WOMEN'S HEALTH IN THE CLIMACTERIC: NEEDS, VULNERABILITIES, AND PERSPECTIVES ON CARE

Abstract

The climacteric is the transition from the reproductive to the non-reproductive phase of a woman's life and may affect her physical, emotional, and social health. This study aimed to analyze the health needs, vulnerabilities, and care perspectives of climacteric women described in the scientific literature. This is an integrative review conducted between January and March 2026 in the CINAHL, Scopus, SciELO, LILACS, and PubMed databases, using DeCS descriptors combined with the Boolean operator AND and following the PRISMA recommendations. Twenty articles were included, and their level of evidence was classified according to the Joanna Briggs Institute. The findings were organized into three themes: clinical manifestations and quality of life; vulnerabilities, sexuality, and social determinants; and health education and organization of care. Observational studies with level 4 evidence predominated. Vasomotor, psychological, and urogenital symptoms, lifestyle, educational level, family relationships, and sexuality influenced quality of life, whereas health education actions helped women cope with this phase. Weaknesses were identified in Primary Health Care, such as limited professional training. In conclusion, care for climacteric women should be comprehensive, equitable, and humanized, and studies with greater methodological rigor are needed.