Prevalencia del consumo de anticonceptivos hormonales y reacciones adversas asociadas a las progestinas que contienen los anticonceptivos hormonales, en estudiantes de la Universidad Católica de Cuenca sede Azogues, Ecuador 2024 – 2025

Abstract

Introduction: Adverse reactions to the use of hormonal contraceptives are common among users; among the objectives of use are treatments of different pathologies and contraception, the latter being the main one. Within the components of combined or non-combined hormonal contraceptives are progestins, which differ from one another based on the biological receptor they act upon; thus, they can manifest different adverse reactions even though they are all progestins, as described in the present study. Methodology: An observational, correlational, cross-sectional research with a quantitative approach was conducted. The sample was selected using the formula for a finite convenience population; the data were processed in SPSS, obtaining a chi-square result for a population of 321 students. Results: The following findings were observed among 321 students included in the study: the predominant age group was 21–23 years (74.14%), and most participants were single (92.21%). The progestins used included Drospirenone (21%), Dienogest (14%), Levonorgestrel (34%), and Norethisterone (31%). The reported adverse reactions were Drospirenone associated with intermenstrual bleeding, headaches, decrease in acne, absence of menstrual bleeding, and mood changes; Dienogest with weight gain, intermenstrual bleeding, decreased libido, and mood changes; Levonorgestrel with weight gain and increased acne; and Norethisterone with breast tenderness/pain, headaches, increased acne, dizziness, and skin spots. Conclusions: The study reported that 74.14% of the study population used hormonal contraceptives. Norethisterone and Levonorgestrel were the two progestins associated with the most adverse effects compared to Drospirenone and Dienogest. Additionally, these last two progestins were found to have an incidental protective effect against acne. Keywords: acne, contraceptives, headache, hormones, metrorrhagia, progestin