All articles tagged with #endometriosis
Two non-invasive diagnostic tests, Endotest (saliva microRNAs) and EndoSure (electrical signals from the gut), have been approved for NHS funding to dramatically shorten the wait for an endometriosis diagnosis—from about nine years to days—potentially enabling earlier treatment and reducing reliance on invasive laparoscopy, with patient stories highlighting the relief of a faster, clearer diagnosis.
The NHS in England and Wales will offer rapid, non-invasive endometriosis tests, a move lauded by patients who endured years of pain and invasive diagnoses; it could slash the nine-year average wait for a diagnosis and spare women from multiple hospital visits, though a blood-test diagnostic is still being researched and access will matter.
A UK study identifies a distinctive androgen fingerprint in endometriosis, notably elevated 11-ketotestosterone, pointing to a non-invasive blood test that could diagnose the condition rapidly and reduce the current years-long diagnostic delay; researchers aim to develop the test and explore new treatments, with larger trials needed.
NICE approves two non-invasive tests—Endotest and EndoSure—for rapid endometriosis diagnosis on the NHS in England and Wales, with a three-year draft approval to gather more evidence. Endotest uses a saliva test for microRNAs; EndoSure measures gut electrical activity to produce results in about 45 minutes. A third test, DotEndo, needs more research. Intended for patients where suspicion remains after normal exams or inconclusive imaging, these tests aim to cut the typical multi-year diagnostic delay and speed access to treatment.
Edinburgh researchers identified a distinct blood androgen profile in women with endometriosis, enabling correct identification of the condition in over 95% of cases in a small study; this could lead to a non-surgical diagnostic blood test, but requires validation in larger, more diverse populations and comparison with other hormonal conditions; industry partners are sought to develop the test, and researchers hope it could shorten diagnosis times that currently average more than a decade in Scotland.
UK draft NHS guidance would let GPs offer two non-invasive tests— a saliva-based Endotest and a gut electrical-signal Endosure— to help identify endometriosis faster, alongside routine checks. The tests are not standalone diagnostics and access will vary, with laparoscopy still used for confirmation in many cases; the goal is to reduce long diagnostic waits while evidence on effectiveness is gathered.
New studies show menstrual fluid speeds skin wound healing, may enable noninvasive cervical cancer screening with high sensitivity, can help detect endometriosis with a simple test strip, and contains stem cells with regenerative potential for infertility and neurological conditions, suggesting period blood could become a valuable biomedical resource rather than waste.
Adenomyosis affects about one in ten women and can cause heavy, painful, and irregular periods, yet many patients report dismissal by clinicians and stigma in the workplace. The condition is hard to diagnose, with research exploring blood tests and home kits for earlier detection, while advocates call for greater education and awareness of menstrual health.
Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin revealed they’re expecting their first child, announced amid social media buzz following a frightening home invasion in which Sprouse reportedly restrained a trespasser until police arrived. The pregnancy news surfaced after their Cannes appearance, with Palvin previously opening up about endometriosis. No one was injured, and commenters linked the scary incident to the timing of the baby news.
Model Barbara Palvin and actor Dylan Sprouse announced at the Cannes Film Festival that they’re expecting their first child, with Palvin showing a baby bump on the red carpet. The couple, who wed in 2023 after nearly a decade together, have publicly discussed Palvin’s endometriosis diagnosis and surgery in 2025 to raise awareness about the condition.
Robert Irwin and Terri Irwin tell E! News that Bindi Irwin is doing much better despite her endometriosis, noting she’s staying closer to home and slowly resuming conservation work, though travel remains challenging; the update came during the Steve Irwin Gala in Las Vegas in an exclusive interview.
Endometriosis affects about 1 in 10 women and is often misdiagnosed for a decade. Experts urge patients not to normalize chronic pain and to advocate for care. Management centers on an anti-inflammatory lifestyle (Mediterranean diet, omega-3s, regular exercise, acupuncture) and may include supplements; medical options to suppress ovulation exist but aren’t curative, and surgery is not a guaranteed cure. Diagnosis lacks a gold-standard tool, and infertility is common in affected couples, underscoring the need for holistic, proactive care.
Oxford researchers tested a CT scan paired with the tracer maraciclatide to spot early endometriosis. In a small pilot, the technique correctly detected endometriosis in 16 of 19 cases and matched 14 of 17 surgically confirmed diagnoses, suggesting a non-invasive path to earlier diagnosis. If confirmed in larger studies, it could shorten the current diagnostic journey that often requires invasive laparoscopy and help patients start treatment sooner.
A small trial (19 women) of the maraciclatide radiotracer with SPECT-CT found the scans matched surgical diagnoses in 16 of 19 cases and had no false positives, suggesting a non-invasive method could shorten the current lengthy delay in diagnosing endometriosis—especially for superficial peritoneal disease—though confirmation in larger phase 3 trials is needed.
Across the U.S., women are increasingly using cannabis to manage menopause symptoms, chronic pain, endometriosis, and cancer-treatment side effects, a movement driven by patient experiences, women-led cannabis businesses (notably in Oklahoma), and research highlighting cannabis’ potential—though it is not a cure-all and policy gaps remain.