The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has recommended a new single saliva test that could help speed up the diagnosis of endometriosis in primary care, in a move that doctors say may reduce long waits for women living with the condition.
The BMJ reported that the recommendation is intended to support faster assessment while further evidence on the accuracy of the test is gathered. Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, and diagnosis has often taken years in the UK.
Aiming to shorten a long diagnostic journey
According to The BMJ, the average wait for an endometriosis diagnosis in the UK has stood at more than nine years, rising to 11 years for people from ethnically diverse communities. The new approach is designed to help clinicians in primary care identify patients sooner and reduce reliance on invasive procedures alone.
The BMJ said the test is one of two non-invasive options now able to be used in primary care while more evidence is collected. The change follows NICE guidance aimed at improving the route to diagnosis and easing pressure on patients who may otherwise face prolonged uncertainty.
Why the recommendation matters for frontline care
Endometriosis affects one in 10 women of reproductive age, around 1.5 million women in the UK, and is described by The BMJ as one of the leading causes of fertility problems. Until now, the only definitive way to confirm the condition has been laparoscopy, a surgical procedure that is invasive and costly.
The new recommendation gives primary care teams another option when assessing patients with suspected endometriosis. That could make it easier to move people into appropriate specialist pathways sooner, although the test is being introduced while further evidence is still collected.
What the latest guidance could mean for patients
The BMJ described the development as potentially “game changing” because it may reduce the time patients spend waiting for a diagnosis. For many women, that wait has included repeated appointments, ongoing pain, and delays to treatment and support.
With primary care often acting as the first point of contact, the move may help general practitioners and other clinicians respond more quickly when symptoms suggest endometriosis. The guidance is part of a broader effort to improve diagnosis without adding unnecessary delay for patients who need specialist care.
As NICE continues to review the evidence, the recommendation is likely to be closely watched by clinicians and patients alike. For now, it marks a significant shift in how suspected endometriosis may be assessed in the early stages of care. The BMJ report and related BMJ coverage detail the development.
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