THE INFLUENCE OF CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS ON BLOOD PRESSURE: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Hypertension, a multifactorial condition and the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is prevalent in a significant part of the global population. The use of oral contraceptives, widely adopted by women of reproductive age, has been associated with an increased risk of hypertension. This study investigated the relationship between the use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and hypertension through an integrative literature review, including 10 articles published between 2004 and 2024 on the Scielo and PubMEd databases. The results show that prolonged use of COCs, especially those with ethinylestradiol, is linked to significant elevations in blood pressure, with average increases of 14.2 mmHg in systolic pressure and 8.5 mmHg in diastolic pressure. After stopping use, blood pressure returned to normal levels within three months. In addition, the use of COCs increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as acute myocardial infarction and stroke, especially in women predisposed to hypertension. It is concluded that the choice of contraceptive method should be careful, considering alternatives such as the progestogen pill (POP) for women at high risk of hypertension.