ENDOMETRIOSIS AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue lining the uterine cavity, the endometrium, to other parts of the body, mainly the abdomen, as well as ovaries, uterine ligaments, bladder and intestine. Women with endometriosis may be asymptomatic or present complaints of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain or even infertility. This disease significantly interferes in the professional, social and marital life of the carriers, thus affecting their quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the quality of life of women after the diagnosis of endometriosis. METHOD: This research is an Integrative Review that seeks to analyze how Endometriosis can influence the quality of life of women with this pathology. Data collection was carried out through the Virtual Health Library (BVS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO), Nursing Database (BDenf) and Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) databases, using the Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS): Endometriosis; quality of life. For the inclusion criteria, articles published between 2011 and 2024 were accepted, with a time interval of twelve years; articles duplicated in more than one database and those that were not aligned with the proposed research theme were excluded. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: As demonstrated in this research, endometriosis profoundly impacts several aspects of women's lives, significantly compromising their quality of life. The disease limits the performance of daily activities and negatively affects their interpersonal relationships. In addition to physical symptoms, it also has a significant effect on the mental health of patients, contributing to the emergence of anxiety and depression. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the experience with endometriosis, its consequences and the difficulties associated with diagnosis and treatment influence several aspects of the social, sexual, emotional and professional life of affected women. Thus, this condition can significantly impair the quality of life of patients who deal with it.