Autoimagem no climatério: a percepção de mulheres e o papel da educação em saúde na prática de enfermagem

Abstract

The climacteric is a period marked by intense physical, emotional, and psychosocial changes in a woman’s life, often impacting her self-image perception. In this context, health education plays a fundamental role in welcoming and promoting women’s well-being and autonomy during this phase. This study aims to analyze, through an integrative literature review, women’s perception of their self-image during the climacteric, as well as the importance of health education actions conducted in this context. The search was performed in the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) databases, using the advanced search strategies: (self concept) OR (body image) AND (climacteric) OR (menopause). Nine articles were selected to compose the study, resulting in a body of research that highlights feelings of fragility and challenges related to body acceptance. Conversely, educational practices were identified that contribute to strengthening self-esteem, reclaiming autonomy, and building more humanized care. It is concluded that nursing, through health education, has an essential role in redefining women’s self-image, promoting comprehensive, sensitive, and needs-centered care for this population.