The NHS has confirmed a major change for anyone with endometriosis in England and Wales: rapid diagnostic tests are being rolled out as a "gamechanger." Two tests, EndoSure and Endotest, can speed up diagnosis of the condition, which affects around 1 in 10 women of reproductive age.
New Tests Cut Diagnosis Time Dramatically
Dr Anastasia Chalkidou, Nice’s healthtech programme director, said: “A diagnosis of endometriosis can for some women take the best part of a decade, with the UK average standing at nine years and four months, and rising to 11 years for those from ethnically diverse communities.” She added: “These technologies have the potential to change that by giving primary care professionals better non-invasive tools to identify endometriosis earlier, allowing earlier and better treatment.”
How the Tests Work
The tests are non-invasive and can be performed in primary care, avoiding the need for laparoscopic surgery, which is currently the gold standard for diagnosis. This means patients can get results in weeks rather than years.
Expert and Patient Reactions
Dr Gail Busby, a consultant gynaecologist at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “These tests are a gamechanger because they give us answers much earlier, without the need for invasive surgery, and that means we can start the right treatment sooner. An earlier diagnosis doesn’t just change one person’s life, it frees up appointments and surgical slots for everyone waiting for care.”
Emma Cox, of Endometriosis UK, also welcomed the tests but stressed they should come with education for GPs and nurses to ensure prompt access and an end to symptoms not being recognised.
Impact on Waiting Lists and Care
Endometriosis is often found in areas around the womb, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and lining of the pelvis, the NHS says on its website. It sometimes affects organs, such as the bladder and bowel, and can be found in areas outside the pelvis, such as in the chest. Symptoms happen when patches of endometriosis break down and bleed but cannot leave the body. The new tests could reduce the burden on surgical services and improve quality of life for thousands of women.
