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Endotest Endometriosis Saliva Test
A saliva test that sequences micro-RNA and uses an algorithm to help a clinician assess how likely it is that a woman's symptoms are due to endometriosis.
- Doctor-reviewed results
- Laboratory analysis
- 10+ working days from lab receipt
- No fasting required
What’s included
Included tests listed below
Endometriosis micro-RNA signature (saliva)
A saliva sample is sequenced for a panel of micro-RNAs, and an algorithm uses the pattern to estimate how likely it is that symptoms are due to endometriosis. It is a likelihood assessment, not a diagnosis.
Overview
In the UK it takes on average nearly nine years to be diagnosed with endometriosis, and the definitive test is keyhole surgery. Endotest is a saliva test that reads micro-RNA patterns to estimate how likely it is that symptoms are due to endometriosis. It is for women aged 18 to 43 with symptoms, and gives you and your clinician a non-invasive piece of evidence to bring to that conversation.
It offers a non-invasive route to that assessment for women with pelvic pain who would otherwise face a long diagnostic journey. It reports on endometriosis likelihood only, not on any other cause of pelvic pain, fertility or disease severity. It does not diagnose endometriosis and does not replace laparoscopy, which remains the gold-standard diagnostic test.
Who this is for and who it isn’t
Who it’s for
- Women aged 18 to 43, the group it is validated for
- Women aged 18 to 43 with painful periods, pain during sex or pelvic pain between periods
- Anyone who has waited years without a clear answer
Who it isn’t for
- It estimates the likelihood of endometriosis only. It is not a diagnosis, does not replace laparoscopy, and says nothing about severity, location or fertility. It does not look for other causes of pelvic pain such as fibroids, infection or bowel conditions, which still need assessment.
- The manufacturer only recommends the test for women aged 18 to 43, and advises against it if you are pregnant, have or have had cancer, have HIV or another condition that weakens the immune system, or have had a gynaecological infection that needed surgery.
- Anyone with a new, severe or worsening symptom: contact your GP or call NHS 111. A test you buy today is not a substitute for being examined.
Common reasons people choose this test
- Painful periods that stop you doing normal things
- Pain during or after sex
- Pelvic pain between periods
- Difficulty conceiving alongside painful periods
- Years of symptoms without a clear answer
These are reasons people choose to test, not signs that something is wrong. A result is one part of a picture your doctor puts together with your history and an examination.
What your result looks like
Every result is shown with the unit and the reference range exactly as the laboratory reported it, with the doctor’s note underneath.
- Endometriosis micro-RNA signature (saliva)
- Result
- n/a
- Range
- on your report
| Marker | Result | Units | Range | Flag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endometriosis micro-RNA signature (saliva) | n/a | n/a | on your report | n/a |
Values above are examples. Your report shows your own results with the laboratory’s units and reference range for your age and sex, reviewed, signed and released by a GMC-registered doctor.
How it works
- Your kit arrivesPosted to your door, with instructions and what you need to send your sample back.
- You take your sampleA saliva sample you collect at home, using the kit we post you
- The laboratory analyses itYour sample is processed for the measurements included in this test. Lab processing typically takes 10+ working days from receipt of your sample.
- A doctor reviews and releases itA GMC-registered doctor reads every result and signs the report before it reaches you.
- Sample
- Home saliva kit
- Preparation
- No fasting required
- Who it's for
- Women · ages 18–43
How to prepare
What we can and can’t tell you
Reported sensitivity is above 97% and specificity above 93%, which means false negatives and false positives both occur. A negative result does not exclude endometriosis and a positive result does not on its own determine treatment. Laparoscopy remains the gold-standard test for diagnosing endometriosis. The performance figures are the manufacturer's. A poorly collected saliva sample can invalidate the result. It gives no information about disease stage, fertility outlook, or any other cause of pelvic pain, and results must be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms and imaging.
The reference range beside each result is the laboratory’s own. A result in range is not a clean bill of health and a result outside it is not a diagnosis. Most ranges cover about 95% of healthy people, so about 1 in 20 healthy people fall just outside any one range. No test result replaces an examination or your own doctor’s judgement, and none of these panels is a cancer screening programme.
Read the full note
This is a saliva-based assessment of endometriosis likelihood, not a routine blood panel with a set of normal ranges. It does not describe disease stage, location, fertility outlook or other causes of pelvic pain. Neither a lower- nor higher-likelihood finding should be used on its own to decide whether symptoms need investigation or treatment.
Discuss ongoing symptoms with your clinician.
Frequently asked questions
How do I take the sample?
You spit into a collection tube, following the kit instructions. For 30 minutes beforehand, do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, brush your teeth or wear lipstick, and do not take the sample if you have been drinking alcohol. First thing in the morning on an empty stomach is recommended, but not required. The saliva needs to be clear: if it is coloured or has food in it, the sample may not be usable.
Why does it take longer than other tests?
This involves specialist sequencing and analysis rather than routine laboratory chemistry. Allow the processing time shown above, plus sample transport and doctor review. Contact us before ordering if timing is important; this is not an urgent diagnostic pathway.
What do I do with the result?
The reviewing doctor explains it and writes it up so you can take it to your GP or gynaecologist. Referral decisions still rest on your symptoms and examination, and a lower-likelihood result is not a reason to stop seeking help if your symptoms continue.
How long do results take?
The laboratory typically takes 10+ working days from receiving your sample. This does not include kit delivery, sample collection or return postage. A doctor reviews your results before they are released.
Can I choose a home kit or a clinic?
This test uses a saliva sample you collect at home, not a blood sample. The kit arrives by post with step-by-step instructions and what you need to send it back.
Is a doctor involved?
Yes. Every result is reviewed by a GMC-registered doctor who signs it off and explains what it means and what to do next.
Is it confidential?
Your results are available through your secure patient portal. Our privacy policy explains how your information is handled and when it may be shared to provide your care.
What happens to my sample and results?
Your saliva sample goes through specialist micro-RNA analysis. A GMC-registered doctor then reads the result and signs the report before it is released to your secure portal. The report explains the finding and how it relates to your symptoms and any previous investigations, so you can discuss it with your GP or gynaecologist. The laboratory stage takes about 25 days from when your sample arrives, so allow extra time for postage and the doctor's review, and contact us before ordering if you need the result by a particular date.
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