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Problem: Various chemokines have been linked to endometriosis. Notably, chemokines such as CCL2, CXCL8, and CXCL1 have also been shown to promote nociception. In this study, we investigated whether increased serum concentrations and endometrial expression of chemokines (specifically CCL2, CXCL8, and CXCL1) are associated with heightened severity of pain symptoms in women with endometriosis.

Method of Study: The study included women with endometriosis (with [n = 27] and without [n = 24] hormonal treatment) as well as healthy controls (n = 22). All participants underwent blood sampling and an endometrial biopsy during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. Symptom severity in the patient group was assessed using the pain dimension of the Endometriosis Health Profile 30 (EHP-30) and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain.

Results: Serum levels of CCL2 and CXCL1, as well as endometrial expression of CXCL8, were lower in women with endometriosis compared to controls. Furthermore, increased serum levels of CCL2, CXCL8, and CXCL1 were associated with higher EHP-30 pain domain scores in women with endometriosis. Similarly, elevated endometrial expression of CXCL8 and CXCL1 correlated with higher VAS scores. Notably, when the patient group was stratified based on ongoing hormonal treatment, CXCL1 emerged as the most promising target, with both increased serum concentration and endometrial expression consistently being associated with greater symptom severity.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that chemokines, particularly CXCL1, are associated with greater pain severity and reduced quality of life in women with endometriosis. However, these correlations do not establish causality and should be interpreted with caution.

Objective: The mechanisms behind endometriosis-related pain are not yet fully understood. To determine if there is a difference in the density of endometrial nerve fibers between women with endometriosis and healthy controls, and to explore how the density of these nerve fibers and hormone levels correlate with the severity of symptoms experienced by the women.

Study Design: In this case-control study, 76 women with endometriosis and 24 healthy controls were included. The patient group was divided into two subgroups: those with and without hormonal treatments. Endometrial biopsies were taken and stained to detect PGP 9.5, a nerve fiber marker. Blood samples were collected for hormone analysis. Pain symptom severity was measured using VAS and EHP30.

Results: Women with endometriosis had a higher density of endometrial nerve fibers than healthy controls (median [range]: 2.0 [2.0–4.0] vs. 1.0 [0.0–1.0] fibers/mm², P < 0.001). This increased density was associated with more severe pain (β = 0.130 [95 % CI: 0.019, 0.240], P = 0.02). Women with endometriosis, regardless of hormone treatment, had a higher density of endometrial nerve fibers (3.0 [2.0–4.0] and 2.0 [1.0–4.0] fibers/mm², respectively) compared with healthy controls (1.0 [0.0-u1.0] fibers/mm², both P < 0.001). The density was not significantly different between those receiving and not receiving hormone treatment. The allopregnanolone/progesterone ratio was greater in women with endometriosis not receiving hormone treatment (0.002 [0.001–0.004]) than in healthy controls (0.001 [0.000–0.005]) and women receiving hormone treatment (0.001 [0.000–0.006], P = 0.02 and 0.001, respectively). A greater allopregnanolone/progesterone ratio was associated with more severe pain (β = 20.662 [95 % CI: 0.202, 41.121], P = 0.048), but hormone levels (estrogen, progesterone, and allopregnanolone) were not associated with endometrial nerve fiber density.

Conclusion: Women with endometriosis have a higher nerve fiber density in the endometrium, linked to more severe pain, regardless of hormone treatment. Increased progesterone metabolism to allopregnanolone may be a target for managing endometriosis pain.

Background: Earlier studies highlight that a positive birth experience enhances both short-term recovery and long-term maternal well-being. However, the factors influencing this experience are complex and not yet fully understood. We aimed to investigate the influence of labour commencement method on late-term pregnant women’s satisfaction with care and the birth experience, and to determine whether women’s perception of their birth experience changes over time.

Methods: In this register-based retrospective cohort study, we included pregnant women in late term (≥ 41 + 0 to < 42 + 0) who gave birth in Sweden during 2020–2021. Eligible women were classified into two groups: spontaneous onset of labour (SOL) and induced onset of labour (IOL). Women’s satisfaction with care at birth and the childbirth experience at 8 weeks and 1 year postpartum were measured with a visual analogue scale, where 0 indicates “very unsatisfied” and 10 “very satisfied”.

Results: Satisfaction with care at the time of discharge from the hospital was significantly different between the IOL and SOL groups, with mean scores of 6.53 ± 3.34 and 6.97 ± 3.34, respectively (P = 0.007). Furthermore, the IOL group reported a less positive birth experience at 8 weeks (7.15 ± 2.37 and 7.74 ± 2.17, respectively, P = 0.004) and 1 year postpartum (6.87 ± 2.40 and 7.53 ± 2.15, respectively, P = 0.002) compared to the SOL group. Both groups experienced a decline in birth experience positivity from 8 weeks to 1 year postpartum (P < 0.001 in both groups). Common factors influencing satisfaction with care and birth experience included parity, heavy bleeding during labour, and the mode of delivery.

Conclusion: Satisfaction with care during labour and women’s childbirth experiences differed between the SOL and IOL groups, indicating a relationship between labour commencement method and satisfaction scores. Women in the SOL group were more satisfied with care at birth and reported a more positive birth experience at both 8 weeks and 1 year postpartum compared to the IOL group. Over time, women’s childbirth experience scores in both groups may change, becoming less positive 1 year after birth compared to 8 weeks postpartum.

Trial registration: Retrospectively registered.

Objective: It has been suggested that induction of labour before 42 weeks of pregnancy prevents foetal complications. To evaluate the maternal and foetal outcomes of induced and spontaneous labour beyond gestational week 41 + 0.

Study design: We conducted a register-based nationwide cohort study that included pregnant women who were delivered in Sweden in 2016–2021. Women were classified into two groups: induction of labour (IOL) or spontaneous onset of labour (SOL). Maternal and foetal outcomes after IOL in gestational week 41 were compared with SOL in gestational week 41 and 42.

Results: Comparison between the IOL (n = 23,772) and SOL (n = 62,611) groups in gestational weeks 41 showed that various parameters were higher in the IOL group: caesarean deliveries (12.3 % and 4.6 %, P < 0.001), vacuum extraction (8.7 % and 6.9 %, P < 0.001), blood loss of > 1000 ml during labour (11 % vs 8.3 %, P < 0.001). The risks were remained significant even after adjusting for potential confounders (caesarean delivery: aOR 2.36; 95 % CI, 2.23–2.50, vacuum delivery: aOR 1.09; 95 % CI, 1.03–1.16, P = 0.002, and blood loss of >1000 ml: aOR 1.25; 95 % CI 1.18–1.31). The proportions of stillbirths (0.07 % and 0.18, P < 0.001), and newborns with apgar scores < 4 at five minutes (0.4 % vs 0.3 %, P < 0.001), were also higher in the IOL group. The risk of stillbirth after IOL in gestational week 41 was increased relative to SOL in the same week and remained high after adjusting for potential confounders (aOR 1.75; 95 % CI 1.07–2.80, P = 0.025). The IOL group in gestational weeks 41 comprised a higher proportion of caesarean deliveries (12.3 % and 8.5 %, P < 0.001), but a lower (8.7 % and 9.7 %, P = 0.006) proportion of deliveries by vacuum extraction than the SOL group (n = 4548) in week 42.

Conclusions: Inducing labour at gestational week 41 in women with prolonged pregnancies may have adverse effects on foetal and maternal outcomes compared to those who experience spontaneous labour onset at the same gestational age. The risk of negative foetal outcomes after induction at week 41 appears similar to that in women who give birth after spontaneous labour at week 42.

This article presents preliminary findings from a design ethnographic study examining pelvic floor care practices from the perspective of patients with pelvic floor injuries caused by birth treated at the continence clinic in Sundsvall's Hospital, Sweden. The aim is to enhance our understanding of women's experiences of pelvic floor injury, provide insights into living with pelvic floor injury, and discuss this from a universal design perspective. The study combines qualitative observations during clinic meetings and individual interviews with participants in a separate room. In total, seven patients participated. The material was analysed using thematic analysis focusing on the patient's experiences and the continence clinic healthcare meeting situation. The initial findings show that pelvic floor injury symptoms such as leakage, pain and discomfort were seen as a routine part of giving birth and as expected and normal among patients. Another finding is how manifestation through visual evidence with mirroring or illustrations is found to be helpful among patients as it helps them with their healing process. Many participants have unresolved thoughts on the reasons for their pelvic floor injury. The narratives of patients living with pelvic floor injuries highlight themes of ambivalence and uncertainty, with the injuries often overshadowed by the subsequent demands of caring for a newborn, causing overload. The change is not only interpersonal; from a design perspective, the situation as a whole is of interest, including the environment, people, and artefacts. Further research is needed to explore women's experiences beyond the purely medical aspects. Here, universal design can contribute to increased sensitivity regarding stigma and values and how these can manifest socio-materially in healthcare interactions. This study provides a basis for continued work with co-creation workshops with participants in the following study.

Introduction: The mechanism underlying endometriosis-related pain remains poorly understood. Previous studies have indicated that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A (GABAA) receptors and GABAergic substances (eg endogenous neurosteroids) play important mechanistic roles in various pain conditions. Our primary objective was to compare GABAA receptor function between women with endometriosis and healthy controls by performing a challenge test with diazepam, a GABAA receptor agonist, using the saccadic eye velocity as the main outcome. The secondary objective was to investigate the relationship between GABAA receptor function and serum levels of allopregnanolone, an endogenous positive modulator of the GABAA receptor, in the participating women.

Material and methods: 15 women with pelvic pain and laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis and 10 healthy, symptom-free, control women, aged 18–40 years, underwent the diazepam challenge test during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Basal serum allopregnanolone levels were measured prior to diazepam injection.

Results: Compared with healthy controls, women with pelvic pain and confirmed endometriosis had a significantly smaller change in saccadic eye velocity after GABAA receptor stimulation with diazepam, indicating lower sensitivity to diazepam. The saccadic eye velocity response was not correlated with the serum allopregnanolone levels.

Conclusions: Women with painful endometriosis show altered GABAA receptor function, depicted as a muted response to an exogenous GABAA receptor agonist.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder among women, and the majority suffers from hyperandrogenism. Hyperandrogenism causes psychological morbidity and impaired quality of life in women with PCOS during the reproductive years, but data on prevalence and impact during midlife are lacking. Thus, this study aimed to address whether hyperandrogenism persists into midlife and, if so, what impact it has on quality of life. In order to answer this question, we performed a multicenter prospective cohort study, where we included women already diagnosed with PCOS who had reached the age of 45 years or more and age-matched controls. All participants underwent a physical exam, structured medical interview, biochemical testing and filled out self-assessment questionnaires. More than 40% of the women with PCOS and 82% of those who presented with the hyperandrogenic phenotype at the diagnostic work-up still suffered from hirsutism. Circulating testosterone levels were similar between women with PCOS and controls while free androgen index was higher in women with PCOS, independent of weight. Women with hyperandrogenic PCOS expressed persisting concerns regarding hirsutism at the follow-up assessment. In conclusion, women with PCOS who present with hyperandrogenic symptoms at the time they are diagnosed with PCOS have a higher risk of persistent androgenic symptoms and impaired quality of life in midlife.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether a history of loop electrosurgical excision procedure (i.e., conisation) affects obstetric and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out in Västernorrland county, Sweden. 57 nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies and previous conisation were compared with 100 age-matched pregnant controls without history of conisation.

Results: There was significantly lower gestational age by delivery (p = 0.036), however, the premature delivery rate was not different. Caesarean section was also less frequent (OR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.081–1.04, p = 0.047) in the conisation group than those in the control group. There were no differences in neonatal outcomes.

Conclusions: Previous conisation does not affect the risk of prematurity or cervical dilatation during the first stage of labour. Women with history of conisation had a lower rate of caesarean section, and lower gestational age by delivery.

The prevalence of cognitive dysfunction, dementia, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasing in parallel with an aging population. Distinct types of chronic stress are thought to be instrumental in the development of cognitive impairment in central nervous system (CNS) disorders where cognitive impairment is a major unmet medical need. Increased GABAergic tone is a mediator of stress effects but is also a result of other factors in CNS disorders. Positive GABA-A receptor modulating stress and sex steroids (steroid-PAMs) such as allopregnanolone (ALLO) and medroxyprogesterone acetate can provoke impaired cognition. As such, ALLO impairs memory and learning in both animals and humans. In transgenic AD animal studies, continuous exposure to ALLO at physiological levels impairs cognition and increases degenerative AD pathology, whereas intermittent ALLO injections enhance cognition, indicating pleiotropic functions of ALLO. We have shown that GABA-A receptor modulating steroid antagonists (GAMSAs) can block the acute negative cognitive impairment of ALLO on memory in animal studies and in patients with cognitive impairment due to hepatic encephalopathy. Here we describe disorders affected by steroid-PAMs and opportunities to treat these adverse effects of steroid-PAMs with novel GAMSAs.