Endometriosis

It is common for the first symptoms to appear in adolescence. Some experience symptoms the first time they menstruate. The symptoms of endometriosis vary from person to person. Some may not feel it at all, or only to a small extent. Others may have symptoms not listed here.

It is common to experience significant pain during menstruation or ovulation. Typically, the pain occurs in the abdomen, but it can also radiate to the back and down the legs.

It is also common to experience pain deep inside the vagina and abdomen during intercourse.

You may also have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Symptoms resembling a urinary tract infection, such as frequent urination or difficulty initiating urination.
• Symptoms resembling irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), such as diarrhea or constipation.
• Painful urination or bowel movements.
• Blood in urine or stool during menstruation.
• General feelings of sickness, fatigue, nausea, and fever.
• Difficulty getting pregnant.
• Longer and heavier menstrual periods.

The symptoms of endometriosis often vary over time. It is common to have better and worse days or longer periods with more or fewer symptoms. The intensity of symptoms can also vary over time.

The disease cannot be cured, but it can be alleviated with treatment.

The most effective treatment can vary from person to person. It may depend on factors such as your age or whether you are planning to become pregnant.

It is common for you and your physician to work together to find what works best for you. Sometimes, surgery may be necessary.

The exact cause of endometriosis is not entirely known. The most likely explanation is that cells or fragments of the uterine lining are pushed into the abdomen through the fallopian tubes during menstruation. These cells or fragments of uterine lining then attach to the abdominal lining where they continue to grow.

Studies have shown that endometriosis is, to some extent, hereditary. This means that the likelihood of having endometriosis is higher if you have a genetic relative with the disease.

In some cases, endometriosis resolves on its own. When you enter menopause and cease to menstruate, the disease often tends to disappear.

C-Medical's clinics in Uppsala are the first among the Nordic countries to launch a highly sensitive test for the analysis of endometriosis, called Endotest. The test is an mRNA test, and the sample analyzed is a saliva sample.

The sample can be collected at C-Medical's clinics in Uppsala.