Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40979542›Full record

ReviewEuropean journal of midwifery2025

Women's experiences of their sexuality during their menopausal transition and the support offered to them by healthcare providers: A systematic review and meta-synthesis.

Amanda Calvin, Sarah Cina, Ulrika Byrskog, Kerstin Erlandsson, Catrin Borneskog

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in European journal of midwifery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Amanda CalvinSchool of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden.
Sarah CinaSchool of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden.
Ulrika ByrskogSchool of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden.
Kerstin ErlandssonSchool of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden.
Catrin BorneskogSchool of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionMenopause can significantly impact women's sexuality and sexual health, yet knowledge gaps among healthcare practitioners is a barrier to adequate support. Research on women's issues is less prioritized and limited funds are invested in studying female sexuality. In addition, women may feel hesitant to seek medical assistance for sexual health concerns during menopause due to lack of knowledge or societal taboos.

methodsThis is a meta-synthesis of qualitative research on women's experiences of their sexuality during the menopausal transition and the support offered by healthcare providers. Data collection was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. A total of 21 qualitative studies from diverse cultural contexts, including Lebanon, Iran, Sweden/Chile, Spain, UK, Ireland, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, USA, China, Malaysia, and Taiwan, were synthesized, encompassing 610 participants.

resultsWomen's experiences of sexuality during menopause are highly individualized and influenced by relationship dynamics, sexual autonomy, and personal perceptions of menopause. The synthesis also highlighted a common concern: women reported a lack of adequate healthcare support, knowledge, and targeted treatments to address their sexual well-being during this period.

conclusionsMenopause can profoundly affect women's health, sexuality, and quality of life. For women to make informed choices regarding menopausal healthcare, extended knowledge, education, destigmatisation, and access to healthcare are essential. This synthesis underscores the critical need for enhanced education and interdisciplinary collaboration within healthcare systems.

Indexed as

healthcareinformed choicemenopauseperimenopausesexualitysupport

Identifiers

PMID40979542
PMCPMC12445056

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.