Usos não contraceptivos dos fármacos anticoncepcionais hormonais: uma revisão.

Abstract

Hormonal contraceptives represent the most widely used contraceptive method in the world. Introduced on the market over more than 56 years, they are responsible for decrease fertility rates, especially in developing countries. They are drugs made up of hormones, usually combined, estrogen and progestogen, or just progestogen. Due to the characteristic properties of these hormones, they are also responsible for several side effects in the body, which has led to a continuous evolution of the formulations, in order to obtain lower doses of estrogen and/or combinations with new synthetic progestogens, to maintain the same effectiveness, but to reduce the potential risk. On the other hand, with this development of new formulations, as well as the specific effects of these hormones on the organism, it has seen many benefits of these drugs contraceptives to adult and teenager women's health. This has taken gynecologists to increase prescription of these drugs, in order to treat or relieve certain clinical conditions, and thus contributes to a better quality of life of these patients. The objective of this integrative review was to analyze the non-contraceptive uses of hormonal contraceptives, evidencing their efficacy and safety. The survey was carried out in electronic databases and free access portals, prioritizing materials published between 2006 and 2016, where 332 study materials were found and 148 were used. For many women, hormonal contraceptives present substantial benefits, both preventive and therapeutic, not related to their contraceptive use. These drugs have been an effective alternative treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome, since they reduce circulating androgens and induce the improvement of symptoms such as hirsutism, acne, menstrual irregularity and dysmenorrhea, being also a therapeutic alternative when any of these isolated symptoms are present. In addition, they are associated with the treatment of endometriosis and the lower incidence of ovarian and endometrial cancer, exerting a protective effect for years, even after discontinuation. Thus, hormonal contraceptives with this variety of formulations and available administration routes have represented a new, simple, safe and effective therapeutic proposal, where its benefits outweigh the associated risks, providing adequate and individualized therapy for each woman.