What Is the Endometriosis Saliva Test (Endotest)?

Endotest is a non-invasive saliva test that detects endometriosis - a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis affects around 1 in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK¹, causing symptoms such as severe pelvic pain, painful periods, pain during sex and difficulty conceiving.

Despite being common, the average time to an endometriosis diagnosis in the UK is more than 9 years ¹. Endotest is designed to help shorten that wait, offering a clear positive or negative result. In a multicentre study of 971 women, the saliva signature correctly identified endometriosis in 97.3% of the women who had it³.

At LivingCare, you can access Endotest as part of a private endometriosis and adenomyosis assessment - without a GP referral and without long NHS waits.

Who Is Endotest For?

Endotest is designed for women aged 18 to 43 in whom endometriosis is suspected but not yet confirmed. LivingCare cannot accept samples from patients outside this age range. Endotest is not suitable if you are pregnant, have HIV, or are unwell or have an infection at the time of testing. It may be suitable if you have symptoms such as:

• chronic pelvic pain
• severe period pain (dysmenorrhoea)
• pain during or after sex (dyspareunia)
• difficulty conceiving
• pain during urination or bowel movements
• digestive issues, such as alternating diarrhoea and constipation

If you have been told your pain is "normal", have been dismissed, or simply want answers sooner than the NHS can currently provide them, it is worth discussing Endotest with our women's health team as part of a full clinical assessment.

How Does Endotest Work?

Endotest analyses a saliva sample for microRNAs - molecules that occur naturally in saliva and can indicate whether endometriosis is present [3]. The process is straightforward:

• Following your clinical consultation, your clinician will confirm whether Endotest is appropriate for you. The saliva sample can be collected in clinic, or a home collection may be arranged where appropriate. The sample itself is quick and usually comfortable, taking only a few minutes.
• The sample is sent to a specialist laboratory for analysis.
• The laboratory examines specific microRNA markers associated with endometriosis.
• Your results are returned to your clinician, who discusses the findings with you and advises on the appropriate next steps.

There is no invasive procedure. Results are typically returned within a few weeks. We will arrange a follow-up appointment to discuss your result and next steps.

What to Expect at Your Endotest Appointment in Sheffield

Before your appointment
‍For an accurate sample, please avoid eating, drinking, chewing gum, wearing lipstick, brushing your teeth, rinsing your mouth or smoking for at least 30 minutes before your saliva sample is collected [2]. Bring a list of any current medications and a short summary of your symptoms, including how long you have had them and any previous investigations.

During your appointment
‍Your appointment begins with a clinical consultation, where a member of our team takes a thorough symptom history and reviews any previous results or imaging. If Endotest is appropriate, your clinician will explain the test and confirm whether your saliva sample will be collected in clinic or via a home collection.

After your appointment
‍If you are completing the test at home, your collection kit will be provided with instructions for posting your sample. Your sample is sent to the laboratory for microRNA analysis. Results are typically available within a few weeks. A follow-up appointment will be arranged so your clinician can explain the result and discuss your next steps. Further investigations or ongoing management may still be recommended depending on your result and clinical circumstances, including pelvic ultrasound, transvaginal ultrasound, pelvic MRI, fertility assessment or specialist follow-up.

Your Results and Next Steps

Once your results are ready, your clinician will contact you to talk them through - you are never left to interpret them alone.

• A positive result confirms endometriosis is present [3] and gives your clinician clear, objective grounds to discuss treatment options, such as hormonal therapy or surgery, or further imaging to map any lesions.
• A negative result indicates endometriosis is not present. If your symptoms continue despite a negative result, your clinician may recommend other investigations.

Whatever your result, our team makes sure you leave with a clear plan and the support to take the next step.

Risks and Considerations of Endotest

Endotest is a simple, low-risk saliva sample - there are no needles and no recovery time associated with the collection itself. The test is clinician-led and should only be undertaken when it has been confirmed as suitable for you. Saliva collection may take place in clinic or, where appropriate, using a home collection kit.

Your clinician will explain what your result means in the context of your full clinical picture.

Why Choose LivingCare for Endometriosis Testing in Sheffield?

• Private access, no GP referral needed - book directly and be seen quickly, without waiting for an NHS appointment.
• Specialist clinical support - your result is interpreted within a proper consultation by an experienced clinician, not read as a standalone number.
• A pioneering diagnostic option - Endotest offers a non-invasive route to diagnosis for women across Yorkshire.
• Compassionate care - we know how exhausting the endometriosis diagnostic journey can be, and we take your symptoms seriously from the first appointment.
• Clinic in Sheffield - a convenient location for patients across Yorkshire.

Endotest sits within our wider women's health services, where our team can guide you through assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning. Book privately - no GP referral needed: book your women's health appointment.

References

• NICE - New technologies for endometriosis diagnosis in primary care
• Ziwig (test manufacturer) - Ziwig Endotest
• Bendifallah S and others - Validation of a Saliva Micro-RNA Signature for Endometriosis, NEJM Evidence 2025