SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

 
vol.11 issue2Early relational experiences, vulnerability to stress, coping styles and adjustment to the decision and experience of induced abortionPregnancy interruption due to congenital malformation: the woman's perspective author indexsubject indexarticles search
Home Pagealphabetic serial listing  

Services on Demand

Journal

Article

Indicators

Related links

  • Have no similar articlesSimilars in SciELO

Share


Psicologia, Saúde & Doenças

Print version ISSN 1645-0086

Abstract

VILA, Ana Carolina Dias; VANDENBERGHE, Luc  and  SILVEIRA, Nusa de Almeida. The experience of infertility and endometriosis: suggestions for health professional. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2010, vol.11, n.2, pp.219-228. ISSN 1645-0086.

This study discusses aspects of the daily life of patients with endometriosis. It considers life habits related to endometriosis and the feelings of women confronted with the diagnosis and the treatment. Data were collected in a sample of 40 women with diagnosis of endometriosis, through a selection of patient files and through interviews. Exposure to toxic substances was high in this sample. More than half of the participants did not practice sufficient physical activity. The diets of many patients lacked vitamin E, C and fibras. Insecurity and anxiety were the main feelings when receiving the diagnosis, but, once the treatment started, positive emotions predominated. The most frequent sources of emotional support that helped the women to live through the treatment were: faith, the partner and the family. Health professionals need to pay attention to the destructive impact of cultural prejudices. They need to help the patient cope with her insecurity, anxiety, sadness and fear during the diagnostic process. They must provide coaching concerning life style changes and questions related to exposure to toxic substances. And they also need to help sustain both the patient’s positive emotional responses to treatment and her partner’s support during treatment.

Keywords : Endometriosis; infertility; environmental factors; feminine experience.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )