Key facts
- A new blood test can identify a unique hormone pattern in individuals with endometriosis.
- The test achieved over 95% accuracy in identifying the condition.
- The research identified high levels of the androgen 11-ketotestosterone in women with endometriosis.
- Current diagnosis for endometriosis can take up to 12 years.
- The findings offer hope for earlier diagnosis and innovative treatments.
A new blood test has demonstrated the ability to identify a distinctive hormone pattern unique to individuals with endometriosis, potentially reducing the current diagnostic timeline which can extend up to 12 years. The study, published on July 8, 2026, found the test could identify this hormonal fingerprint with over 95% accuracy, a development that could significantly alter how the condition affecting 190 million people globally is diagnosed.
Endometriosis, characterized by uterine lining-like tissue growing outside the uterus, is typically diagnosed through methods such as pelvic exams, ultrasounds, MRIs, or laparoscopy. The World Health Organization notes that early diagnosis and effective treatment are often limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Emma Cox, chief executive of Endometriosis UK, highlighted the unacceptably long waits for diagnosis, averaging over nine years in the UK, which delays treatment and risks disease progression.
The research team analyzed hormone levels in the blood of 159 women diagnosed with endometriosis and 57 women without the condition. Their focus was on androgens, including 11-oxygenated androgens, and they discovered a distinct hormonal profile in women with endometriosis, marked by elevated levels of the androgen 11-ketotestosterone. This hormonal distinction allowed researchers to differentiate between patients with and without endometriosis with high accuracy.
Douglas Gibson, a co-author of the study from the University of Edinburgh, expressed optimism that these findings represent a significant breakthrough, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and the development of innovative treatments for those affected by endometriosis.