Nursing Practice and Bioethical Aspects of Oral Contraceptive Use in Primary Care: Literature Review ^†

Introduction: Women’s health policies in Brazil guarantee family planning and access to contraceptives through the Unified Health System (SUS), with oral contraceptives being the most used. Nurses play a strategic role, guided by bioethics, autonomy, communication, and informed consent. This study analyzes nursing practices in Primary Health Care from a bioethical perspective, focusing on knowledge and attitudes toward the use of oral contraceptives. Methodology: A review was conducted of articles available in the Virtual Health Library from 2016 to 2021, based on the question: Is the handling of oral contraceptives by nurses in Primary Health Care adequate from a bioethical perspective? The keywords used were oral contraceptives, nursing, bioethics, primary health care, and women’s health. Results: The review of thirteen articles identified three main themes: Conditions related to oral contraceptive use (biological cycle, prolonged use, accessibility, adverse effects, system impact, contraindications); Health education and counseling (information tools, light technologies, user history evaluation); and Ethical commitment of nursing professionals (service demands, training, competencies, autonomy, and holistic care). These highlight the complexity and multidimensional nature of nursing practices in Primary Care. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of evaluating nursing practices related to oral contraceptive use in Primary Health Care, as such practices may diverge from established guidelines. Broader and consistent assessments are essential to ensure quality and safety. Critical thinking, moral sensitivity, and ethical commitment enhance nursing practice, while continuous professional development helps identify gaps, avoid mechanization, and promote more reflective, ethical, and effective care across diverse healthcare contexts.