Jan 09, 2025

Can a Blood Test Diagnose Endometriosis?

Let’s face it, endometriosis sucks. Worldwide, there are around 190 million sufferers of the condition, a figure which equates to “approximately 10% of all women of reproductive age” (figures from NICE). And considering it can take years to even make a diagnosis in the first place, this figure might actually be much higher. But could this all be about to change? Could we be reaching a transformative stage of changes to how endometriosis is managed?

In this article we’re looking into new research from Australia, which aims to quickly diagnose the condition via a simple blood test. Read on to find out more.

How is endometriosis currently diagnosed?

Currently, endometriosis can only be diagnosed via a laparoscopy, or keyhole surgery. During a laparoscopy, surgeons insert a camera via a small cut, to look inside the body and determine whether or not endometriosis is present. This procedure is done under general anaesthetic, which means that there are potential side effects, and risks, to be aware of. Sometimes, surgeons will treat or remove the endometriosis during the laparoscopy.

According to the NHS, it can take up to five days to recover from a diagnostic laparoscopy, and up to eight weeks if you have surgery too. The procedure is invasive, and in some cases, an overnight stay in hospital is required.

Find out more about having a laparoscopy to diagnose endometriosis from Endometriosis UK.

New research suggests a faster diagnosis for endometriosis

Endometriosis UK estimates that the average person with the condition faces a wait of up to eight years to get a diagnosis. The long wait can be due to a few factors, such as symptoms presenting as other potential conditions. Of course, the delay could also be due to societal attitudes too - many sufferers report feeling dismissed by doctors, or unsure about whether or not their symptoms are ‘normal’ or need investigating.

Whatever the reason, waiting up to eight years to get a diagnosis could potentially be a thing of the past, thanks to a promising new study in Australia. There, researchers at the Royal Women’s Hospital and the Women’s health Research team at the University of Melbourne have developed a non-invasive blood test to make a diagnosis instead.

How can a blood test diagnose endometriosis?

Ten biomarkers have been identified in the blood of those with endometriosis. Biomarkers are biological molecules found in blood, that indicate signs of disease or other medical conditions.

So far, early studies of the blood test show high levels of accuracy in identifying these biomarkers, and in distinguishing endometriosis from other conditions.

What could a diagnostic blood test mean for endometriosis sufferers?

Eight years is a long time to wait for a diagnosis and treatment, and being able to diagnose the condition earlier could make a huge difference to so many people living with the most common symptoms - heavy periods and excruciating period pain.

Endometriosis can also impact fertility, so the longer it takes to get a diagnosis and treatment plan in place, the more difficult it could be for some to get pregnant and carry a baby to term. Faster diagnoses could mean more control over fertility, and less time, money and stress spent on fertility treatments.

A simple blood test could also alleviate much of the stress and anxiety surrounding the road to diagnosis too. It’s non-invasive, requires much less effort in negotiating the healthcare system, and doesn’t require an overnight stay in hospital either.

More than this though, being able to diagnose endometriosis earlier allows sufferers to be heard much sooner too. It allows treatment plans to be put into place, and for those living with the condition to receive support, both physically and emotionally.

And let’s not forget the fact that being able to diagnose endometriosis more easily

could also help to raise awareness and educate more widely on not only the condition, but on the menstrual cycle as a whole.

The future of the journey towards an endometriosis diagnosis

The results of the study so far are promising, but it’s important to remember that it’s still early days. More research is needed, and there’s still work to be done on validating the reliability and accuracy of the biomarkers identified by scientists in Australia.

But there’s no denying the potential impact this could have on so many people. This research offers hope; it could transform how we diagnose and treat a condition which negatively affects so many people every single day. Yes, there’s still a journey ahead of us, but now the possibility of a faster, more accessible diagnostic tool might actually be more likely.

What to do if you think you have endometriosis

If you’re experiencing symptoms of endometriosis, or you’re unsure about your symptoms, make an appointment to see your GP to discuss. It's a good idea to keep a diary too, and track your cycle so that you can attend your appointments with as much information as possible.

As a quick guide, the most common symptoms of endometriosis are: