Amaral MT1, Zanetti M1, Santos M1, Guidorzi N1, Manis C1, Domingos H1, Campelo da Silva AP1, Oliveira L1, Scudeller T1
1Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, Brazil
Background: Latin American countries, is undergoing an accelerated and intense population aging process. It is expected that Brazil will represent one of the largest populations of older people in the world, with an increase in the number of people over 60 years old by 14% by 2025 (IBGE, 2010).
In the woman´s life, climacteric is a period that represents the transition between the reproductive and non-reproductive phases, characterizing the beginning of the aging process. This period precedes the menopause that often occurs around the age of 50 years (PINTO-NETO, COSTA-PAIVA & FONSECHI-CARVASAN, 2003). Endocrine, biological and clinical changes occur in this period and are consequent to the decline of ovarian activity, leading to a variety of symptoms (WHO, 1981). These symptoms are due to vasomotor disorders, cardiovascular diseases, disorders of the urogenital tract and bone metabolism, sexual dysfunction and cognitive decline.
Purpose: To verify the influence of a physiotherapeutic protocol (PP) on the symptoms, quality of life and sexual function of climacteric women.
Methods: Quasi- experimental study, with before and after approach, with each woman controlling herself. Were invited to participate 58 volunteers between 47 to 65 years old with climacteric symptoms. Exclusion criteria were: the use of hormone therapy, physical, mental or cognitive limitations and interruption or consecutive absences during treatment. The volunteers answered to the Kupperman Menopausal Index, the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire, and the FSFI Sexuality Questionnaire before and after the intervention. The protocol (PP) lasted 3 months, consisted of group exercises supervised by a physiotherapist once a week, which included general strengthening, stretching, pelvic floor and balance exercises. In addition, women were instructed to perform the same exercises at home, following a booklet about the exercises and guidelines for minimizing menopausal symptoms.
Results: Eighteen women completed the PP and presented and were 55.22 (± 5.05) years old, the majority of whom were obese or overweight (61.2%). The intensity of the menopausal symptoms evaluated by the Kupperman Menopausal Index presented a decrease from 23.89 (± 12.25) to 19.61 (± 10.61) points with p = 0.004. Regarding quality of life, there was significant improvement for all domains: Functional Capacity (p = 0.001); Limitation by Physical Aspects (p = 0.001); Pain (p = 0.006); General Health Status (p = 0.02); Vitality (p = 0.043); Limitation by Social Aspects (p = 0.001); Limitation by Emotional Aspects (p = 0.037) and Mental Health (p = 0.004). The score for sexual function was the same before (16.64 ±10.73) and after (17.35±12.96) with p= 0,742.
Conclusion(s): The application of this PP was effective for the improvement of climacteric symptoms and quality of life but did not alter the sexual function of the women.
Implications: The results of this study show that the use of an exercise booklet in association with physiotherapist guidance and supervision are resources that can be easily inserted in health services. This strategy could facilitate the demands to the physiotherapist, with very low cost for the system.
Keywords: climateric, sexual function, exercises
Funding acknowledgements: None
In the woman´s life, climacteric is a period that represents the transition between the reproductive and non-reproductive phases, characterizing the beginning of the aging process. This period precedes the menopause that often occurs around the age of 50 years (PINTO-NETO, COSTA-PAIVA & FONSECHI-CARVASAN, 2003). Endocrine, biological and clinical changes occur in this period and are consequent to the decline of ovarian activity, leading to a variety of symptoms (WHO, 1981). These symptoms are due to vasomotor disorders, cardiovascular diseases, disorders of the urogenital tract and bone metabolism, sexual dysfunction and cognitive decline.
Purpose: To verify the influence of a physiotherapeutic protocol (PP) on the symptoms, quality of life and sexual function of climacteric women.
Methods: Quasi- experimental study, with before and after approach, with each woman controlling herself. Were invited to participate 58 volunteers between 47 to 65 years old with climacteric symptoms. Exclusion criteria were: the use of hormone therapy, physical, mental or cognitive limitations and interruption or consecutive absences during treatment. The volunteers answered to the Kupperman Menopausal Index, the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire, and the FSFI Sexuality Questionnaire before and after the intervention. The protocol (PP) lasted 3 months, consisted of group exercises supervised by a physiotherapist once a week, which included general strengthening, stretching, pelvic floor and balance exercises. In addition, women were instructed to perform the same exercises at home, following a booklet about the exercises and guidelines for minimizing menopausal symptoms.
Results: Eighteen women completed the PP and presented and were 55.22 (± 5.05) years old, the majority of whom were obese or overweight (61.2%). The intensity of the menopausal symptoms evaluated by the Kupperman Menopausal Index presented a decrease from 23.89 (± 12.25) to 19.61 (± 10.61) points with p = 0.004. Regarding quality of life, there was significant improvement for all domains: Functional Capacity (p = 0.001); Limitation by Physical Aspects (p = 0.001); Pain (p = 0.006); General Health Status (p = 0.02); Vitality (p = 0.043); Limitation by Social Aspects (p = 0.001); Limitation by Emotional Aspects (p = 0.037) and Mental Health (p = 0.004). The score for sexual function was the same before (16.64 ±10.73) and after (17.35±12.96) with p= 0,742.
Conclusion(s): The application of this PP was effective for the improvement of climacteric symptoms and quality of life but did not alter the sexual function of the women.
Implications: The results of this study show that the use of an exercise booklet in association with physiotherapist guidance and supervision are resources that can be easily inserted in health services. This strategy could facilitate the demands to the physiotherapist, with very low cost for the system.
Keywords: climateric, sexual function, exercises
Funding acknowledgements: None
Topic: Women's & men's pelvic health
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Federal University of São Paulo
Ethics committee: Federal University of São Paulo CAEE
Ethics number: 1325903
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
