Women’s sexual health from a cultural viewpoint

Abstract

Objective: Get to know the topics approached in national publications on women’s sexual health and identify the cultural and social aspects envisaged. Method: Descriptive-analytical bibliographic review made in the Virtual Health Library database, using the following criteria: national publications from 2000 to 2011, full texts involving the female population. Twelve publications were analyzed through an integrative literature review. Results: The interface between women’s sexual health and the cultural aspects is reflected on the behavior, attitudes and lifestyles. The vulnerability to which women are exposed originate from several natures, represent several cultures and, sometimes, are crystallized by ongoing Sexually Transmitted Diseases, unwanted pregnancy and violence. Conclusion: By updating the knowledge on factors that interfere on the care of women’s sexual health, it is evident that a less technical and more emancipatory sexual health care approach is urgent.