Scientists have developed a simple five-minute test that could help detect endometriosis years earlier, offering hope to millions of women who currently face long delays before receiving a diagnosis.
Endometriosis affects around one in ten women worldwide – roughly 190 million people – and occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere in the body.
The condition can cause chronic pelvic pain, heavy periods and fertility problems and symptoms can severely disrupt daily life.
Despite this, many women struggle for years to have their symptoms recognised. In the UK, the average time to receive a diagnosis has now reached nine years and four months, up from eight years in 2020.
Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia say their new screening tool could help identify those most at risk far sooner.
The test, known as the Simplified Adolescent Factors for Endometriosis (SAFE) score, uses a short questionnaire designed to flag girls and young women who may need further investigation.
Patients are asked six questions about symptoms, including pelvic pain, whether they have sought treatment for it, whether they regularly take painkillers, if they experience heavy bleeding or painful periods, and whether there is a family history of endometriosis.
The answers are used to generate a point-based score, which can help GPs decide whether a patient should be referred to a specialist for further assessment.
Scientists have developed a five-minute test that could help detect endometriosis years earlier
Professor Gita Mishra, director of the Australian Women and Girls’ Health Research Centre at the University of Queensland, said the test could help reduce the years many patients currently wait for a diagnosis.
She said the questionnaire was designed to detect girls or young women who may be at risk and require further investigation.
‘Identifying which patients should be referred and treated is challenging, and improving how patients are diagnosed is a major priority,’ she said.
‘By detecting endometriosis earlier – ideally in adolescents soon after their periods begin – we hope the tool will reduce the average six to eight year diagnostic delay so treatment can begin as early as possible.’
The researchers developed the scoring system using data from more than 9,000 participants in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health.
Endometriosis is often only confirmed through surgery, although doctors are increasingly using ultrasound and MRI scans to help identify the condition.
Researchers say earlier diagnosis is crucial, as many women are only diagnosed in their late twenties, often when they are trying to become pregnant.
The findings were published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, and the next stage of the research will involve testing how well the tool works in real clinical settings.
It comes as the latest survey by Endometriosis UK found that 39 per cent of respondents reported needing to visit their GP 10 times or more before the condition was suspected.
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere in the body
More than half – 55 per cent – said they had attended A&E with their symptoms. Of those, 46 per cent were sent home without treatment.
There is currently no cure for endometriosis. Treatment typically involves pain relief or hormonal options such as the contraceptive pill or Mirena coil, which thins the endometrial lining to suppress growth and reduce pain.
In severe cases, and if all other treatments have failed, doctors may suggest early menopause. This can be induced chemically using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists to stop the ovaries from working, or surgically via a hysterectomy.
Putting a woman into early menopause stops the production of key hormones such as oestrogen. Patients may then require hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to manage symptoms including hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness.
A surgically induced menopause is permanent and means a woman can no longer have children. Chemically induced menopause may be reversible.
Endometriosis UK is calling on all UK governments to commit to reducing the average diagnosis time to one year or less by 2030, including cutting gynaecology waiting lists, improving menstrual health education and ensuring better training for healthcare professionals.
