New Innovations in Endometriosis Diagnosis and Treatment in the UK

Endometriosis Awareness Month March 2026

Endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in 10 women in the UK, yet many patients still face an average diagnostic delay of 7–10 years. Symptoms such as severe period pain, pelvic pain, fatigue, and fertility difficulties are often dismissed or misdiagnosed, leaving many women searching for answers for years.

However, research and innovation in endometriosis care are accelerating. During Endometriosis Awareness Month, it’s an important time to highlight some of the new diagnostic and treatment advances now emerging in the UK, particularly the Ziwig Endotest diagnostic test and new oral treatment options including Ryeqo and Linzagolix.

These developments are helping clinicians move toward earlier diagnosis, less invasive testing, and more personalised hormonal treatments for endometriosis.

The Challenge of Diagnosing Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the womb, often affecting the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel and pelvic lining. The condition can cause:

• Severe menstrual pain
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Pain during intercourse
• Fatigue and inflammation
• Fertility difficulties

Historically, the gold standard for diagnosis has been laparoscopic surgery, meaning many patients must undergo an invasive procedure before receiving confirmation.

This is where new diagnostic tools such as the Ziwig Endotest could transform the diagnostic pathway.

Ziwig Endotest: A Non-Invasive Diagnostic Breakthrough

The Ziwig Endotest is one of the most significant innovations in endometriosis diagnosis in recent years.

Unlike traditional diagnostic approaches, the test uses a simple saliva sample to detect molecular markers associated with endometriosis.

How it works

The test analyses microRNA signatures found in saliva using advanced genomic sequencing and artificial intelligence. These molecular signals are associated with the biological processes involved in endometriosis.

Clinical studies have shown:

• Sensitivity around 97% in identifying endometriosis
• Specificity above 93% in distinguishing those without the condition
• The ability to detect both early and advanced disease

Meaning this test could help shorten diagnostic delays and reduce the need for diagnostic surgery in the future.

Why this matters for patients

If widely adopted, tests like Ziwig Endotest could:

• Reduce diagnostic delays
• Minimise the need for diagnostic surgery
• Enable earlier treatment and fertility planning
• Validate symptoms for patients who have struggled to be believed

For UK patients, this type of innovation could represent a major step toward faster, less invasive diagnosis.

The Women’s Hormone Clinic is proud to offer the Ziwig Endotest, helping patients access earlier, less invasive diagnostic support.

Ryeqo: A New Daily Treatment Option

Hormones play a key role in the development and progression of Endometriosis, as oestrogen stimulates the growth of endometrial-like tissue outside the womb.

One of the newest treatment options is Ryeqo, an oral medication designed to reduce hormone stimulation of endometriosis lesions. Approved for NHS use in the UK, it is the first long-term daily tablet designed to treat endometriosis symptoms.

How Ryeqo works

Ryeqo contains:

• Relugolix, a GnRH antagonist that suppresses ovarian hormone production
• Estradiol and norethisterone, which act as “add-back therapy” to maintain safe hormone levels and reduce menopausal side effects

This combination helps lower oestrogen levels enough to reduce endometriosis activity while protecting bone health and minimising side effects.

Benefits of Ryeqo

Clinical studies show Ryeqo can help:

• Reduce menstrual pain
• Improve non-menstrual pelvic pain
• Provide a convenient once-daily tablet option

Because it is taken orally, Ryeqo also avoids the need for injections that were previously common with older GnRH treatments.

Linzagolix: A Flexible New GnRH Antagonist

Another emerging treatment option is Linzagolix, an oral GnRH antagonist developed specifically to treat endometriosis-associated pain. Recently approved for use in England for patients who have not responded to previous treatments, linzagolix offers another targeted option for managing endometriosis-related pain.

Like Ryeqo, linzagolix works by reducing the hormones that stimulate endometriosis tissue growth, helping decrease inflammation and pain.

Key features of Linzagolix

One of the major advantages of linzagolix is dose flexibility, allowing clinicians to tailor treatment based on symptom severity and patient tolerance.

Depending on the dose used, the medication may:

• Suppress oestrogen partially or more fully
• Be used with or without hormone add-back therapy
• Provide a personalised treatment approach

Clinical trials have shown significant reductions in pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea, making linzagolix another promising addition to the treatment landscape.

Seeking Specialist Hormone Support

If you are experiencing symptoms such as severe period pain, chronic pelvic pain, fatigue or fertility challenges, specialist hormone assessment may help identify whether endometriosis or another hormonal condition could be contributing.

Early diagnosis and tailored treatment plans can make a significant difference in long-term symptom control, reproductive health and overall wellbeing.

Looking Ahead

Greater awareness, ongoing research and improved access to innovative diagnostics and therapies are essential to improving outcomes for women living with Endometriosis.

As research continues, the future of endometriosis care is likely to include:

• Earlier molecular diagnostics
• More targeted hormonal therapies
• Personalised treatment plans based on symptoms, fertility goals and hormone sensitivity



For patients and clinicians alike, these innovations represent a long-awaited step forward in addressing a condition that has historically been overlooked.