The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has approved two new diagnostic tests for endometriosis to be used in UK GP surgeries [1].
This move aims to reduce the time women wait for a diagnosis of the condition. Currently, the average time to receive an endometriosis diagnosis is more than nine years [2].
The two approved tests, EndoSure and Endotest, are described as game-changers for the healthcare system [3]. By allowing these tests to be administered within primary-care settings, the NHS intends to identify the condition earlier and more efficiently [1].
Endometriosis affects around one in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK [2]. For many, the prolonged delay in diagnosis leads to years of untreated pain and complications, a gap the new testing protocol seeks to close [2].
The approval announced on July 7, 2026, shifts the diagnostic process toward the front line of medicine [1]. Previously, the path to a confirmed diagnosis often involved lengthy referrals and invasive procedures that could only be performed in specialized hospital settings [3].
By integrating EndoSure and Endotest into the general practitioner's toolkit, the NHS can streamline the patient journey. This transition is expected to alleviate pressure on specialist clinics while providing patients with faster answers [3].
“The average time to receive an endometriosis diagnosis is more than nine years.”
The shift of endometriosis diagnostics from specialist hospitals to primary-care GP surgeries represents a systemic attempt to lower the barrier to entry for women's health services. By reducing the diagnostic window from nearly a decade to a much shorter timeframe, the NHS may reduce long-term healthcare costs associated with advanced endometriosis and improve the quality of life for a significant portion of the female population.
