NICE Backs 2 Endometriosis Tests for 3-Year NHS Trial as Patients Warn on Specialist Gaps
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jul 12
NICE Backs 2 Endometriosis Tests for 3-Year NHS Trial as Patients Warn on Specialist Gaps
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 12
Summary
Draft NICE guidance would let GPs in England and Wales use two non-invasive endometriosis tests during a three-year NHS trial to speed referrals for a condition affecting 1 in 10 women and people assigned female at birth.
Endotest analyzes saliva for genetic material, while Endosure uses abdominal sensor pads to measure gut electrical signals; neither confirms endometriosis on its own but can flag patients for specialist assessment.
Patients and charities welcomed the move as long overdue, saying shorter diagnosis times could be "absolutely huge," but warned many GP practices will not get immediate access and specialist capacity remains uneven.
Abbie Filer, diagnosed only after surgery in 2024, said seven months with a catheter brought "no answers" and argued the tests may help only if clinicians first suspect endometriosis and referral backlogs are reduced.