Can a gut microbiome test detect endometriosis sooner?

Research into the role of the gut microbiome in endometriosis is still ongoing, but there is evidence that changes in the gut microbiome may be associated with the development and progression of endometriosis.

Some studies suggest that an imbalanced gut microbiota (dysbiosis) may contribute to inflammatory processes that worsen endometriosis, as the interactions between the immune system and the microbiome influence inflammation and hormonal regulation.

Currently, a microbial test for the gut microbiome is not a recognized method for diagnosing endometriosis. Diagnosis of endometriosis is typically made through imaging (such as ultrasound or MRI) and often confirmed by laparoscopy.

However, if the microbiome is shown to play a larger role, future tests may be able to provide earlier clues to the presence of inflammatory conditions such as endometriosis. However, this will require more clinical research to determine which specific microbial patterns or markers may be predictive of endometriosis.

In short, while there is potential for faster detection via the microbiome in the future, we are not yet at the point where such tests are clinically applicable.

Source: https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(24)00373-8

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-10-15 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025