Two new tests could transform endometriosis diagnosis Finally, it will be possible to shorten the diagnostic process for one of the most underdiagnosed chronic diseases in the world
For millions of women, living with endometriosis means enduring years of pain before finally receiving a diagnosis. Debilitating menstrual cramps, chronic fatigue, digestive issues, pain during sex, and, in many cases, infertility are still too often dismissed or written off as a supposedly "normal" part of being a woman. In reality, there is nothing normal about living with pain so severe that it prevents you from studying, working, or carrying out everyday activities. Fortunately, a promising development from the United Kingdom could mark a genuine turning point. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the body responsible for setting clinical guidelines for the UK's healthcare system, has approved the introduction of two new non-invasive tests designed to improve endometriosis diagnosis within England's National Health Service. The decision is expected to attract worldwide attention from the medical community, as it could significantly reduce the time needed to diagnose a disease that affects around one in ten women of reproductive age.
Why diagnosing endometriosis still takes so long
Today, endometriosis diagnosis remains a long and complicated process. Ultrasounds and MRI scans do not always detect every form of the disease, and for many years the gold standard for confirming endometriosis has been laparoscopy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows doctors to directly identify endometrial tissue growing outside the uterus. In recent years, clinicians have sought to reserve surgery only for cases where it is truly necessary, but this has done little to solve the problem of delayed diagnosis. In the United Kingdom, women wait an average of more than nine years before receiving an accurate endometriosis diagnosis. For many, the journey is even longer, especially when symptoms are underestimated or mistaken for gastrointestinal or other gynecological conditions.
The new tests
The newly approved technologies from NICE aim to close this diagnostic gap. The first, called Endotest, is a simple saliva test. By analyzing specific microRNAs, small molecules involved in regulating cellular activity, the test searches for biomarkers associated with endometriosis. The procedure requires only a saliva sample and could become a valuable tool for quickly identifying patients who need further medical evaluation. The second test, EndoSure, uses sensors placed on the abdomen to record the electrical signals produced by the intestines. The examination lasts around 45 minutes, is completely non-invasive, and provides immediate results once the procedure is complete. Its goal is to detect changes in intestinal activity that are frequently linked to endometriosis, giving physicians another important piece of information to support the diagnostic process. It is important to note that neither of these tools replaces clinical judgment or provides a definitive diagnosis. Instead, they will be used alongside symptom assessment, gynecological examinations, and imaging tests. NICE has authorized their initial use for a three-year period, during which additional evidence will be collected to evaluate their effectiveness in real-world clinical practice.
It's time to stop dismissing women's health
The real revolution, however, may be cultural before it is technological. For far too long, women's pain has been normalized. How many girls have been told that severe menstrual pain is simply "part of being a woman"? How many have spent years waiting for someone to finally take their symptoms seriously? The result is that countless women live for years with a chronic inflammatory disease that can profoundly affect their quality of life, mental health, fertility, relationships, and even their careers. A faster endometriosis diagnosis means earlier access to available treatments, a lower risk of complications, slower disease progression, and something that has too often been denied to patients: the reassurance of being believed. Of course, these new tests are not yet a definitive solution. Larger studies will still be needed to confirm their accuracy and reliability across diverse patient populations. Even so, the message coming from the United Kingdom is an important one. Investing in gynecological health means investing in public health.