ORGANIZATION OF HEALTHCARE FOR WOMEN WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM.

Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological condition characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, which can cause intense pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and fertility-related difficulties. In addition to clinical repercussions, the disease can have a significant impact on women's quality of life, affecting physical, emotional, and social dimensions. In the context of health systems, challenges related to late diagnosis, difficulties in accessing specialized services, and the organization of care within the health care network stand out. OBJECTIVE: To analyze, based on the scientific literature, the organization of health care for women with endometriosis, with emphasis on the challenges related to diagnosis, access to health services, and care strategies in the context of the public health network. METHODOLOGY: This is an integrative literature review, with a qualitative and descriptive approach. The search was conducted in the PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, and Google Scholar databases, using controlled descriptors from DeCS and MeSH, combined using the Boolean operators AND and OR. Articles published between 2020 and 2025, available in full text in Portuguese or English, and addressing aspects related to endometriosis, diagnosis, women's health, and care organization were considered. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria and reading the full texts, 18 studies were selected for analysis. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The literature review showed that endometriosis has significant impacts on women's quality of life, especially due to chronic pain and the emotional and social repercussions associated with the disease. It was also observed that delays in diagnosis constitute one of the main challenges faced by patients, frequently related to the normalization of menstrual pain, limited knowledge about the disease, and difficulties in the early identification of symptoms by healthcare professionals. Furthermore, weaknesses in the organization of the healthcare network, such as a shortage of specialized professionals, difficulties in carrying out diagnostic tests, and inequalities in access to services, contribute to prolonging the therapeutic journey for women and amplifying the impacts of the disease. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: It is concluded that tackling endometriosis requires not only advances in the clinical field, but also improvements in the organization of health services and the strengthening of public policies aimed at women's health. The qualification of health professionals, the expansion of access to diagnosis and treatment, and the strengthening of multidisciplinary action are fundamental strategies to promote more comprehensive, humanized, and effective care for women affected by the disease.