Scientists have developed a five-minute test for early detection of endometriosis

The study was published in the medical journal eClinicalMedicine.

The new method is called SAFE score (Simplified Adolescent Factors for Endometriosis). It is based on six questions that help determine the likelihood of developing endometriosis.

Details

The questions address symptoms and risk factors such as:

• frequent pelvic pain
• painful periods
• heavy menstrual bleeding
• using painkillers for menstrual pain
• seeking medical attention for pelvic pain
• having endometriosis in relatives.

Each factor increases the final score. The higher the score, the higher the likelihood of disease and the sooner the patient can be referred for further testing.

The developers used data from more than 9,000 women from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health.

Benefits

According to the study leader, Professor Gita Mishra, the main aim of the test is to reduce long delays in diagnosing the disease.

Today, many women are not diagnosed with endometriosis until six to eight years after the first symptoms appear.

Early detection can:

• start treatment sooner
• reduce chronic pain
• reduce the risk of fertility problems
• improve the quality of life of female patients.

The researchers hope that the test can be used by primary care physicians in the future, and that a mobile app for preliminary risk assessment could be based on it.

Background

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the mucous membrane of the uterus begins to grow outside of the uterus. This can cause severe pain, inflammation, and fertility problems.

According to research, endometriosis affects up to 10-11% of women of reproductive age.

Source

The study is published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, part of The Lancet group of medical journals.

Gita D. Mishra et al, Development of an early prediction model for endometriosis risk: the SAFE score, eClinicalMedicine (2026), DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.103806