Estágio menopausal e níveis hormonais no desenvolvimento muscular e funcional em mulheres de meia idade: um estudo transversal

Introduction: Hypoestrogenism is the main characteristic of female aging. It promotes significant changes in body composition, both in fat mass as in lean body mass, leading to a decrease in muscle strength and physical performance. Objective: The aim of this study was to test whether menopausal status and hormone levels are associated with muscular strength and physical performance in middle-aged women. Methods: In a cross-sectional study it was collected sociodemographic data, gynecological history, anthropometric and biochemical measures in women aged 40 to 65 years in Parnamirim-RN. The menopause status (pre, peri and post menopause) was determined by menstrual history. All women underwent three dimensions of physical performance assessment: handgrip dynamometry, gait speed and chair stands test - Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Categorical data were presented as absolute and relative frequencies. Quantitative data were showed as mean and standard deviation and the normality of distribution was verified with Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test. Biochemical measures of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were transformed to log10. ANOVA with Tukey post-test for comparison of variables between the groups pre, peri and post-menopausal was performed and then multiple linear regression analyzes. Results: Two hundred and seventy eight women aged 50.2 (±5.58) years composed this study, being 50 women in premenopausal status (18%), 122 in perimenopausal (43.9%), and 106 postmenopausal stage (38.1%). The groups were different in age (p=0.001), marital relationship duration (p <0.001), number of pregnancies (p=0.001) and parity (p=0.001). Differences in biochemical measures were observed among the groups: estradiol (p<0.001), FSH (p<0.001), total cholesterol (p=0.001). There were no differences in gait velocity between menopausal status. Values in mean of grip strength decreased by postmenopausal women to perimenopausal and premenopausal ones (24.5 ± 5.1, 25.6 ± 5.4, 26.9 ± 4.9 for post-stage, pre and peri menopausas, respectively, p = 0.02) and the performance of chair stands test was better in premenopausal women compared with that in peri and postmenopausal status (p = 0.02). In multiple linear regression for muscle strength, the variables that remained were: age, estradiol and somatic symptoms measured by Menopause Rating Scale-MRS (R2=0.15). While for the xiv chair-stands test the predictors were number of births and FSH values (R2=0.04). Conclusion: There is a relationship between the stages of menopause and muscle performance in measures of grip strength and sit-up test and these are influenced by the fall of estrogens levels. Data suggest that the decrease in muscle strength and physical performance already appear in the transition to menopause stage, pointing to the need for more research in this area and appropriate preventive interventions

Quando as mulheres se tornam mães: a história reprodutiva feminina numa visão evolucionista

In this thesis we tested evolutionary hypotheses, with empirically collected data, in a sample composed of pregnant Brazilian women. We consider that during pregnancy and soon after the baby's birth fundamental reproductive decisions take place, given the complete feminine involvement with the reproduction phenomenon. The results are presented in four empirical articles related to the history of female reproduction. The topics approached were mate selection, the life-history theory, the strategies of parental investment and postpartum depression. Data collection was accomplished through interviews with pregnant women and after the baby s birth, with a sample composed of women from two income classes (low income and middle class), in Natal, Brazil. With respect to mate selection, the results suggest that a real situation of reproductive mate selection shows significant differences when compared to the results obtained in studies involving potential mate selection (Article I). Considering the life-history theory, we have partially confirmed the hypothesis of the father`s absence influencing the development of the young female syndrome (Article II). In regard to parental investment strategies and the decrease of fatherhood uncertainty, we identified a larger attribution of the baby's resemblance after birth with the father, confirming our hypothesis (Article III). The results related to postpartum depression occurrence partially support the hypothesis that it is an evolutionary adaptation (Article IV). This thesis is part of a consolidation movement of Evolutionary Psychology in Brazil and it presents results on female reproductive history hitherto unpublished.

Interações físicas e psicossociais em mulheres com fibromialgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a non-inflammatory rheumatic syndrome of unknown etiology, with symptoms of diffuse musculoskeletal pain and presence of specific anatomic sites called tender points. The symptoms are often associated with fatigue, sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, alterations in pain perception, anxiety and depression. Fibromyalgia exhibits a correlation between physical and behavioral symptoms, which have a negative influence on the quality of life of patients. Emotional skills are important factors since they are related to subjective well-being, personal productivity, social interaction and interpersonal relationships. We aim to describe the physical and psychosocial interactions in women with FM, showing the association between perceived social support and affect with symptoms of pain, functionality and mood. We will also describe a body representation of pain in women with FM. Data were collected over 3 years and the sample size ranged between studies. This is an exploratory cross-sectional study conducted with a convenience sample of 63 women with FM and 42 healthy women as a control group (CT), aged 20-76 years, recruited through spontaneous demand at Onofre Lopes University Hospital (HUOL) and the Clinical School of Physiotherapy of Universidade Potiguar (UNP). The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Social Support Scale (MOS), Hamilton Anxiety Scale and Scale of Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), in addition to pressure algometry were used. For data analysis, we used parametric and non-parametric tests and a general linear model with adjustment variables and analysis of variance. A significant difference was found between pain threshold and tolerance, functionality, depression, anxiety, social support, and positive and negative affect between the groups. Affective states and social support were associated with anxiety, depression and functionality. A body was drawn representing pain with higher incidences in trapeze, supraspinatus and second ribs. The reason for studying sensory aspects, affective behavior and social support in FM patients opens perspectives for scientific and clinical research of this syndrome. Women with chronic pain such as FM appear to have altered mood states, less social support and affective dysfunctions, influencing the other symptoms of the syndrome

Comportamento de parâmetros fisiológicos de homens e mulheres em condições de estresse laboral submetidos à técnica Watsu

The physiological variations of parameters in situations of laboral stress can function like indicator in the sprouting of disorder. Those conditions have led researchers to investigate alternatives that can favor the quality of life in persons under stress laboral. The present research had as objectives investigate the physiological behavior of parameters (blood pressure, heart hat and respiratory hat) of men and women in condition of stress laboral submitted to the technique Watsu. It was used a experimental methodology with a group formed by men and women in reproductive age, that work as salesclerk in a supermarket net in Natal/RN. The seven individuals selected were submitted to the three phases of the study (dependent groups), that consisted of the phase 1 of obtaining from the measure basal (control 1), in the phase 2 of immersion in the water (control 2), and phase 3 from the application the technique Watsu (experimental phase). It was verified that during the phase basal (condition 1) the physiological parameters (BPS, BPD, HH and RH) of both sexes evaluated showed the medium values of the women (average±detour-standard: BSP = 104.1±7.92; BPD = 70.83 ±7.92; HH = 77.58 ±3.87; RH = 19.83 ±2.58) similar those presented by the men (BPS = 118.75 ±7.55; BPD = 75.00 ±9.91; HH = 71.75 ±14.95; RH = 16.62 ±3.99). The evaluation of those parameters before and after immersion of the volunteers in the water (condition 2) showed a significant reduction (W = 3.0: p≤0.05) barely for the values of BPS presented by the sex females after immersion. In the men group, all of the physiological parameters analyzed did not vary significantly. Regarding the profile of those variables before and after application of the watsu (condition 3), was verified a significant increase (W= 0,0: p≤0.05) for the BPS one and SABP in the women. The Men did not show significant variation for all of the physiological parameters. Faced with the results presented, we are able to conclude that the systolic and diastolic blood pressures were the physiological parameters that are on influence from the Technique Watsu, only for the kind females

Avaliação do cortisol, dehidroepiandrosterona sulfato e dos perfis lipídico e imunológico e suas correlações com a sensibilidade dolorosa, depressão e funcionalidade em mulheres com fibromialgia na pós-menopausa

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a non-inflammatory rheumatic syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain with palpable tender points, muscle stiffness, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Patients with FM have hormonal changes that are directly correlated with symptoms of the syndrome. The neuroendocrine regulation may be impaired, with abnormalities in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis with various hormones showing changes in their levels. In women in fertile period, various gonadal hormones are associated with symptoms of the syndrome, but studies focusing only a population of women in post-menopausal period who do not use hormone replacement are rare. We developed an analytical cross sectional study to assess the plasma levels of cortisol and dehidroepiandrosterona sulfate (DHEA-S) with quimioluminescence method in a group of 17 women with FM and 19 healthy women in post-menopause who do not use hormone replacement and observe the correlation with the symptoms of pain through algometry, depression and physical functional capacity measured from the Beck Depression Index (BDI) and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Three blood samples were collected in the morning (between 8:00 9:30) with an interval of 24 hours for the measurements of hormonal levels and biochemical profile. There were no immunological or lipid changes in patients with FM. Comparing the two groups, there is no difference in levels of cortisol and a tangential effect for DHEA-S (p=0,094) with the lowest levels in the FM. DHEA-S also correlated with pain threshold (r=0,7) and tolerance (r=0,65) in group FM. We found the presence of depressive state and low physical functional capacity in FM. It was also evident that women in post-menopausal period, DHEA-S should influence the symptoms of increased sensitivity to pain, but not the presence of depressive status and low physical functional

Seleção conjugal e as mulheres re-casadas no mercado de casamentos em uma comunidade de baixa renda no nordeste brasileiro

A presente pesquisa partiu de uma revisão teórica dos assuntos relacionados à seleção sexual proposta por Charles Darwin, passando para evolução dos sistemas e da psicologia do acasalamento humano. Os estudos práticos, divididos em dois momentos, foram coletados numa comunidade litorânea de baixa renda no nordeste brasileiro, na qual as mulheres tiveram pelo menos duas uniões estáveis até a data da coleta, no ano de 2008. Nas primeiras análises, foram contempladas as expectativas dessas mulheres em relação aos atributos dos parceiros. E posteriormente, o perfil e valor das mesmas entraram em perspectiva. De uma forma geral, foi constatado que as mulheres, no primeiro casamento, de fato realizam matrimônios com parceiros mais parecidos com o que consideram ideal do que os posteriores. Assim como as segundas e subseqüentes uniões apresentam uma ligeira queda no valor (no mercado de casamentos) desses homens quando comparados aos primeiros companheiros levando em consideração indicadores biosocioeconômicos como idade, escolaridade e renda (status socioeconômico).

Disfunção sexual feminina e níveis dos hormônios esteroidais em mulheres obesas atendidas no ambulatório de cirurgia bariátrica do hospital universitário Onofre Lopes em Natal/RN

A disfunção sexual corresponde a alterações em uma ou mais fases da resposta sexual humana e apresenta maior prevalência na população feminina. Ademais, a participação de alguns fatores como obesidade e níveis dos hormônios esteroidais na disfunção sexual feminina (DSF) permanece incerta. O presente estudo deteve-se na análise da ocorrência de DSF numa população de mulheres portadoras de obesidade, cadastradas no Ambulatório de Cirurgia Bariátrica do Hospital Universitário Onofre Lopes, da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, no município de Natal, RN. O estudo foi realizado em uma amostra composta por trinta e uma mulheres, com idade entre 20 e 50 anos, com índice de massa corpórea (IMC) > 30 Kg/m2. A todas as pacientes foi aplicado um questionário composto por uma seção com dados socio-econômicos, e outra abordando a saúde sexual feminina, sendo esta última correspondente ao Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), para diagnóstico de DSF. A partir dessa caracterização, as pacientes foram reunidas nos grupos CD (pacientes com disfunção, n= 9) e SD (sem disfunção, n= 22). Para a análise do efeito da obesidade na DSF, as pacientes foram reunidas nos grupos 1 (6 pacientes com IMC grau I e II: entre 30 e 40 Kg/m2) e 2 (25 com IMC grau III: acima de 40). Para o estudo da participação dos hormônios esteroidais foram determinadas as concentrações séricas de cortisol, estradiol e dehidroepiandrosterona (DHEA) pelo método de quimiluminescência. A análise estatística dos dados foi realizada usando os testes ANOVA, MANOVA (Pillai), além de análise de Cluster. Para identificar as diferenças entre os domínios do FSFI, foi usado o teste T de Student. A significância considerada para todos os testes foi para p< 0,01. Das pacientes estudadas, 25,8% apresentaram DSF de acordo com o escore total do FSFI. A análise estatística posterior evidenciou que as diferenças ocorreram para os domínios desejo, excitação e orgasmo. Não foi encontrada relação da presença de DSF com os diferentes graus de obesidade ou com os níveis hormonais dos esteróides cortisol, estradiol ou DHEA. Contudo, foi encontrado aumento significativo nos níveis séricos de estradiol para o grupo 1, que corresponde ao de menor índice de IMC. Estes resultados mostram que a prevalência de DSF não diferiu entre os graus I,II e III de obesidade das pacientes deste estudo mas, quando presente, a disfunção ocorre nos domínios desejo, excitação e orgasmo. A maior concentração de estradiol encontrada nas pacientes de menor índice de IMC sugere uma possível relação entre as duas variáveis que precisa ser investigada em estudos futuros.

Não há você sem mim: histórias de mulheres sobreviventes de uma tentativa de homicídio

The murder-suicide (H / S) has been defined as a shocking crime in which a person takes the life of another and then kills himself within 24 hours. Set up as a gender violence, because men are in majority, the killers and the women victims. This study aims to understand the meanings of the experience of a H / S, from women who have survived this act. This study sets up as a hermeneutic phenomenological research, based on Heidegger`s ontology. We interviewed three survivors of H / S, whose narratives allowed to approach the senses present in their lives. The interviews were transcribed and interpreted in accordance with the hermeneutic circle, as proposed by Martin Heidegger. From the interviews of research participants perceive that these women have built their senses in stocks, represented the family foundation and the presence of a husband and children. This project that moved their lives toward the construction of modes-of-being. We noticed the presence of historicity constructing meanings for the existence of these women. We found reports of an experience of loving relationships characterized by strong jealousy, with the presence of fantasies of betrayal, and marked by a careful affective relationship that put them in the position of object possession of his companions. Reflect that such caring restricted their existence being-for-husband. So the senses that moved their stocks, which aimed his ways existential, was the creation of a family, a reference to their lives, to live a love, and care for the children. Therefore, beyond the already known aspects in studies on violence against women, which made these women continue to choose this relationship was the sense that they had for their existence. It is hoped that this study will contribute to the construction of a new look on violence against women, taking as a basis the Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenology

Do útero à adoção: a experiência de mulheres férteis que adotaram uma criança

Even with all changes and ruptures related to the social roles that woman had performed, the literature had confirmed that the motherhood still configures it like one of the main roles that she hopes to play in some moment of her life. When the woman did not get pregnant or take ahead a pregnancy, some women find in adoption an alternative to play this role. This research aimed to understand the experience of being mother for adoption in the case of fertile women, but whose partner is infertile. Supported by existential-phenomenological theory, used it the narrative, how methodological instrument. Participated five women, whose adoption process followed the legal ways in the Youngness and Infancy Judgeship of Natal/RN. The results showed that in the selfish training, the woman to see herself how whose role principal is to generate children, although, she think that is natural her participation in others activities go out home too. In male infertile case is a tendency that the woman strikes the infertile status too. The adoption is an alternative to fulfill her desire of being a mother and, meanwhile, please her husband and guarantee the continuity of her love relationship. Through motherly care, the woman discover herself as a mother, what brings a new meaning for her live, independent of to generate a child. Though, exit frustration, sometimes, in association with suffering, on account of the pregnancy and childbirth absence. The end of the research suggests reflections that to become fulfilled herself as mother, the woman does not need, necessarily, to generate a child, being the maternity one of the uncountable possibilities that are shown, and that she can choose, or not, accomplish it

A doença como ponto de mutação :os processos de significação em mulheres portadores de lúpus eritematoso sistêmico

Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is a chronic and auto-immune disease that can affect several systems of one´s body, including the nervous system, causing several clinical evidences, which can put in risk the person´s life. Although the illness could manifest itself at any age or sex, studies indicate higher incidence among women. Its etiology points to the combination of genetic, hormonal and environmental factors. Due to the disease´s complexity, it is evident that it affects all the person´s life as a whole and not only its organic dimension. It is believed that the signification attributed to all the process of sickening influences its treatment, as well as the person´s capacity to cope with the difficulties and implicit profits involved in the process.In this study, eight women who were affected by SLE were interviewed, with the aim of examining carefully the processes of signification as well as the generation of meanings which permeate these women´s sickening processes. The analysis of their speeches evidences distinct forms of giving meaning to the process, regardless of the time of the diagnosis. The fact that the disease is incurable was shocking to all the participants, and it demanded changes in their lives, in order to detain a relative control of their condition. The majority of the participants were able to deal with these modifications, since strategies have been created to face the difficulties and thus to preserve their social life, without damaging their health. However, some of the participants did not obtain strenght to cope with the disease, eventually developing a depressive state. It is observed that not only SLE has innumerable ways of manifestation, but the experience of the illness is very subjective and dynamic. There are also several ways of expressing this experience, according to the implications in the social, cultural and economic context where the participants are inserted. This ratifies the necessity of a interdisciplinary approach to embrace SLE complexity. (310 words, 1.610 characters)

Dependência química em mulheres :um estudo sobre o consumo de medicamentos ansiolíticos no serviço público de saúde de Natal/RN

This work was concerned to investigate the meaning attributed to anxiolytic drugs by women, in public health service. It proposes a joint analysis through a link between three dimensions: the woman, the drug, and public health service itself, in an hegemonic medical assistance model. It is observed that the relation between these elements has a great influence over the use and construction of a particular meaning, by the user. The medication is analysed as a consumption merchandise and as an health symbol. In this way, it reflects a biologized vision, which believes the drug as a solution for all health problems. It tries to analyse the generalized medical prescription for anxiolythics and it s consequences. It focalizes also the production and utilization of public health services by patients, mainly women. The question related to the use of anxiolytics and the meaning construted by women is analysed focusing the way that relations of masculine/feminine gender are organized in our society. At this point of view, it tries to understand the dimension that these questions have in subjectivity production, and how it acts in the health/disease process. Finally, this work tries to understand, in a broad sense, the use of anxiolytics looking at the problem not only as a biological question, but also as a cultural matter. The research was done over seventeen women, all of them anxiolytic users. It was used, as research instrument, semi-structured interview associated with methodological analysis of user s speeches

Compreensão da experiência do sofrimento de mulheres na relação amorosa

Our professional everyday life, as a psychologist, we often come across the narrative made by women of a permanent suffering experience in loving and sexual relation. This checking created questions which indicated to the questioned experience singularity, taking into account the historic and cultural aspects (genre and romantic love) that seemed to permeate such an experience. The conduction given to this research was guided by the following question: how is to the woman the experience of going on suffering on loving and sexual relation? Therefore, the objective was to understand that experience. Were carried out with six women that were living the experience which intend to investigate. The narrative, in according to the purposal by Walter Benjamin was the access tool to the experience. The narrative analysis shows the singularity of constant suffering experience on loving relation as well as common aspects. It is remarkable the presence of relative questions to the genre and romantic loving dimension, influencing the way as the interviewed women perceive themselves on the existence and realize the loving suffering which experience. Women reveal several ways of expressing and perceiving to the loving suffering which is common the manifestation of several physical and psychic symptoms. The most participants had experiences of protected familiar contact of feeling development of low self-esteem, disability, unstableness and fear. We realize that the suffering of interviewed women, on loving relation, it revels, above all, a way of being in the world, perveiving themselves, marked by solitude fear, lovelessness, leading the life itself giving origin to the lifestyle and of really new loving. Thus, we emphasize the importance of greater engagement of professionals and institutions which deal with the thematic this research in order to develop actions that consider its complexity. We also emphasize new reflections about the loving suffering so that different sense possibilities can emerge propitiating a greater comprehension of human subjectivity

Histórias de vida de mulheres idosas :um estudo sobre o bem-estar subjetivo na velhice

The elderly population growth in Brazil and in the world is an incontestable reality, arising from a significant declining rate in mortality and fertility, resulting from the remarkable improvements in the quality of life of the people. Associated with the introduction of new technologies in the medical area, these issues have been highly contributing for the increase of the population longevity. The numbers of the elderly in Brazil and in the world show female population predominance within the aging segment, a phenomenon known as the feminisation of the old-age . Aging, therefore, is nowadays one of the primary issues and that has been mobilizing the Brazilian s society, since the development raised from this new reality brought with it enormous challenges and complex social implications which are already felt in the daily lives of the societies. My work experience among some age groups has shown that aging is a much differentiated process which has instigated my interest in understanding why aging has to face an overwhelming and painful experience for some people and enriched and full of signification for others. Overviewing, this research aimed to understand the aging development through the analysis of the processes of signification and production of meaning that permeate the aging and the subjective well-being of three aged women participants of the Project Health and Citizenship on Third Age /CEFET-RN, that evidenced attitudes and behaviors concerning the integration and the activity toward the elderly population. The methodological strategy used was History of Life, starting from collecting data based on deep interviews. The analysis of data evidenced that the elderly well-being is a unique and distinct meaningful experience for each person, concerning each story of their lives within differentiated social, cultural, economic context, from this perspective one can demystify the concept of that aging occurs in a homogeneous way for everyone, everywhere and with the same rhythm. The narratives presented in this research showed the human development as being a dialectic, discursive and interactionist process which extends throughout the adult life and continues to the aging life. The guarantee that development and aging are a parallel phenomenon always in interdependence on the preceding phases of live, are corroborated within the studies. This present study confirms that the elderly population can be a phase of growth, personal realization and continued development, without disrespecting the heterogeneous and the subjectivity of the person who ages. Notifying those healthy and well-succeeded aging experiences, this issue has the intention to contribute to demystify the concept of aging as a social problem, illness needed to be treated, and the stereotypy of the elderly being dependent and unproductive

Mulheres em situação de violência e atenção em saúde mental: um estudo no município de Natal (RN)

The present study aims to meet the attention given to women with mental health needs in specialized services for the fight against violence against women, as well as psychosocial care network in the municipality of NatalRN. It is a qualitative research characterized as research-intervention that took place in the year 2011. The study started in the Centre of Reference in which individual semi-structured interviews were carried out directed to the coaching staff and manager, in order to know the care offered in relation to the aforementioned clientele. From the Reference Centre were identified through analysis of registration records, the routes traversed by users through the network of psychosocial care and hospital network. After the identification of the same were visited two day-care Centers, two psychiatric hospitals, a basic health Unit and the local shelter. In these organizations was investigated the reception and procedures offered to users in situations of violence, the knowledge of policies for women and the coordination with the attention to women, through interviews with semi-structured individual scripts directed to professionals. The interviews were analyzed taking as starting point the theoretical framework of French Institutional Analysis, which includes the assumption of events analysers for the critical reading of dimensions introduced in the practices of care of the teams that took part in the study. The survey results revealed difficulties on the part of the same host of users with this profile, both in the face of violence as services in mental health services. This fact led to the lack of support under the guarantee of their rights, ceasing the possibilities of confronting the situations of violence, as well as in the context of mental health care

As relações de gênero no trabalho: uma análise da inserção das mulheres e homens na rede de fast food

The purpose of this study was investigate the sexual division of the work in a chain of fast food, in Natal, RN. These aspects were analyzed with the ways of organization of the work, being made a case study. The main objective of this survey was to analyze the influence of gender relations in the insertion of men and women in the job market and to analyze the question of feminine submission in the professional world. These questions were analyzed considering the current period of the worldwide capitalism, from the characteristics of productive process and the growth of the service sectors. The research was made with a group of workers on the production sectors; attendance, management and human resources at restfood store, where six clerks were interviewed. Through our research, it is possible to perceive the permanence of the sexual division at the job in the interior of the productive processes at Restfood, that puts the woman in a subordinate position in relation to the man. This result can be confirmed if we considerate that the women, on this chain of food, occupy in first place the function of waitress and on this, trere s no functional progression, while her workmates (the men) for occupying other functions can progress inside the company. It was also evidenced that in a context of globalization of the capital, deregulation and disrespect of labor laws, the capital acts without any respect to workers. That was what we observed at the interviewer speech; the scarcity of the conditions of work and the constant disrespect of the labor laws. This way, we could evidence that the scarcity of work conditions hit men and women, but it has a crueler face with the women, and this one reproduces itself, day by day in the process of social reproduction, through family life, insertion in the world of the work, information and received social education. So, the capital explores all of them, but the gender relations create to the capital, the possibility of a different degree of exploration, becoming this way, the women main victims herself