A new study out of Oman has revealed that two-thirds of women stop using hormonal birth control within a year, largely due to uncomfortable side effects not partner influence or access issues. Conducted by the Ministry of Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, and the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, this research offers the first in-depth look at contraceptive dropout in the country and raises important questions about the quality of post-contraceptive care.
Tracking 404 women aged 15 to 49 in Muscat’s birth spacing clinics, the study followed users of combined oral contraceptives (COCs), progestogen-only pills (POPs), and DMPA injections over one year. With nearly 88% breastfeeding, most initially opted for POPs. Yet these same pills saw the highest dropout rate 94.3%, with most quitting within six months.
The leading cause? Side effects. Women reported menstrual irregularities, mood swings, headaches, weight gain, and even rare cases of venous thromboembolism. POP users were especially affected by heavy or irregular bleeding, while mood disturbances such as irritability and depression were common with COCs.
“Only 5.6% stopped because they wanted to conceive. It’s not about fertility it’s about discomfort,” the researchers noted.
Surprisingly, education level played a major role. Women with secondary or higher education were nearly three times more likely to discontinue their contraception, challenging the idea that higher education always leads to better long-term health management. Researchers suggest this could be due to higher expectations, greater awareness, or more assertive decision-making.
Meanwhile, partner influence was minimal only one woman cited her husband’s objection as a reason for stopping. This contrasts with many global patterns and points to a notable level of autonomy among Omani women once they opt for contraception.
While 82% of users said they were counseled about side effects, the dropout rate suggests this counseling may not have been effective in preparing women for real-world symptoms. Many followed healthcare provider advice when discontinuing, indicating that provider training and follow-up care need improvement.
The study highlights a crucial policy gap: even in a country with free and accessible contraceptive services, the lack of personalized support and responsive care can lead to high dropout rates. Researchers recommend future studies focus on breastfeeding women and use real-time tracking methods to better understand the reasons for discontinuation.
This research is a wake-up call for health systems across the Gulf region offering a rare, data-driven insight into how women experience and respond to hormonal contraception, and what needs to change to ensure they feel supported every step of the way.