News summary produced by Claude AI
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence released draft guidance this week recommending two new non-invasive tests be made available through the NHS to help diagnose endometriosis more quickly. The condition, which affects one in 10 women and people assigned female at birth in the UK, occurs when tissue similar to the womb lining grows outside of it. Symptoms can include pelvic pain, heavy periods, fatigue, and infertility, often leading to years of delayed diagnosis.
The proposed tests—Endosure, which measures electrical signals in the gut using sensor pads, and Endotest, a spit test that looks for genetic material—will be offered by GPs in England and Wales during a three-year trial period. While the tests cannot provide absolute confirmation, they may indicate endometriosis and lead to referral to specialist services. However, not all GPs will have immediate access, and healthcare professionals with expertise in endometriosis diagnosis and management must oversee their use.
Patient advocates and support organizations have welcomed the initiative but highlighted ongoing challenges. Abbie Filer, a 27-year-old from Leeds diagnosed in 2024, expressed concerns that limited understanding of endometriosis among healthcare providers could prevent appropriate test referrals. She and her peer support group described the tests as a partial measure rather than a comprehensive solution. Helen Brewster, charity executive at Hey Endo!, emphasized that while the tests represent positive progress, adequate service infrastructure must accompany wider testing availability to address potential increases in referral demand.
Dr. Sarah Jarvis, a GP, noted that the tests could help reduce diagnosis times significantly by providing indications that fast-track patients to specialist care. She pointed out that endometriosis symptoms often overlap with other conditions, sometimes leading patients to receive incorrect diagnoses such as irritable bowel syndrome. Service provision disparities also remain a concern, as specialized endometriosis centres exist in some areas like Leeds but are not universally available across the country.