Could a Simple Saliva Test Finally Give You Answers About Your Pelvic Pain?
If you’ve been struggling with chronic pelvic pain, painful periods, or other symptoms that doctors can’t seem to explain, you’re not alone. Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. That’s approximately 1.2 million women in England and Wales alone, yet the journey to diagnosis can feel endless, with many women waiting 8-10 years for answers.
We understand how frustrating and isolating this experience can be. At Summerhill Health, we’re here to support you through every step of your health journey. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the Ziwig Endotest®, a groundbreaking saliva-based diagnostic test that could provide the answers you’ve been searching for in just days rather than years.
This gentle, non-invasive test represents a significant advancement in women’s healthcare, offering you a faster, more comfortable path to understanding what’s happening with your body.
What is endometriosis, and could I have it?
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to your womb lining grows in other parts of your body, most commonly around your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvis. This tissue behaves just like the lining of your womb, thickening and bleeding with each cycle, but because it can’t leave your body naturally, it becomes trapped, causing inflammation, scarring, and often significant pain.
What symptoms might suggest endometriosis?
Every woman’s experience with endometriosis is different. Some women have severe symptoms that dramatically affect their daily lives, whilst others may have few or no symptoms at all.
If you’re wondering whether your symptoms could be related to endometriosis, here are some signs to be aware of:
Period-related symptoms
- Severe period pain that’s getting worse over time
- Pain that doesn’t respond well to regular painkillers
- Heavy or irregular bleeding
- Pain that starts before your period and continues after it ends
Other pelvic symptoms
- Chronic pelvic pain that’s present even when you’re not menstruating
- Pain during or after sex
- Discomfort during internal examinations or smear tests
Digestive and urinary symptoms
- Painful bowel movements, especially during your period
- Pain when urinating during menstruation
- Bloating, nausea, or other digestive issues
- Blood in your urine or stool during your cycle
General symptoms
- Chronic tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Lower back pain that worsens during your period
- Shoulder pain during menstruation (though this is less common)
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, please know that they’re not “normal” period pain, and you deserve to have them taken seriously. At Summerhill Health, we believe in listening to your concerns and working with you to find answers.
Why has getting an endometriosis diagnosis been so challenging?
If you’ve been struggling to get answers about your symptoms, you’re certainly not alone. Traditionally, diagnosing endometriosis has been incredibly difficult, and many women feel dismissed or told their pain is “just part of being a woman.” But this couldn’t be further from the truth.
The challenges with traditional diagnosis include:
Limited diagnostic tools
- Pelvic examinations and scans can miss endometriosis, especially in early stages.
- Symptoms often overlap with other conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Many healthcare providers have limited experience with endometriosis.
The surgical requirement
- Until now, the only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis was through laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) performed under general anaesthesia.
- This involves surgical risks, recovery time, and often lengthy waiting lists.
- Many women understandably prefer to avoid surgery if possible.
Symptom dismissal
- Unfortunately, women’s pain is often minimised or attributed to “normal” period problems.
- The wide range of symptoms can make endometriosis difficult to recognise.
We understand how disheartening this journey can be, and we’re committed to providing you with the compassionate, expert healthcare you deserve.
How could the Ziwig Endotest® change everything for you?
The Ziwig Endotest® represents a completely new approach to endometriosis diagnosis. Instead of requiring surgery, this innovative test analyses tiny molecules called microRNAs in your saliva using advanced technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
How does it work?
The science behind this test is fascinating. Women with endometriosis have unique patterns of microRNAs in their saliva, like a molecular fingerprint that can be detected and analysed. The test examines 109 different microRNAs to create a comprehensive picture of what’s happening in your body.
How accurate is the test?
The results from clinical studies are genuinely exciting:
- 96.7-97% sensitivity: This means the test correctly identifies endometriosis in nearly all women who have it.
- 93-100% specificity: The test accurately rules out endometriosis when it’s not present.
- 97% accuracy: This approaches the reliability of surgical diagnosis.
These figures mean you can have real confidence in your results, whether positive or negative.
Who can benefit from this test?
The Ziwig Endotest® is suitable for women aged 18-43 who are experiencing symptoms that could suggest endometriosis. However, the test isn’t appropriate for everyone.
You might be a good candidate if you’re:
- Experiencing chronic pelvic pain or severe period pain
- Having pain during sex or with contraceptive procedures
- Struggling with fertility issues
- Dealing with painful bowel movements or urination during your period
- Living with symptoms that are affecting your quality of life
The test isn’t suitable if you’re:
- Currently pregnant
- Have a history of cancer
- Are HIV positive
- Outside the age range of 18-43 years
If you’re unsure whether the test is right for you, we’re here to discuss your individual situation and help you make an informed decision.
What makes saliva testing so appealing?
One of the most wonderful aspects of this new test is how simple and comfortable it is for you:
Complete comfort
- No needles, no surgery, no hospital visits
- No anaesthesia or recovery time needed
- No uncomfortable internal examinations
Quick results
- Results available within 4-10 days
- No lengthy waiting lists for surgical procedures
- You can get answers while your symptoms are fresh in your mind
Practical benefits
- Significantly less expensive than traditional diagnostic surgery
- Can be repeated if needed
- No extended time off work required
How do you prepare for the test?
The beauty of the Ziwig Endotest® is that it requires very little preparation from you. We’ll provide you with a collection kit and clear, easy-to-follow instructions.
The most important things are:
- Following the collection instructions carefully
- Make sure you’re feeling well when you provide your sample
- Being honest about any medical conditions or medications
- Taking care to avoid contaminating your sample
The test needs to be requested by a healthcare professional.
What happens next if your test is positive?
If your Ziwig Endotest® shows that you likely have endometriosis, please know that this is the beginning of getting the help you need, not something to fear. Early diagnosis opens up many treatment options that can significantly improve your quality of life.
Treatment approaches we might discuss include:
Hormone-based treatments
- Options to help manage your symptoms and slow disease progression
- Menopause-style treatments can be very effective for endometriosis
- Contraceptive methods that can help control symptoms
Pain management
- Targeted approaches to help you manage discomfort
- Lifestyle modifications that can make a real difference
- Support for the emotional impact of chronic pain
Fertility support
- Discussions about preserving your fertility if that’s important to you
- Referrals to fertility specialists if needed
- Treatment approaches that consider your family planning goals
Surgical options when appropriate
- Referral to experienced endometriosis surgeons
- Minimally invasive procedures to remove endometrial tissue
- Treatment of complications like adhesions
What if your result is negative?
A negative result means endometriosis is unlikely to be causing your symptoms, but this doesn’t mean we stop caring about how you’re feeling. Your symptoms are still real and still deserve attention and treatment.
If your test is negative, we’ll work together to:
- Explore other possible causes of your symptoms
- Arrange appropriate investigations to get to the bottom of what’s happening
- Develop a health management plan to help you feel better
- Continue monitoring your symptoms over time
- Provide ongoing support for your wellbeing
Remember, getting a negative result can actually be really positive news. It rules out a chronic condition and allows us to focus on other, potentially more easily treatable causes of your symptoms.
How does this fit into your overall healthcare journey
At Summerhill Health, we believe in treating you as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms.
The Ziwig Endotest® is just one part of our comprehensive approach to women’s health, which includes:
- Thorough health assessments that take your concerns seriously
- Fertility support and family planning discussions
- Menopause care and hormone management
- Preventive healthcare to keep you well
- Mental health support for the emotional aspects of chronic conditions
- Coordination with specialists when needed
We understand that health concerns don’t exist in isolation, and we’re committed to supporting your overall wellbeing throughout your journey with us.
Why this test could be life-changing
The introduction of the Ziwig Endotest® is fundamentally changing how we approach women’s health. For too long, women have been told to “put up with” pain or that their symptoms are “all in their head.” This test validates what you’ve been experiencing and provides a clear path forward.
The potential benefits include:
- Getting answers years sooner than traditional methods
- Avoiding unnecessary surgical procedures
- Starting treatment earlier to prevent complications
- Preserving fertility in women who want children
- Improving your quality of life through proper management
- Providing peace of mind, whether results are positive or negative
- Reducing the emotional toll of uncertainty
Taking your next step towards answers
If you’re tired of not having answers about your symptoms, you don’t have to wait any longer. The Ziwig Endotest® offers a new pathway to understanding what’s happening with your body. One that’s gentle, accurate, and respectful of your time and comfort.
At Summerhill Health, Dr Natalie Summerhill and our caring team are here to support you every step of the way. We’ll take the time to understand your symptoms, assess whether the Ziwig Endotest® is right for you, and guide you through the entire process with compassion and expertise. Your symptoms matter. Your pain is real. And you deserve answers.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your health journey, we’d love to help. Book an appointment with us today to discuss how the Ziwig Endotest® could provide the clarity you’ve been seeking. Together, we can work towards better health and a brighter future.
References
Bendifallah, S., Dabi, Y., Suisse, S., Jornea, L., Bouteiller, D., Touboul, C., Puchar, A., & Daraï, E. (2022). A Bioinformatics Approach to MicroRNA-Sequencing Analysis Based on Human Saliva Samples of Patients with Endometriosis. International journal of molecular sciences, 23(14), 8045. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23148045
Bendifallah, S., Suisse, S., Puchar, A., Delbos, L., Poilblanc, M., Descamps, P., Golfier, F., Jornea, L., Bouteiller, D., Touboul, C., Dabi, Y., & Daraï, E. (2022). Salivary MicroRNA Signature for Diagnosis of Endometriosis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(3), 612. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11030612
Bendifallah, S., Dabi, Y., Suisse, S., Delbos, L., Spiers, A., Poilblanc, M., … & Descamps, P. (2023). Validation of a salivary miRNA signature of endometriosis – interim data. NEJM Evidence, 2(7), EVIDoa2200282. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38320163/
BIONEXT. (2023). Innovation in the diagnosis of endometriosis. Retrieved from http://www.bionext.lu/en/espace-medecins/services/ZiwigEndotest
Euronews. (2024). France gives preliminary green light to endometriosis saliva test. Retrieved from https://www.euronews.com/health/2024/01/09/endometriosis-saliva-test-given-preliminary-green-light-by-french-authorities
TDL Pathology. (2025). Ziwig Endotest. Retrieved from https://www.tdlpathology.com/specialties/genetics/ziwig-endotest/
