Iran Journal of Nursing

  Background and Aim: Mood changes and high perceived stress are considered as the controversial side effects of oral contraceptive pill (OCP) consumption. The belief that OCPs cause mood changes and depression could be a significant factor to discontinue OCP use in women, the event that inevitably leads to increase the rate of unwanted pregnancies with high costs on the families and society. Therefore, providing stress management educational programs could improve mood and perceived stress during OCP use, thereby, prevents discontinuation of OCPs. The aim of this study was to determine whether stress management education could influence mood and perceived stress in oral contraceptive users.

  Material and Method: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on ninety two women who were suitable candidates to use OCPs. Mood state and perceived stress were measured by PANAS and PSS, before intervention (as pretest). Then, all of the subjects were randomly assigned into either experimental or control group. The experimental group (n=46) used OCP for three cycles with routine contraception counseling and concurrently exposed to one session of stress management education, and 3 times telephone counseling. The control group (n=46) received only routine contraception counseling during OCP use for three months. Mood and perceived stress were measured again after educational intervention.

  Results: S ignificant reduction in negative mood and perceived stress and improvement in positive mood were found in the experimental group compared to the control group.

  Conclusion: The findings suggest beneficial effects of stress management education and counseling during OCP use that could reduce the rate of d iscontinuation and subsequent unwanted pregnancies. In addition, the stress management intervention could be considered as a significant factor to improve women's health promoting behaviors and quality of life during OCP use.