Providers may incorrectly believe that some groups of women cannot use the pill effectively. For example, in Vietnam providers often do not recommend OCs because they think that clients could not remember to take a pill every day (78). Also, in South Africa women with less education predominantly use injectables, while women with more education mostly use the pill. This difference occurs because providers incorrectly assume that only well-educated women can use the pill consistently and correctly (41, 174). Others may judge clients on the basis of socioeconomic status and treat women of higher status better than those of lower status. In Gujarat, India, for example, a study of OC providers found that they devoted more time to counseling clients of higher social standing (204). Many providers are rude to poor clients, as a study in Bangladesh found (190).

Some providers make judgments based on their perception of a specific woman's situation. For example, if providers think that a woman does not want her husband to know about her contraceptive use, they may not offer the pill. They assume that hiding the pill packet would make consistent use too difficult for her (15).

Providers' and programs' bias in favor of OCs may actually contribute to ineffective use and early discontinuation among some users. No method is ideal for all users at all times. When providers have preconceived notions that certain clients “should” use OCs, some of their clients will end up with a method that does not suit them well. These clients are not likely to use the pill correctly or for long. Similarly, programs that offer OCs and just one or two other methods leave many women with little choice but to use OCs, whether or not the method suits them.