NURSING PERFORMANCE IN THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF ENDOMETRIOSIS

Abstract

Introduction: Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which endometrial tissue develops lesions outside the uterus, resulting in internal bleeding, inflammation, fibrosis, and adhesion formation. It is a common inflammatory disease characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue in sites outside the uterus, mainly in the pelvic region. It generally affects women of childbearing age, from adolescence to menopause. Nursing professionals are often responsible for identifying the condition, establishing the first contact with the patient, and referring her for specialized medical evaluation. Objective: to analyze the role of nursing in the early diagnosis of endometriosis. Methodology: this is an integrative review of the literature, guided by the question: What is the role of nursing in the early diagnosis of endometriosis? It was carried out using the following databases: Lilacs, medline, bdenf, and SCIELO. The descriptors used were: “nursing care”; “endometriosis”; “early diagnosis”. For this purpose, the following inclusion criteria were used: full articles, in Spanish, Portuguese and English, with a time range of the last five years (2019 to 2024). And for exclusion criteria: monographs, theses, dissertations, academic papers and journals. After identifying and searching for relevant articles, the abstracts were analyzed and reviewed, then the data were organized into tables and charts and discussed. Results and discussion: the study analyzes the difficulties in defining the role of nurses in the care of women with endometriosis, highlighting the lack of knowledge about specific protocols for early diagnosis. Physical examination is essential to suspect the disease, since the identification of nodules and pelvic alterations is crucial for diagnosis. Understanding the needs of the population and the comprehensive performance of nursing are essential to promote an environment of trust and acceptance. Health education and team collaboration are essential for effective monitoring, especially in Primary Health Care. Conclusion: Nursing is essential in the care of women with endometriosis, contributing to early diagnosis and promoting humanized care in Primary Health Care. Professional training and health education are essential to improve the quality of life of these patients and overcome diagnostic challenges.