S€x Over Safety? Thousands of Women Quit Contraceptives Due to Bedroom Side Effects

S€xu@l dissatisfaction is quietly driving thousands of women to abandon contraception — even while still at risk of unintended pregnancy.

A major global study released on 26 September 2025, to mark World Contraception Day, has revealed that at least 5% of women who discontinue birth control do so because of negative effects on their s€x lives, including reduced libido, discomfort during intercourse, and concerns about their partner’s experience.

The research, titled The S€x Effect: The Prevalence of S€x Life Reasons for Contraceptive Discontinuation, was commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN’s Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP), and The Pleasure Project.

It analysed 64 studies conducted between 2004 and 2023, involving more than 125,000 participants across multiple regions.

Contraceptive discontinuation refers to stopping a method while still being at risk of unintended pregnancy.

The study found that s€xu@l concerns are just as common as cost or access issues — yet they remain significantly under-researched.

“These findings highlight that s€xu@l concerns are common reasons for contraceptive discontinuation.

“These reasons are as common as cost or lack of access, yet they are much less studied,” the researchers stated.

Previous surveys across more than 30 countries revealed that 38% of women in need had stopped using modern contraception, with dropout rates reaching up to 50% in parts of Africa and Latin America.

Despite these high numbers, most earlier studies failed to ask users directly about s€xu@l side effects, leaving major gaps in understanding how contraception affects desire, satisfaction, and overall s€xu@l well-being.

As cited in The Guardian, the researchers noted:

“Our review revealed significant gaps in how s€xu@l concerns are measured and reported.”

The study found that many contraceptive users were never asked about how their method affected their s€x lives.

Questions about libido, pleasure, or partner dynamics were often missing from surveys and clinical consultations.

This lack of inquiry, the researchers argue, has led to a blind spot in reproductive health care.

To address this, the authors recommend that future studies include questions about s€xu@l acceptability and that clinicians proactively discuss potential s€xu@l side effects with patients.

“This would help to empower patients and enable them to make more informed choices,” they said.

The report concludes that s€xu@l well-being is not a secondary issue — it is central to successful contraceptive use.

“Including s€xu@l concerns as part of contraceptive care can significantly improve user satisfaction, reduce discontinuation rates, and enhance overall reproductive health outcomes,” the researchers added.

The findings serve as a wake-up call for health systems, policymakers, and providers to rethink how contraception is offered and discussed.

Experts say that by placing s€xu@l satisfaction at the heart of contraceptive care, more women will stay protected and feel respected.