A new blood test that identifies a unique hormone pattern linked to endometriosis could transform the diagnosis of the condition, with researchers reporting an accuracy rate of more than 95 percent in detecting the disease.
The findings offer hope for millions of women worldwide who often face years of uncertainty before receiving a diagnosis. Endometriosis affects an estimated 190 million people globally and is commonly diagnosed only after extensive medical examinations or surgery.
The condition occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing chronic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, fertility problems and other complications. Current diagnostic methods typically include pelvic examinations, ultrasound scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or laparoscopy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to examine the pelvic organs.
According to the World Health Organization, diagnosing endometriosis can take up to 12 years in some cases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to specialist care remains limited. In the United Kingdom, patients wait an average of more than nine years before receiving a confirmed diagnosis.
Researchers believe the newly developed blood test could significantly shorten that timeline by identifying a distinctive hormonal signature found only in women with the condition.
The study, conducted by scientists at the University of Edinburgh, examined blood samples from 159 women with confirmed endometriosis and 57 women without the disease. Instead of focusing solely on estrogen, which has long been associated with endometriosis, the researchers investigated the role of androgens, a group of hormones that includes testosterone and plays an important role in reproductive health, muscle development and bone strength.
Particular attention was given to 11-oxygenated androgens, hormones produced by the adrenal glands located above the kidneys.
The research revealed that women with endometriosis consistently displayed a distinct hormonal fingerprint, including elevated levels of 11-ketotestosterone, an androgen involved in muscle development and reproductive organ growth.
Using this hormone profile, researchers were able to distinguish women with endometriosis from those without the condition with an accuracy exceeding 95 percent.
Douglas Gibson, co-author of the study from the University of Edinburgh, described the findings as a significant advance in understanding the disease. He said the discovery could pave the way for earlier diagnosis as well as the development of new treatment options for patients.
Emma Cox, chief executive of Endometriosis UK, welcomed the research, saying women have faced unacceptably long waits for diagnosis for many years. She noted that delays often postpone treatment and allow the disease to progress, making symptoms more difficult to manage.
Although additional research and larger clinical trials will be needed before the blood test becomes part of routine medical care, experts believe the findings represent an important step toward faster, less invasive diagnosis. If validated in future studies, the test could reduce the need for surgical procedures and help patients begin treatment much earlier in the course of the disease.
