Menopausa, a experiência intrínseca de uma inevitabilidade humana: Uma revisão da literatura

Abstract

Neste artigo propomo-nos fazer uma revisão de literatura sobre a menopausa. A investigação que tem sido desenvolvida no âmbito da menopausa tem focado de forma sistemática os sintomas decorrentes das mudanças hormonais, conceituando a experiência do climatério do ponto de vista bio-médico. A investigação da vivência psico-sócio-cultural evidencia que outros factores poderão ter um papel determinante na forma como a mulher experimenta os sintomas do climatério e vive as fases de peri e pós-menopausa. São ainda referidas várias estratégias não medicamentosas que têm sido eficazes na gestão de alguns sintomas ligados aos períodos de peri e pós-menopausa.

Personality Traits of Postmenopausal Women with Sexual Dysfunction

“…The researched literature points out to the fact that depressive symptoms are prevalent in women in the transition to menopause or during the climacteric, with the occurrence varying from 26 1 to 60% of the women in this phase. 18…”

“…The resulting symptoms are: hot flashes, joint pain, mood and sleep disorders, irritability, fatigue, nocturnal sweating, vaginal dryness, generalized anxiety, depression, decreased libido, and manifestation of a decline in sexual life. 1 Pertaining to the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction, in the year of 2012, Ambler et al 2 estimated that between 68 and 86.5% of postmenopausal women presented with some kind of sexual problem. In 2010, Nappi et al 3 found that the decrease in female sexual desire is associated with personal and interpersonal difficulties.…”

“…The resulting symptoms are: hot flashes, joint pain, mood and sleep disorders, irritability, fatigue, nocturnal sweating, vaginal dryness, generalized anxiety, depression, decreased libido, and manifestation of a decline in sexual life. 1 …”

“…Few scientific studies have investigated the psychological aspects linked to the sexual experience of postmenopausal women, as well as possible sexual dysfunctions that may occur in this period of life. Nevertheless, in 2007, Pimenta et al 1 pointed to some psychological factors associated with complaints of sexual dysfunction.…”

The Portuguese Version of the Perceived Control over Hot Flushes Index: Evaluation of its Psychometric Properties

“…Specific behavioural changes, which involve smoking cessation, moderated alcohol intake, a balanced nutrition and physical exercise, have been emphasized as important modifications that will enable a better climacteric period (International Menopause Society Executive Committee, 2005;Neves-e-Castro, 2003). In addition, a literature review has highlighted that psychological interventions might result in a decrease, to a certain degree, of hot flushes' frequency or intensity (Pimenta, Leal, & Branco, 2007).…”