The race to find a better way to diagnose endometriosis is heating up

It's vital we improve our ability to identify cases of endometriosis, for the sake of women everywhere

- Dr Michelle Griffin

Endometriosis is a common condition where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow in other parts of the body.

It affects around 10 per cent of women, and up to 50 per cent of women who are infertile, and can have a significant impact on their quality of life. Yet, it remains very difficult to diagnose.

Currently, a diagnosis takes, on average, almost nine years and that figure is increasing.

There are several reasons for this. But the main one is that the symptoms of endometriosis, which include bloating, pelvic pain and painful periods, can be present in a number of other conditions, such as fibroids, ovarian cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease and irritable bowel syndrome.

Currently, the gold-standard test is a diagnostic laparoscopy. It takes place under general anaesthetic, during which a small camera is inserted into the patient (typically through an incision near their belly button) to view their pelvis and abdomen.

This way, the body’s internal cavities can be inspected, and any endometriotic lesions or cysts (endometriomas) can be identified and assessed.