Assessment of Sexual Quality of Life and Menopausal Symptoms in a Vulnerable Population

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5020/18061230.2026.17035

Keywords:

Menopause, Sexual Health, Women’s Health, Quality of Life, Vulnerability

Abstract

Objective: To assess sexual quality of life and the impact of menopause among women receiving care during a volunteer outreach expedition in the city of Conde, state of Paraíba, Brazil. Method: This observational, cross-sectional, quantitative study included 50 women at different stages of the climacteric and menopause. The validated Sexual Quality of Life – Female (SQoL-F) and Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) instruments were administered through individual interviews. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26.0, employing nonparametric tests with a significance level of 5%. Results: The mean age of the participants was 46.18 years. Most were single (70%) and had two children (88%). The mean SQoL-F score was 85.3, indicating a favorable perception of sexual quality of life, whereas the mean MRS score was 26.1, suggesting climacteric symptoms of moderate severity, particularly in the somatovegetative and psychological domains. Women younger than 50 years presented higher SQoL-F scores. However, no significant associations were found between MRS scores and sociodemographic or reproductive variables. Furthermore, no correlation was observed between symptom severity and sexual quality of life. Conclusion: Despite experiencing a considerable symptom burden, participants maintained a positive perception of their sexuality, influenced by subjective and cultural factors. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive, humanized, and culturally sensitive care strategies, as well as the use of validated assessment tools, to support clinical practice and public policies focused on women's health during the climacteric period.

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Author Biographies

Sofia Liz Gutierrez, São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras, São Paulo, Brazil

Eighth-semester medical student at São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras, São Paulo, Brazil, supported by a full scholarship. During her undergraduate training, she participated in academic medical events, student leagues, and volunteer activities, including the Students Without Borders: On the Road expedition in 2025 and the second edition of the Sharing Health initiative in 2026. She currently serves as Scientific Director of the Academic League of Gynecology and Obstetrics. She also serves as Director of Scientific Projects for the 8th administration of the Student Association, vice class representative, and member of the organizing committee of the Clinical Focus extension course at São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras.

Giannina Fernandes de Carvalho Juliatti, São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras, São Paulo, Brazil

Medical student at São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras, São Paulo, Brazil.

Camilly de Cássia Carbinatto, São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras, São Paulo, Brazil

Medical student at São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras, São Paulo, Brazil.

Dyana Carolina Teixeira Trevisan, São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras, São Paulo, Brazil

Tenth-semester medical student at São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras, São Paulo, Brazil. Founder and former President of the Academic League of Head and Neck Surgery (LACCP-SLMA). Served as Scientific Director of the 5th administration of the Narcisio Gomes Student Association (2022-2023). Founder and current President of the Academic League of Urology and Genitourinary Diseases at São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras.

Bárbara Bueno Pereira, São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras, São Paulo, Brazil

Medical student at São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras, currently enrolled in the seventh academic semester and supported by a full scholarship through the More Doctors Program. She serves as Local Director for Health, Sexual and Reproductive Rights, including HIV/AIDS. She is President of the Academic League of Oncologic Surgery and founder and Vice President of the Academic League of Health Systems and Human Rights at São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras.

Silvio Martins de Oliveira, São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras, São Paulo, Brazil

Registered Nurse graduated from Universidade Brasil (2008), with professional experience in emergency care and healthcare management. Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing from the University of Ribeirão Preto (2010); Prehospital Emergency Nursing from Hermínio Ometto University Center (2012); Aerospace Nursing Rescue, Removal, and Air Transport from Hermínio Ometto University Center (2015); and Occupational Health Nursing from the same institution (2016). He is currently pursuing a medical degree at São Leopoldo Mandic University Center, Araras campus, integrating theoretical and practical training focused on clinical competencies, critical reasoning, and multidisciplinary practice, further expanding his academic and professional background in healthcare.

Nathália Carbinatti Franzini, São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras, São Paulo, Brazil

Physician registered under CRM-SP 146,060. Graduated in Medicine from the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (2010). Completed residency training in Internal Medicine at the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (2011-2013) and Nephrology at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) (2013-2015), obtaining board certification from the Brazilian Society of Nephrology. She currently practices in the Departments of Nephrology and Internal Medicine at Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Araras and serves as a preceptor in the Internal Medicine Residency Program. She worked as a nephrologist in São Paulo and surrounding regions through Transrim and also practiced in intensive care units until October 2018. Since 2018, she has been affiliated with São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras, as a professor of Clinical Skills and Nephrology.

Naila Albertina de Oliveira, São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras, São Paulo, Brazil

Graduated in Nursing from the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUC-Campinas, 2009). Specialist in Quality Management Systems (ONA) from the University of Campinas (UNICAMP, 2011). Master of Science (2015) and PhD in Science (2018) from the University of São Paulo (USP). Her research has focused on medicinal plants, thermogenic bioactive compounds, extraction of active compounds from oils, and in vivo toxicological studies investigating the anti-inflammatory properties of medicinal oils and extracts. Her work includes applications in wound dressings and the evaluation of medicinal plants listed in the National List of Medicinal Plants of Interest to the Unified Health System (RENISUS) for the treatment of skin lesions and prevention of pressure injuries. She has clinical nursing experience in cardiology, public health, pharmacology, emergency care, and critical care, employing nursing theoretical and methodological frameworks. Her current research focuses on Clinical Nursing Care in Public Health, particularly wound care, pressure injury prevention, and the use of Brazilian medicinal plants. She is currently an Associate Professor in the medical program at São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Araras and Limeira campuses, São Paulo, Brazil.

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Published

2026-05-29

How to Cite

Gutierrez, S. L., Juliatti, G. F. de C., Carbinatto, C. de C., Trevisan, D. C. T., Pereira, B. B., de Oliveira, S. M., … de Oliveira, N. A. (2026). Assessment of Sexual Quality of Life and Menopausal Symptoms in a Vulnerable Population . Brazilian Journal in Health Promotion, 39, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.5020/18061230.2026.17035

Issue

Vol. 39 (2026)

Section

Original Article

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Copyright (c) 2026 Sofia Liz Gutierrez, Giannina Fernandes de Carvalho Juliatti, Camilly de Cássia Carbinatto, Dyana Carolina Teixeira Trevisan, Bárbara Bueno Pereira, Silvio Martins de Oliveira, Nathália Carbinatti Franzini, Naila Albertina de Oliveira

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