Health · Medical Research · 1 day ago
New saliva and blood tests aim to detect endometriosis without surgery
Endometriosis happens when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body.
It affects at least one in 10 women of reproductive age, but diagnosis takes seven to nine years on average.
Scans do not reliably detect the disease, so many patients need surgery and a biopsy for a definite diagnosis.
Several companies now offer tests that look for possible signs of endometriosis in saliva, blood or gut activity.
The US Food and Drug Administration has not approved any non-invasive test for the disease.
Early studies found that two tests correctly identified more than 90% of people with and without endometriosis, but the studies were small and included many patients who already had the disease.
Experts say larger studies with a broader range of patients are needed to show how well the tests work in general.
Several startups are offering saliva, blood or other non-invasive tests intended to detect endometriosis without surgery.
No non-invasive endometriosis test has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Experts say evidence for the tests remains limited, with studies that were small and may not represent the broader population.
Endometriosis affects at least one in 10 women of reproductive age, and diagnosis takes an average of seven to nine years.
- Who
- Startups offering tests, people seeking an endometriosis diagnosis and medical experts discussing the evidence.
- What
- Companies are offering non-invasive tests intended to detect endometriosis. Experts say the evidence remains limited.
- When
- Not stated
- Where
- The tests are discussed in the United States; the article does not specify where they are offered.
- Why
- The tests aim to detect biomarkers associated with endometriosis and offer an alternative to invasive diagnosis.
Test companies
Medical experts
Evidence
Test companies
Companies offer tests backed by at least one peer-reviewed study for several products.
Medical experts
Experts say the evidence is limited and based on small studies that may not represent the general population.
Clinical use
Test companies
Some companies offer products for research or through a regulatory route.
Medical experts
The FDA has not approved any non-invasive endometriosis test.
The premise is good, because the current standard of care is invasive.
But one of the things I learned along the way is that you have to ask questions.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Diagnosis delay
- An average of seven to nine years
- Prevalence
- At least 1 in 10 women of reproductive age
- FDA status
- No non-invasive endometriosis test is approved
- Endotest study
- 971 patients
- EndoSure study
- 154 patients
Sources
Related news
Pope Leo to have surgery to remove an early-detected lung nodule
Pope Leo XIV to have surgery to remove early-stage lung nodule
ADHD and Later Cognitive Diagnoses: Why the Risk Estimate Needs Context
Higher Pre-Surgery A1c Linked to Macular Edema Risk After Cataract Surgery
Pope Leo XIV to have lung nodule removed in surgery this week
PRIMA retinal implant showed control of geographic atrophy for up to 3 years
Presley Gerber died at 27 after years of public struggle with addiction
Chewable gummy offers another oral-care option for people with dementia
Study asks how intense intercourse feels for each partner
Pope Leo XIV says he will have surgery to remove a lung lesion
Chiranjeevi urges people to seek early cancer screening
