“Endometriosis”, 1 in 10 women will hear this as their diagnosis after years of suffering from chronic pain and/or heartbreaking fertility issues. Symptoms of endometriosis can appear as early as the beginnings of puberty, but for most is observed as chronic pain that persists well into the menopausal years.
What is it?
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition that results in scar tissue being formed commonly in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, and areas surrounding the uterus (front, back and sides). This scar tissue knits together structures and organs that are not meant to be attached, and it is this that causes the pain experienced. Hormone fluctuations influence endometriosis, therefore pain and symptoms may vary during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Typically, symptoms can appear during ovulation, prior to menstruation and for most, are at the worst during the period phase of the cycle.
How can I tell if I have it?
Currently, there is a list of symptoms that a GP can refer to when considering if you have endometriosis. You can find this checklist on the Endometriosis Association of Irelands webpage here. However, unfortunately, endometriosis cannot be diagnosed by symptoms alone, and can only currently be diagnosed after a sample of scar tissue is surgically removed by laparoscopy and examined by a pathology lab. Several studies have found that the average delay in receiving a diagnosis for endometriosis in Ireland is 9 years!
However this no longer needs to be the case! In 2019, MDNA Life Sciences launched the world’s 1st ever blood test for endometriosis. The innovative technology behind this test was shown in a clinical study to accurately detect endometriosis in 9 out of 10 cases, even in its early stages!
This is incredibly exciting development for those suffering from this debilitating condition, and while the test can only currently be used for research purposes, MDNA have embarked on achieving its CE mark. Achieving this will enable its use for clinical diagnosis so that the journey to diagnosis is no longer arduous and ends in surgery but is as simple as a quick blood test with the results coming in days and not years!
For more information on the MDNA Life Sciences Endometriosis Test kit, please contact us below:
