Alterações na densidade mineral óssea de adolescentes em uso de contraceptivos hormonais

Abstract

The use of contraceptives by adolescents is a somewhat controversial issue in the current scenario. As birth rates among adolescents increase, it is important to discuss the topic. The use of these exogenous hormones can, however, be harmful to the bone health of these women, even if they are effective in providing contraception. The period of adolescence is essential for bone development, and hormonal changes caused by the use of hormonal contraceptives in this age group can negatively contribute to bone mineral density. Due to the relevance of the topic, this article aims to relate the use of hormonal contraceptives in adolescents with potential changes in bone mineral density. We chose to carry out an integrative literature review. The descriptors “Bone density”, “Hormonal contraceptives” and “Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal” were applied to the BVS, Index Scielo and PubMed databases. The PRISMA 2020 flow diagram was used as a tool for selecting and eligibility of scientific publications. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 9 articles were selected to compose the sample for this review. Combined oral contraceptives are associated with changes in the physiological processes of bone anabolism, favoring bone resorption and disrupting the amount of bone gain during development. Physicians who prescribe this type of medication to adolescents should weigh the risks and benefits and analyze the dose applied. It is expected that new research will be conducted based on this review in order to fill the knowledge gaps left by current studies.