Endometriosis Diagnosis Could Shift to Blood Test, Research Indicates
Endometriosis, a condition affecting one in 10 women in the UK, might soon be diagnosable through a blood test detecting hormone differences rather than invasive surgery, according to new research.
The disorder occurs when tissue similar to the womb lining grows outside the uterus, leading to severe symptoms including pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, fatigue, and infertility.
The charity Endometriosis UK highlights that in Scotland, the average time to receive a diagnosis exceeds 10 years. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh aim to streamline this process with their latest findings.
The study identified variations in a group of androgens—hormones typically considered male but also present in females—between women with endometriosis and those without the condition. This discovery could simplify the diagnostic process, which currently relies on surgical confirmation.
However, the researchers caution that these findings require validation in larger and more diverse populations. Further studies are also necessary to differentiate this hormonal pattern from other conditions with hormonal imbalances to ensure accurate identification of endometriosis.
Endometriosis is primarily influenced by female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, which fluctuate with the menstrual cycle. Research into the role of androgens such as testosterone has been limited until now.
The study examined blood hormone levels in 159 women diagnosed with endometriosis and 57 women without the condition. Results revealed a distinctive hormonal fingerprint among those with endometriosis, characterized by elevated levels of certain androgens.
This hormonal profile enabled the researchers to distinguish between affected and unaffected individuals, correctly identifying over 95% of endometriosis cases.
The research team is currently seeking industry collaborators to develop a diagnostic blood test based on these findings. Other investigations are exploring alternative diagnostic methods, including novel scanning techniques and saliva tests.
New Treatments and Collaborative Research
The research team includes scientists from the universities of Liverpool, Glasgow, and Birmingham.
"These findings mark a significant breakthrough in our understanding of endometriosis. Traditionally seen as an oestrogen-driven disorder, our research challenges this view by showing different androgen levels in the condition. We are optimistic that this new insight will lead to earlier diagnosis and the development of innovative new treatments for those affected by endometriosis."
Dr Susan Bodie, representing Edinburgh Innovations, the university's commercialisation service, emphasized the importance of the discovery.
"This discovery addresses an important unmet need in the field of women's health."
She encouraged potential partners capable of advancing the diagnostic technology to make contact.
Emma Cox, chief executive of Endometriosis UK, described the prospect of a reliable, non-surgical diagnostic test as both "much needed" and "long-awaited," calling the research "promising."
"It could reduce diagnosis times to just a few months, but larger trials are essential to validate the findings. This is exactly why investment in endometriosis research matters - and why we will be following the progress of this research with interest."
- Emma Barnett: We can't ignore this disease that leaves one in 10 women like me in agony
- Women can wait years for an endometriosis diagnosis. New tech could change that
- Women with endometriosis face 'systemic misogyny'
