NICE has recommended a single saliva test to help speed up the diagnosis of endometriosis in primary care, according to The BMJ, in a move that could change how the condition is identified in England. The recommendation comes amid long-standing concerns that many patients wait years for a diagnosis, with symptoms often dismissed or attributed to other causes before specialist assessment is considered.
A new route to earlier recognition in primary care
The BMJ reported on 16 September 2026 that NICE recommends a single saliva test to speed up diagnosis of endometriosis in primary care. The development is notable because it places a diagnostic step closer to the point where patients first present to family doctors, rather than requiring a longer pathway before testing becomes available.
Endometriosis is a condition that can cause persistent pain and other disruptive symptoms, and delays in diagnosis have been a recurring concern in UK healthcare. A more accessible test in primary care may help clinicians identify people who need further assessment sooner, though the recommendation itself does not by itself confirm a diagnosis in every case.
Why the move matters for patients and clinicians
The BMJ’s report places the NICE recommendation within a broader discussion of timely diagnosis and the pressures on primary care. If adopted widely, the saliva test could reduce the uncertainty faced by patients who have symptoms but no clear explanation, and it may help GPs decide more quickly who should be referred onward.
For clinicians, the change could also provide a clearer early step in the diagnostic process, potentially improving consistency in how suspected cases are managed across practices. The news comes at a time when The BMJ has also highlighted wider strain in NHS services, underscoring the importance of tools that may streamline care without adding unnecessary delay.
While the recommendation is significant, the practical impact will depend on how it is implemented in primary care and how quickly services can incorporate the new test into routine pathways. For patients living with symptoms, however, the move offers the prospect of a faster and less uncertain route to investigation.
Read the original report from The BMJ here.
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