When Will Blood Test for Endometriosis Be Available? Research Status

Key Takeaways

• Two blood tests for endometriosis are already commercially available, with PromarkerEndo having launched in Australia in the second half of 2025 and EndomTest available in the US since July 2025
• MicroRNA research shows promising results for teen-specific diagnosis, but these tests aren't ready for widespread clinical use yet
• Current diagnosis still takes 4-12 years on average, with young women facing additional dismissal from healthcare providers
• Commercial tests like Ziwig Endotest are already available across 13 European countries with high accuracy rates
• The biggest breakthrough may come from combining multiple biomarkers rather than relying on a single blood marker

The wait for a reliable blood test to diagnose endometriosis may be shorter than expected. While research continues to advance, some tests have already entered the market, offering new hope for faster diagnosis—especially important for teens and young adults who often face years of medical dismissal before getting answers.

Two Blood Tests Already Available, With More Promising Research Coming

The landscape of endometriosis diagnosis is changing rapidly. Two significant blood tests have already reached the commercial market, representing the first wave of non-invasive diagnostic options that could transform how the condition is identified.

Australian researchers have developed PromarkerEndo, a blood test that identifies 10 specific protein biomarkers. This test launched in Australia during the second half of 2025, marking a major milestone in endometriosis diagnosis. Meanwhile, Kephera Diagnostics launched EndomTest™ in the United States in July 2025, measuring two key biomarkers combined with clinical variables to provide diagnostic clarity.

These developments represent years of dedicated research finally reaching patients who need answers. The Lotus Endometriosis Institute has been tracking these advances closely, recognizing their potential impact on reducing diagnostic delays that plague young patients.

Why Current Diagnosis Takes 4-12 Years

The extended timeline for endometriosis diagnosis stems from multiple systemic issues within healthcare. Current diagnostic methods rely heavily on invasive procedures, while symptoms often get dismissed or misattributed to other conditions.

Surgery Remains the Gold Standard

Laparoscopic surgery continues to be the definitive method for confirming endometriosis diagnosis. This invasive procedure carries inherent risks, requires anesthesia, and can be expensive—creating barriers that delay diagnosis. Many healthcare providers hesitate to recommend surgery for younger patients, particularly teens, unless symptoms are severe enough to warrant the risks.

The surgical requirement creates a catch-22 situation: patients need confirmation to access specialized treatment, but they must undergo an invasive procedure to get that confirmation. This system particularly fails younger patients who may have early-stage disease that causes significant symptoms but appears minimal during surgical evaluation.

Young Women Face Extra Dismissal

Adolescents and young adults encounter additional challenges when seeking endometriosis diagnosis. Healthcare providers often dismiss severe menstrual pain as "normal," attributing symptoms to stress, anxiety, or other conditions. Cultural taboos around discussing menstrual health compound the problem, making it difficult for young patients to articulate their experiences.

The misconception that endometriosis only affects adult women creates another barrier. Many healthcare providers lack awareness about adolescent endometriosis, leading to delayed referrals and prolonged suffering. This dismissal can have lasting impacts on education, career development, and mental health during critical developmental years.

MicroRNA Research Shows Promise But Not Ready for Practice

Cutting-edge research into microRNAs represents one of the most promising avenues for developing accurate blood tests for endometriosis. These tiny genetic molecules circulate in the bloodstream and may hold the key to early, non-invasive diagnosis.

What MicroRNAs Tell Us About Disease

MicroRNAs function as cellular messengers, carrying information about tissue inflammation, hormonal changes, and disease processes. In endometriosis, these molecules create distinct patterns that researchers can potentially identify through blood analysis. Think of microRNAs as a biological fingerprint that reveals what's happening inside the body without requiring invasive procedures.

Research has identified specific microRNA signatures associated with endometriosis, with studies showing significant differences between patients with and without the condition. This molecular approach could theoretically detect the condition even in its earliest stages, when physical symptoms are present but surgical findings appear minimal.

Teen-Specific Studies Show Encouraging Results

Recent prospective studies focusing on patients aged 13-26 have yielded particularly encouraging results. Researchers found that many microRNAs in blood differed significantly between those diagnosed with endometriosis during surgery and those without the condition. These studies showed both elevated and decreased microRNA levels in the endometriosis group compared to controls.

These teen-focused studies matter because they address the specific population most often dismissed by healthcare providers. While their pain isn't minimal, traditional staging systems don't capture symptom severity well. A blood test capable of detecting early-stage disease could revolutionize care for this underserved population.

No Clinical Integration Yet Despite Progress

Despite promising research results, microRNA testing hasn't yet reached clinical practice. The technology requires further validation across diverse populations and different hormonal states. Many study participants use hormonal treatments that could affect biomarker levels, and cycle timing can influence results—factors that complicate real-world application.

Researchers must also address the challenge of defining appropriate control groups. Many studies compare endometriosis patients to those with pelvic pain but no visible disease during surgery, rather than truly healthy individuals. This approach may make tests appear more accurate in controlled settings than they would prove in general clinical use.

Commercial Tests Entering the Market Now

While research continues, several commercial blood tests have already achieved remarkable accuracy rates and gained regulatory approval in various markets. These tests represent the first generation of clinically available non-invasive diagnostic options.

Currently in the US there are no FDA approved tests available. The ones that are available, like the ones listed below, are offered via CLIA-certified labs (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments). What this means is that the laboratory where the tests are administered meet quality standards. It does not mean that the test itself is safe or effective. That is what the FDA process is for. So far, none of these have met that critical standard as of January 2026.

PromarkerEndo: 99.7% Accuracy in Severe Cases

PromarkerEndo, developed by Australian researchers through Proteomics International, demonstrated exceptional performance in peer-reviewed trials. The test achieved 99.7% accuracy in distinguishing severe endometriosis cases and maintained over 85% accuracy even in early-stage disease. This level of performance rivals surgical diagnosis while eliminating the risks and costs associated with invasive procedures.

The test works by analyzing 10 specific protein biomarkers in blood, creating a diagnostic profile. Unlike single-marker tests, this multi-biomarker approach provides more robust and reliable results across different patient populations and disease stages. Although 99.7% accuracy seems fantastic, keep in mind that this was with advance endo patients and there is still a false positive and negative rate until you hit 100%. That 0.3% difference means that some may undergo unnecessary treatment and others might still be missed. But we are almost there with technology like this.

EndomTest: Near-Perfect Results With Rare Exceptions

EndomTest™ has shown 100% specificity in published clinical validation studies, meaning it produces no false positive results. This "rule-in" diagnostic capability allows healthcare providers to confidently diagnose endometriosis when the test returns positive results. The test measures two key biomarkers—cancer antigen 125 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor—combined with clinical variables to generate diagnostic conclusions.

The perfect specificity makes EndomTest particularly valuable for avoiding unnecessary surgeries. When the test indicates endometriosis presence, providers can initiate treatment with confidence, potentially saving patients from diagnostic laparoscopy purely for confirmation purposes.

What "unnecessary" really means should be highly individualized. Keep in mind that surgery is still the cornerstone of treatment today. So, a positive test does not change that. What is does change is that you are less likely to emerge from a surgery where nothing was found and, as a result, not much was done.

Ziwig Endotest Available Across 13 European Countries

European patients already have access to saliva-based microRNA testing through the Ziwig Endotest, available across 13 countries. This test uses microRNA signatures in saliva as highly specific and sensitive biomarkers for endometriosis, offering another non-invasive diagnostic option.

The availability of multiple testing approaches—blood-based protein markers, combined biomarker panels, and saliva-based microRNA analysis—suggests that the future of endometriosis diagnosis will likely involve personalized testing strategies rather than a single universal approach.

What This Means for Your Care Today

While new testing options become available, patients still need practical strategies for working within current healthcare systems and advocating for appropriate care. Understanding what questions to ask and which symptoms require immediate attention can significantly improve care outcomes.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Effective communication with healthcare providers requires specific, targeted questions that focus on actionable next steps. Consider asking: "Given my symptoms, what's our working diagnosis and treatment plan?" This question demands concrete answers rather than vague reassurances.

Follow up with timeline-specific inquiries: "If we don't see improvement in 8-12 weeks, what's our plan B?" and "What criteria would prompt referral to a specialist or consideration of surgery?" These questions establish clear checkpoints and prevent indefinite "wait and see" approaches that leave patients suffering without progress.

For patients interested in emerging diagnostic options, ask: "Are there any blood tests for endometriosis available in our area, and would they change our treatment approach?" This question keeps providers informed about new developments while focusing on practical implications for care.

Red Flags That Need Immediate Attention

Certain symptoms warrant urgent evaluation rather than gradual treatment approaches. Rapidly worsening pain, fainting episodes during menstrual periods, uncontrolled vomiting with cycles, or severe pain accompanied by fever require prompt medical assessment. These symptoms could indicate complications that need immediate intervention.

Pain that interferes with basic daily activities despite treatment also merits expedited evaluation. Young patients shouldn't have to prove their pain severity through months of failed treatments before accessing specialized care or surgical evaluation.

Don't Wait for Perfect Tests to Get Relief

The emergence of blood tests for endometriosis represents significant progress, but patients shouldn't delay seeking treatment while waiting for perfect diagnostic tools. Current evidence-based treatments can provide substantial symptom relief and improve quality of life, regardless of diagnostic confirmation.

Effective endometriosis management focuses on symptom control and functional improvement rather than definitive diagnosis. Hormonal suppression, pain management strategies, and lifestyle modifications can significantly impact daily functioning while diagnostic technologies continue evolving.

The most important advance isn't necessarily a perfect blood test—it's healthcare providers who take symptoms seriously, create time-bound treatment plans, and don't require patients to suffer through years of diagnostic uncertainty before offering relief. Young patients deserve care that addresses their current needs while remaining open to new diagnostic possibilities as they become available.

For evaluation and advanced endometriosis care that combines the latest research with personalized treatment approaches, consider consulting with endometriosis specialists.

Lotus Endometriosis Institute
City: Arroyo Grande
Address: 154 Traffic Way
Website: https://lotusendo.com