Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition in which patients often suffer from painful intercourse and irregular menstruation, leading to reduced quality of sexual life and impaired intimacy. A deeper exploration of the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of women's experiences is necessary to provide more effective and comprehensive support for the care of endometriosis patients and their partners.

To systematically evaluate the sexual experience and intimate relationship changes of patients with endometriosis, and to provide reference for formulating intervention measures to improve the sexual life quality of patients with endometriosis.

PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, PsycINFO, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, and SinoMed were searched for qualitative studies on the sexual experience of patients with endometriosis from database establishment to October 28, 2024. The literature was evaluated using JBI evidence-based Health Care Center qualitative research quality evaluation criteria, and meta-integration method was used to summarize and interpret the research results.

A total of 10 literatures were included, 51 themes were extracted, and 10 categories were summarized to form 3 integration results: poor sexual experiences and diverse coping strategies (individualized experience of dyspareunia, silence driven by guilt and fertility-related pregnancy desires, avoidance due to distressing physical and psychological experiences, and positive coping among patients with post-traumatic growth); impacts of sexuality on intimate relationships under disease burden (sexuality serving as a "bridge" sustaining intimate bonds, catastrophic deterioration of intimate relationships in individuals with negative coping styles, and enhanced partner intimacy through joint positive confrontation against illness); unmet multifaceted needs for maintaining healthy sexuality and intimate relationships (the desire for normal and pleasurable sexual experiences, expectations of support and understanding from partners and family members, and demand for professional and effective healthcare-system-based support).

Medical workers should pay attention to the painful sexual experience and intimate relationship changes brought by endometriosis patients, pay attention to the positive psychological experience of endometriosis patients and their partners, build a continuous medical support system, guide the establishment of a positive disease coping style, and promote the joint management of the disease by patients and their partners.