Repercussões da Menopausa para a Sexualidade de Idosas: Revisão Integrativa da Literatura

Abstract

Resumo: A menopausa representa transformações hormonais significativas que podem ser acompanhadas de mudanças sociais e emocionais. Além disso, a população idosa feminina tem apresentado maiores comprometimentos em relação à sexualidade do que os homens. Este estudo teve por objetivo apresentar uma revisão integrativa da literatura científica nacional e internacional sobre as possíveis repercussões da menopausa para a sexualidade de idosas. As buscas foram realizadas nas bases Lilacs, SciELO, PePSIC e PsycINFO com análise da produção científica nacional e internacional relativa ao período de janeiro de 2006 a março de 2016. Foram analisadas 36 produções na íntegra cujo perfil predominante é de estudos quantitativos, descritivos e transversais, desenvolvidos com mulheres de diferentes faixas etárias na pós-menopausa, incluindo idosas. Todavia, estudos com amostras compostas exclusivamente por idosas são minoria. Entre os resultados houve predominância de pesquisas voltadas para a avaliação e quantificação das possíveis patologias e sintomas biológicos que afetam a sexualidade (redução da libido, de lubrificação e de orgasmos, por exemplo). A maioria das pesquisas aponta para a importância da análise conjunta de aspectos biológicos, psicológicos, sociais, culturais e individuais para a compreensão das suas distintas influências na sexualidade das idosas. Destaca-se a necessidade de realização de pesquisas com abordagem mista e voltadas apenas para mulheres idosas a fim de ampliar a compreensão acerca das suas perspectivas sobre as repercussões da menopausa para a sexualidade pretendendo respaldar práticas clínicas e políticas sociais destinadas a essa população. Palavras-chave:Menopausa, Sexualidade, Climatério, Envelhecimento, Mulher. Menopause Effects for the Sexuality of Older Adults:An Integrative Literature Review Abstract: Menopause involves hormonal transformations that may be accompanied by social and emotional changes. Besides, female elderly population has more sexual problems than males. This research aimed to present a national and international scientific integrative review about the effects of menopause for elderly women sexuality. The index bases utilized were Lilacs, SciELO, PePSIC and PsycINFO from January 2006 to March 2016. 36 papers were analyzed; most of them were quantitative, descriptive and transversal studies developed with postmenopausal women including elderly woman. However, research exclusively focused to elder women was minority. The mains results point that the productions focused on sexual symptoms and sexual pathologies assessments and quantification (as reduced libido, lubrication and orgasm); these productions also point out the importance of broad analyses that include the biological, psychological, social, cultural and personals aspects of elder women sexuality. We highlight the need for more research with mixed approaches exclusively to elder women to broaden the comprehension of the repercussions of menopause to sexuality, endorsing clinical practice and social policies to th...

Concepção de mulheres idosas sobre a sexualidade na velhice

“…The decrease in libido is justified by the reduction in hormone production caused by menopause, the phase experienced by women at this stage of life, causing hormonal and metabolic variations that cause changes in the body, such as decreased vaginal lubrication at the time of intercourse. 5 This aspect was clarified in P6's report From that time to today, the woman no longer has that horny she had, she feels the dryness through menopause, you lose your will because of it and all this influences the relationship in old age. (P6, 61 years old, married) It is noteworthy that, coupled with these hormonal changes, erectile dysfunction of partners was pointed as a hindrance to sexual practice.…”

“…9 It is important to understand that sexuality is a necessity of the elderly, so it is necessary to recognize the aging of the body, accept the changes caused by this factor and seek strategies to deal with the limitations. 5 It is clear that the family must offer support and support in the face of difficulties faced by older people that may interfere with their sex life.…”

“…4 It is noteworthy that the quality of female aging is compromised by the inequalities and disadvantages existing in family and professional environments to which women are exposed throughout their lives. 5 The importance of specific and integral attention to this portion of the population is evidenced in order to provide successful aging, especially to women who, despite living longer, are not necessarily living better. 6 There are demands in the search for active aging, as well as needs little explored by older people, such as attending socialization spaces to share their experiences, make new friends and remain valued and free to fully express their sexuality, deconstructing the vision of dependence and fragility.…”

The dialogic educational pathway as a strategy of care with elderly women in sexuality

“…2 Regarding elderly women, the domestication of female behavior in the past decades must be considered, coupled with the conception that the elderlies are asexual. 3 This reality implies insufficient health care in this area and needs to be overcome, since sexuality in aging is usually neglected by health professionals due to the lack of preparation and appreciation of the young, healthy and sexually active body in our culturereinforcement for the prejudice towards sexuality in aging as well as its wider understanding. [3][4][5] Currently, this scenario makes it evident and necessary the insertion of health actions that contemplate a positive view on aging, 6,7 among which nursing care is highlighted, in which educational practices are inherent.…”

“…3 This reality implies insufficient health care in this area and needs to be overcome, since sexuality in aging is usually neglected by health professionals due to the lack of preparation and appreciation of the young, healthy and sexually active body in our culturereinforcement for the prejudice towards sexuality in aging as well as its wider understanding. [3][4][5] Currently, this scenario makes it evident and necessary the insertion of health actions that contemplate a positive view on aging, 6,7 among which nursing care is highlighted, in which educational practices are inherent. In this context, the dialogic and emancipatory approaches to health education are configured as innovative care strategies because they are a health promotion tool.…”