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Introduction: Breast is cancer is the most common cancer in women, and the various procedures and treatments performed after diagnosis can trigger physical symptoms. The objective was to verify the influence of pain on the functionality of the upper limbs (UL) in women after breast cancer surgery, in two postoperative periods. Methods: This is an exploratory cross-sectional study with women evaluated postoperatively at 6 (N=126) and 12 months (N=74). The outcomes were assessed using a Pain Body Diagram, a Numerical Pain Scale, and Quick-DASH. Multiple linear hierarchical regression analysis was performed adjusting for pain, clinical (radiotherapy, chemotherapy and axillary intervention), and sociodemographic variables (age, education level, ethnic), p <0.05. Results: Participants in the 6-month group had a similar functionality score (mean=27, SD=18.9) compared to the 12-month group (mean=24.6, SD=19.1). In both postoperative periods, the intensity of pain was classified as moderate, and the anterior region of the trunk was the most affected. Pain was more prevalent at 6 months (71.4%) compared to 12 months PO (57.3%), but the intensity of pain in the anterior and lateral trunk for the 12 months PO group was significantly higher compared to those at 6 months PO (p<.05). Among the variables included in the model, only pain was associated with worse functionality scores both at 6 (R²=0.23) and at 12 months postoperatively (R²=0.31). Conclusion: Pain was the most important factor influencing upper limb functionality. These results can guide professionals to foster pain control strategies to improve upper limb functionality.

Background: To know pregnant’s perceptions and a critical basis attributed to the body from the perspective of the reproductive system. Methods: This is a qualitative study. We used a semi-structured questionnaire with socioeconomic and gynecological-obstetric information, an A4 sheet for graphical representation of the reproductive system and pelvic floor and an interview, questioning the meanings of the reproductive system in the pregnancy context. Then, a qualitative analysis of the interviews was produced. Results: Five categories were identified: recognition began in adolescence, health-disease relationship, process of being pregnant, insight into sexuality, and lack of recognition of its importance in pregnancy. Conclusion: This perception had different meanings and roles in adolescence, changing with pregnancy, becoming a cradle of affection through self-care.

The aim of this study was primarily to investigate the rates of indicative sexual dysfunction (SD) in the last gestational month and at 24 months postpartum. As a secondary objective, we sought to identify the main factors associated with SD at 24 months. The study sample included 131 women who gave birth in maternity wards at two public hospitals in southern Brazil between the period of October 2018 and April 2019. In the first stage (T1), an interview was carried out while the participants were hospitalized, during the immediate postpartum period, based on a clinical record and on the female sexual function questionnaire (Female Sexual Function Index – FSFI). In the second stage (T2), assessments were made via telephone, given the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic, 24 months after the initial data collection. At this stage, an updated clinical record was used, followed by the FSFI questionnaire. The final sample consisted of 82 women. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics. Data normality was verified using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables in two stages. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the FSFI score and its domains, both in the last gestational month and at 24 months postpartum. To analyze the correlation of factors associated with the FSFI score, Spearman's test was used. As for sexual function (SF), of the women who were sexually active in the last four weeks of pregnancy (n=33), 39.4% (n=13) indicated SD, while at 24 months postpartum, the percentage was reduced to 20.7% (n=17). There was no statistically significant difference between the total FSFI scores for the two periods observed; however, the analysis of the FSFI domains showed a significant improvement in sexual desire (p=0.01) and a reduction in pain during intercourse (p=0.04) at the 24-month postpartum follow-up. Thus, indications of SD, both in the last month of pregnancy and at 24 months postpartum, can be considered moderate. Furthermore, it was possible to identify factors associated positively, as well as negatively, with SF at 24 months postpartum.