Effects of different hormonal contraceptives in women's blood pressure values

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To identify evidence in the literature of the relationship between the use of different hormonal contraceptive methods and alterations in women's blood pressure values. METHOD: This is an integrative literature review, consisting of ten scientific articles published in PubMed and BVS, between 2012 and 2016, selected by keywords, available fully and free of charge, in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. RESULTS: The articles showed that exogenous estrogen helps in the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system causing hypertensive effects even in small doses; and that combined use with drospirenone reduces these effects. Routes of administration without passage through the liver and use of isolated progestin showed promising results in reducing the effects on blood pressure. CONCLUSION: There is evidence in the literature of pressure alterations associated with different hormonal contraceptives and that personal history of morbidities are to be considered in an attempt to reduce the effects on the cardiovascular system.