For years, people with endometriosis have been asked to wait — not just for relief, but often more than a decade for a definitive diagnosis. Now, new research published in ACS Central Science suggests that long delays may soon become a thing of the past.

Scientists have developed a simple at-home strip test, working much like a pregnancy test, that can identify HMGB1 — a protein closely linked to endometriosis — directly from menstrual blood. It’s a discreet, highly sensitive method that could dramatically speed up diagnosis for millions.

Below, how the technology works, why menstrual blood is emerging as an important diagnostic tool, and what this could mean for the future of reproductive health.

How the new endometriosis test works

The device is designed to be as intuitive as a home pregnancy test. It requires just a drop of menstrual blood, which travels along a narrow strip coated with finely engineered borophene nanosheets. These nanosheets are lined with antibodies that bind specifically to HMGB1. If the protein is present, two lines appear; if not, the test shows one.

HMGB1 is a protein associated with inflammation and tissue repair, and elevated levels have been linked to the development and progression of endometriosis. By targeting this specific biomarker, the test offers a way to identify the condition at earlier stages, potentially even before debilitating symptoms escalate.

What sets this apart is not the format, but the sensitivity: it can detect low levels of HMGB1 that traditional laboratory methods frequently miss.

Menstrual blood has under-utilised diagnostic power

According to the study, menstrual blood carries a wealth of biological information. Despite this, it has long been overlooked in clinical diagnostics due to persistent stigma and a lack of accessible tools ad research. This new test challenges that barrier, offering a non-invasive option that taps into data already naturally shed each month.

When might this test be available?

While availability to the public might still be some months away,  researchers are already exploring ways to embed the technology directly into menstrual pads or similar products. Such integration could turn a standard monthly routine into a private, effortless screening tool.