Researchers have developed a saliva test that can be used to detect endometriosis. Finally, because diagnosis has come a long way so far.
It is one of the most common gynecological diseases and yet it means nothing to many people when they first hear it: we are talking about endometriosis. What is endometriosis? In this disease, benign but painful growths form outside the uterine cavity, especially during periods.
Precisely because the symptoms are often mistaken for normal period pain, many sufferers of Not taken seriously by doctors – similar to long-Covid patients. The disease is often diagnosed late or only discovered by accident. But that could change now, because researchers have developed a saliva test that is intended to quickly and reliably detect endometriosis.
Diagnosing endometriosis with a saliva test
Noisy Endometriosis Association estimates of the numbers affected are between eight and 15 percent of all women of childbearing age. In Germany alone, around 40,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. However, the number of unreported cases is likely to be large because the symptoms are non-specific. Headaches, back pain, menstrual pain, nausea, or pain during or after intercourse can all indicate endometriosis.
Tarrin Taraki says that women often have to go through a “whole diagnostic odyssey” before their disease is finally diagnosed. He is co-founder of the private laboratory Eluthia from Giessen and has now developed a saliva test in cooperation with French and Swiss colleaguesendometriosis, how he dem Gießen indicator says, “fast, risk-free and highly accurate”. It takes about two weeks to examine the micro-RNA in a saliva sample for specific patterns that indicate endometriosis.
More about periods and women’s health? here 21 Period Questions Only a Gynecologist Can Answer
Health insurance companies do not yet cover the costs of endometriosis tests
It has been since October 12th Endotest Diagnostic, which can detect endometriosis, is available in the market and can also be purchased by private individuals. However, it now costs around 800 euros, which is not covered by health insurance companies. For the Eluthia co-founder, however, that’s not a serious problem. “I’m very optimistic that we can convince the health insurance companies,” says Taraki Gießen indicator.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
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