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CC BY 4.0 · Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet 2022; 44(10): 962-971
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1756312
Review Article

Management Strategies for Sexuality Complaints after Gynecologic Cancer: A Systematic Review

Estratégias para enfrentamento de queixas da sexualidade após câncer ginecológico: uma revisão sistemática
Luciane Machado Pizetta 
1   Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica Celso Suckow da Fonseca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
,
Augusto da Cunha Reis 
1   Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica Celso Suckow da Fonseca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
,
Mirian Picinini Méxas 
2   Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
,
Vanessa de Almeida Guimarães 
1   Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica Celso Suckow da Fonseca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
,
Carmen Lucia de Paula 
1   Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica Celso Suckow da Fonseca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Abstract

Objective To explore the main sexuality complaints of gynecologic cancer survivors after treatment and to identify the care strategies provided.

Data Source Searches were conducted in six electronic databases: Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, and EMBASE.

Study Selection Articles published between 2010 and 2020 were selected and the following descriptors were used in the English language: female genital neoplasms and gynaecological cancer. The methodological quality of the studies used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

Data Collection The primary data extracted were: names of the authors, year of publication, country of origin, objective and type of study, data collection instrument, sample size and age range, types of cancer, and symptoms affected with the strategies adopted.

Data Summary A total of 34 out of 2,536 screened articles were included. The main strategies found for patient care were patient-clinician communication, practices for sexuality care, individualized care plan, multiprofessional team support, and development of rehabilitation programs. For sexuality care, the most common practices are pelvic physiotherapy sessions and the use of vaginal gels and moisturizers.

Conclusion The main complaints identified in the scientific literature were low libido and lack of interest in sexual activity, vaginal dryness, pain during sexual intercourse, and stenosis. Different care strategies may be adopted, such as follow-up with a multidisciplinary health team and sexual health rehabilitation programs, which could minimize these symptoms and ensure the quality of life of patients.

Resumo

Objetivo Explorar as principais queixas da sexualidade com sobreviventes de câncer ginecológico após o tratamento e identificar as estratégias de cuidados prestados.

Fonte dos Dados As buscas foram realizadas em seis bases eletrônicas: Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, MEDLINE, PsychINFO e EMBASE.

Seleção dos Estudos Foram selecionados artigos publicados entre 2010 e 2020 e os descritores utilizados (em inglês) foram female genital neoplasms e gynaecological cancer. A qualidade metodológica dos estudos utilizou a ferramenta Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

Coleta de Dados Os principais dados extraídos foram: nomes dos autores, ano de publicação, país de origem, objetivo e tipo de estudo, instrumento para coleta de dados, tamanho da amostra e faixa etária, tipos de câncer, os sintomas acometidos e as estratégias adotadas.

Síntese dos Dados Dos 2,536 artigos identificados, 34 foram incluídos. As principais estratégias encontradas para os cuidados aos pacientes foram a comunicação paciente-médico, práticas para os cuidados sexuais, plano de cuidados individualizado, apoio a equipes multiprofissionais e desenvolvimento de programas de reabilitação. Para os cuidados de sexualidade, as práticas mais comuns são sessões de fisioterapia pélvica e o uso de géis vaginais e hidratantes.

Conclusão As principais queixas identificadas na literatura científica foram baixa libido e falta de interesse na atividade sexual, secura vaginal, dor durante a relação sexual e estenose. Diferentes estratégias de cuidados podem ser adotadas, como o acompanhamento com uma equipe de saúde multidisciplinar e programas de reabilitação da saúde sexual, as quais poderiam minimizar estes sintomas e garantir a qualidade de vida dos pacientes.

Keywords

survivors - gynecological cancer - sexuality - supportive care needs

Palavras-chave

sobreviventes - câncer ginecológico - sexualidade - suporte de necessidades de cuidados

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 20 October 2021

Accepted: 07 July 2022

Article published online:
29 September 2022

© 2022. Federação Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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