• Julia Tres, Enio Luis Damaso, and Mariane Nunes de Nadai.
• Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru - Bauru (SP), Brazil.
• Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). 2022 Jan 1; 68 (12): 176517681765-1768.

ObjectiveIn the beginning of the pandemic, measures, such as social distancing, lockdown strategies, and restrictions on mobility, as well as the fear of transiting through health facilities, raised concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on women's ability to continue using contraceptives.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study, which evaluated reports of medication distribution spreadsheets in Bauru - SP, from January 2019 to June 2021.ResultsOur study showed that the municipal dispensation of contraceptives in the SUS was markedly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, suffering reductions that can impact on an increase in unplanned pregnancy rates. It is possible to note a significant decrease in the distribution of combined oral contraceptives (44.18%), combined injectable contraceptives (47.58% reduction), and medroxyprogesterone acetate (13.98%). This fact may be associated with the reduction in offers of face-to-face consultations in gynecology, due to the social isolation necessary at the time of the pandemic.ConclusionEnsuring access to contraceptives during health emergencies should be a public health policy priority. Thus, it is essential to draw up strategic plans to encourage full access to reproductive planning services even in times of health emergency, so that the occurrence of unplanned pregnancies can be adequately prevented.

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