WOMEN'S AUTONOMY IN CHOOSING CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS: THE NURSES' ROLE

Abstract

This study explores the importance of nurses’ interventions during consultations in the choice of contraceptive methods. It is an exploratory bibliographic study with a qualitative approach, highlighting that health services and professionals often fail to ensure the exercise of reproductive rights, reinforcing the need for ongoing professional training. Women’s control over their fertility is essential for empowerment, yet the responsibility for preventing unwanted pregnancies disproportionately falls on them. The study emphasizes progress in women’s autonomy in sexual and reproductive health, particularly with Family Planning, which enables informed choices. However, structural sexism and limited male contraceptive options continue to burden women. Nurses play a key role in providing guidance on contraceptive methods, ensuring equity, and promoting a humanized approach, especially for women in vulnerable situations. Continuous training for healthcare professionals is crucial to guarantee quality care, supporting women’s autonomy and respecting their informed decisions. Nurses, as educators in sexual and reproductive health, foster trust and empowerment, ensuring that women have the knowledge to make choices that align with their personal needs and circumstances. This approach empowers women by providing them with the information and support needed to make decisions about their reproductive health, which is vital for their well-being and autonomy.