Efectos físicos y emocionales de los anticonceptivos orales: concepción de los estudiantes de salud

Abstract

Introduction: The use of contraceptive methods has increased significantly in recent decades; however, prolonged exposure to these methods can have significant impacts on women’s physical and emotional health. Objectives: To identify the physical and emotional changes most frequently reported by health students using oral contraceptives and to analyze at which stages of the oral contraceptive cycle these changes occur most frequently and intensely. Methodology: This is a qualitative study with a descriptive and exploratory approach. The participants were students enrolled in health courses at a public university in southwestern Bahia. Data collection began after approval by the Research Ethics Committee, opinion 7,467,294, through a self-completed semi-structured questionnaire in April 2025, using the Google Forms platform and WhatsApp groups. Bardin’s Content Analysis Technique was used to organize the data. Results: Most participants were between 22 and 25 years old, enrolled in their 5th to 9th semester, were predominantly Catholic, and were studying nursing. They unveiled different viewpoints about contraceptive methods. It was observed that random use can cause health problems. The physical and emotional changes reported ranged from the first month to seven years of use, including weight gain, water retention, nausea, acne, mood swings, and breast tenderness. Conclusion: The use of oral contraceptives in health students triggered adverse reactions, highlighting the importance of professional monitoring.

Keywords: Oral Contraceptives; Health Sciences; Nursing; Students.