Sexuality in Menopausal Women: A Reflection from Primary Health Care

Abstract

Introduction: Sexuality occupies an important part of the life of all human beings. Women are sexed beings from birth and have the right to enjoy sexuality. Climacteric stage does not imply the disappearance of sexuality for them, despite some criteria that consider that, in this stage, women do not have adequate physiological capacity for sexual behaviors.
Objectives: To describe the main elements of the sexual education process that the Basic Health Team, made up of the doctor and the community nurse, must carry out in relation to sexuality in climacteric women, as well as guide them on the physiological changes in the menopausal stage.
Data analysis: An extensive review of the bibliography on the subject was carried out, where behavior is reflected over time, about the myths and realities of sexuality of women during their climacteric stage. It is assessed how health professionals should act in the face of the doubts they express and how they are affected in different spheres of daily life.
Endocrinologists and gynecologists have focused their research on determining which symptoms can be attributed to estrogen deficiency, however, specialists from the social sciences have maintained that the symptoms of middle age are more affected by sociocultural and psychological factors, which play an important role in the response of women to biological changes. It is argued that many of the flawed beliefs standing in relation to the sexuality of women at this stage of life have appeared in the lack of information in which the Basic Health Team plays a fundamental role.
Conclusions: The Basic Health Team of Primary Care occupies a privileged position within the community to offer excellent health education, through which the normal changes of sexuality in the climacteric stage are understood. This team is trained to educate women in this period, where sexuality can be pleasant, with proper enjoyment in their relationship.