relating to hormonal regulation, cycle-based nutrition advice and supplementation.ConclusionFindings from this study suggest that nutrition-related Instagram content on menstrual health frequently includes claims that are not fully aligned with current evidence or are presented without sufficient context or nuance. These findings highlight the importance of critically evaluating online health information and the need for clearer, evidence-based guidance in this area.