Menstrual Blood Test May Detect Endometriosis Without Surgery: Study

For millions of women living with unexplained pelvic pain, a diagnosis may finally be getting closer, without the need for surgery.

A new study published in Nature suggests that endometriosis, a painful and often overlooked gynecological condition, could one day be detected through a simple analysis of menstrual blood. The breakthrough offers hope for faster, safer, and more accessible diagnosis of a disease that affects nearly 10% of women of reproductive age worldwide.

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the womb, commonly affecting the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic tissues. The condition can cause severe menstrual pain, chronic pelvic discomfort, heavy bleeding, fertility problems, and fatigue. Yet diagnosis is often delayed by seven to ten years, leaving many women to suffer without answers.

Currently, the gold standard for diagnosing endometriosis is laparoscopy, an invasive surgical procedure that carries risks and is not easily accessible to everyone. Researchers are now exploring whether menstrual blood can provide the same clues without surgery.

The study found that menstrual blood contains biological markers that differ between women with and without endometriosis. Scientists are investigating changes in immune cells, inflammatory signals, and genetic markers linked to the condition. These differences could eventually form the basis of a non-invasive diagnostic test.

If validated, such a test could transform women's healthcare. It may allow earlier diagnosis, reduce years of misdiagnosis, and improve access to screening, particularly in low-resource settings where surgical testing is difficult to obtain. Young women, whose symptoms are often dismissed or overlooked, could especially benefit from earlier detection.

However, researchers caution that the test is still in development. Larger studies are needed to confirm its accuracy and reliability before it can replace current diagnostic methods.

Experts emphasize that women experiencing chronic pelvic pain, severe menstrual cramps, painful intercourse, heavy bleeding, or unexplained fertility issues should seek medical evaluation.

REFERENCE: Wong W, Yu Y, Hu Y ; Noninvasive Blood-based Detection of Endometriosis Can Improve Standard-of-Care by Facilitating Early Diagnosis and Clinical Management among Symptomatic Women; Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, 2026; DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2026.02.042