Scientists edging closer towards finding a blood test for endometriosis

Endometriosis is when endometrial tissue (the tissue which lines the womb) is found outside the womb itself. The tissue grows blood vessels and bleeds in accordance to the menstrual cycle, and often causes debilitating pain to those who have it.  The prevalance varies from population to population, however it is thought to affect over 176 million women worldwide and has been diagnosed in 40-70% of women suffering from infertility. Recently, celebrities such as Lena Dunham and Halsey have opened up about their struggles with the disorder.
Currently endometriosis can only be diagnosed through laparoscopic surgery, however scientists have found a potentially much less invasive path of diagnosis which only involves a simple blood test.  Researchers found that mice which have endometriosis have a distinctly different lipid profile in their blood in comparison to normal mice when analysed, suggesting a potential new indicator for the disorder.  Though this is very early stage research, it does open the possibility of wider, quicker and a lower risk diagnosis for those who have suffered from long term pelvic pain with an unknown cause.

Read more here:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160615111708.htm

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Endometriosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx

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