{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,2]],"date-time":"2026-06-02T11:00:31Z","timestamp":1780398031994,"version":"3.54.1"},"reference-count":29,"publisher":"Knowledge E DMCC","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,2]],"date-time":"2026-06-02T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1780358400000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["knepublishing.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["IJRM"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Endometriosis has potential negative effects on the fertility, mental, and sexual health of women. Since the conducted studies have not comprehensively addressed the needs and strategies to improve sexual health, and to design the necessary programs and interventions for this group of women.\r\nObjective: The present study aims to design and implement interventions to improve sexual health of women with endometriosis.\r\nMaterials and Methods: This sequential mixed-methods study comprises 4 phases. Phase 1 is a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to explore needs and strategies from the perspectives of women with endometriosis and healthcare providers. Phase 2 involves a systematic review to identify additional evidence-based strategies. Phase 3 integrates findings from phases 1 and 2 with prioritization by a multidisciplinary expert panel using the Delphi technique, to develop a comprehensive intervention program. Phase 4 is a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed intervention on sexual function and sexual quality of life compared to routine care.\r\nConclusion: This protocol aims to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based care program integrating qualitative insights, systematic review findings, and multidisciplinary expert opinions, and to evaluate its effectiveness in improving the sexual health of women with endometriosis.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.18502\/ijrm.v24i4.21170","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,2]],"date-time":"2026-06-02T09:36:35Z","timestamp":1780392995000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.18502\/knecrossmarkpolicy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Design and implementation of interventions to improve sexual health of women with endometriosis: A mixed-methods study protocol with an interventional design"],"prefix":"10.18502","volume":"24","author":[{"given":"Tahmineh","family":"Farajkhoda","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Shahla","family":"Mohammadkhani","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mohammadtaghi","family":"Sarebanhassanabadi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Atiyeh","family":"Javaheri","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Fatemeh","family":"ZareMobini","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"7770","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,2]]},"reference":[{"key":"333510","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[1] Leborne P, Huberlant S, Masia F, de Tayrac R, Letouzey V, Allegre L. Clinical outcomes following surgical management of deep infiltrating endometriosis. Sci Rep 2022; 12: 21800.","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-022-25751-9"},{"key":"333511","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[2] As-Sanie S, Mackenzie SC, Morrison L, Schrepf A, Zondervan KT, Horne AW, et al. Endometriosis: A review. JAMA 2025; 334: 64\u201378.","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.2025.2975"},{"key":"333512","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[3] Bonavina G, Taylor HS. Endometriosis-associated infertility: From pathophysiology to tailored treatment. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13: 1020827.","DOI":"10.3389\/fendo.2022.1020827"},{"key":"333513","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[4] Horne AW, Missmer SA. Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of endometriosis. BMJ 2022; 379: e070750.","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj-2022-070750"},{"key":"333514","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[5] Kling JM, Ghaith S, Smith T, Kapoor E, Wasson M, Mara K, et al. Evaluating the link between self-reported endometriosis and female sexual dysfunction. J Sex Med 2022; 19: 1553\u20131561.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsxm.2022.07.009"},{"key":"333515","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[6] Netzl J, Gusy B, Voigt B, Sehouli J, Mechsner S. Chronic pelvic pain in endometriosis: Cross-sectional associations with mental disorders, sexual dysfunctions and childhood maltreatment. J Clin Med 2022; 11: 3714.","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm11133714"},{"key":"333516","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[7] Shi C, Xu H, Zhang T, Gao Y. Endometriosis decreases female sexual function and increases pain severity: A meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2023; 307: 195\u2013204.","DOI":"10.1007\/s00404-022-06478-4"},{"key":"333517","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[8] Yang X, Xu X, Lin L, Xu K, Xu M, Ye J, et al. Sexual function in patients with endometriosis: A prospective case-control study in China. J Int Med Res 2021; 49: 3000605211004388.","DOI":"10.1177\/03000605211004388"},{"key":"333518","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[9] Vannuccini S, Maseroli E, Vignozzi L, Petraglia F. The challenge of endometriosis for female sexual health. J Sex Med 2023; 20: 240\u2013246.","DOI":"10.1093\/jsxmed\/qdad004"},{"key":"333519","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[10] Barbara G, Facchin F, Buggio L, Somigliana E, Berlanda N, Kustermann A, et al. What is known and unknown about the association between endometriosis and sexual functioning: A systematic review of the literature. Reprod Sci 2017; 24: 1566\u20131576.","DOI":"10.1177\/1933719117707054"},{"key":"333520","unstructured":"[11] Norinho P, Martins MM, Ferreira H. A systematic review on the effects of endometriosis on sexuality and couple\u2019s relationship. Facts Views Vis Obgyn 2020; 12: 197\u2013205."},{"key":"333521","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[12] Moreira da Cunha R, Oliveira Veloso M, Soares Coutinho S, de Menezes Braga LD, de Barros AS, Mesquita Magalh\u00e3es G, et al. Sexual function in women with endometriosis and pelvic floor myofascial pain syndrome. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet 2024; 46: e-rbgo40.","DOI":"10.61622\/rbgo\/2024rbgo40"},{"key":"333522","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[13] Buggio L, Barbara G, Facchin F, Frattaruolo MP, Aimi G, Berlanda N. Self-management and psychological-sexological interventions in patients with endometriosis: Strategies, outcomes, and integration into clinical care. Int J Womens Health 2017; 9: 281\u2013293.","DOI":"10.2147\/IJWH.S119724"},{"key":"333523","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[14] Daneshfar Z, Jahanian Sadatmahalleh Sh, Jahangiri N. Comparison of sexual function in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis: A cross-sectional study. Int J Reprod BioMed 2022; 20: 761\u2013768.","DOI":"10.18502\/ijrm.v20i9.12066"},{"key":"333524","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[15] Rasekh Jahroomi A, Mohammadi S, Noorozi Z, Khani S, Ranjbar A, Rahmanian V, et al. Sexual function and sexual quality of life in women affected by endometriosis and adenomyosis compared to healthy women. Women Health 2025; 65: 802\u2013812.","DOI":"10.1080\/03630242.2025.2580459"},{"key":"333525","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[16] Malekmaleki S, Shahali Sh, Moini A. Sexual self-efficacy and sexual quality of life before and after laparoscopic surgery in women with endometriosis lesions: A cross-sectional study. Int J Reprod BioMed 2022; 20: 469\u2013476.","DOI":"10.18502\/ijrm.v20i6.11442"},{"key":"333526","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[17] Della Corte L, Di Filippo C, Gabrielli O, Reppuccia S, La Rosa VL, Ragusa R, et al. The burden of endometriosis on women\u2019s lifespan: A narrative overview on quality of life and psychosocial wellbeing. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17: 4683.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17134683"},{"key":"333527","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[18] Abulughod N, Valakas S, El-Assaad F. Dietary and nutritional Interventions for the management of endometriosis. Nutrients 2024; 16: 3988.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu16233988"},{"key":"333528","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[19] Crispi Jr CP, Crispi CP, de Oliveira BRS, de Nadai Filho N, Peixoto-Filho FM, de Freitas Fonseca M. Six-month follow-up of minimally invasive nerve-sparing complete excision of endometriosis: What about dyspareunia? 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