Emergency contraceptive: indications, use and adverse reactions

Abstract

Objective: To verify the frequency, age and other population characteristics of emergency contraceptive (EC) users, to evaluate adverse effects of EC use, which reasons for this drug use and which sources of information about the product are most frequently used. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted during the period from September 2014 to January 2018, using the SciELO and Pubmed databases, as well as books related to the subject. As descriptors we had used: Contraceptive, Emergency Contraceptive and Emergency Contraception. Results and Conclusions: Despite the guidelines on correct use of EC, the main reasons for seeking and administering this medicine are: insecurity about another contraceptive method used, non-use of the condom and/ or disruption of the contraceptive method and misuse of oral contraceptives. Additionally, the profile of users is predominantly of women between 16 and 30 years, 77.8% of whom earn less than three minimum wages. The most used sources for information regarding emergency contraception are divided into school/college 65.10%, newspapers, magazines and internet 63.60% and friends 61.20%. Among the observed adverse effects it can be observed nausea, vomiting, irregular uterine bleeding and menstruation, increased breast tenderness, water retention and headache.