-- Lotus Endometriosis Institute has released a guide highlighting research that could transform how endometriosis is diagnosed in adolescents and young adults. A prospective clinical study published by Vash-Margita and colleagues in 2025 identified a unique microRNA signature in the serum of patients aged 13-26 with endometriosis, revealing four microRNAs significantly upregulated and 18 downregulated compared to controls. This marks the first research to reveal differential abundance of microRNAs specifically in adolescent patients, distinguishing it from prior adult-focused work and offering hope for a future non-invasive blood test for endometriosis diagnosis—though the institute emphasizes that such a test is not yet clinically available.
More information is available at Lotus Endometriosis Institute Clinical Research
The research addresses a critical gap in care for teens and young adults experiencing chronic pelvic pain. Laparoscopic surgery remains the gold standard for confirming endometriosis, yet diagnostic delays average seven to 10 years from symptom onset according to research studies and literature reviews. Currently, no widely accepted, reliable non-invasive diagnostic test exists. Many younger patients are dismissed as having normal cramps or anxiety while they miss school, work, and daily activities. The guide explains how this delay disproportionately affects adolescents, who are often disbelieved and left in diagnostic limbo despite debilitating symptoms.
MicroRNAs are small genetic signals released into the bloodstream that shift with inflammation and disease, making them promising candidates for detecting endometriosis through a simple blood draw. The study enrolled 63 patients undergoing gynecologic surgery between 2019 and 2024. Many adolescents diagnosed with endometriosis present with minimal disease on imaging—classified as rASRM early stage—yet experience severe symptoms, meaning any useful test must detect the condition even with low disease burden. This research directly targets that clinically relevant population, offering a pathway toward earlier identification without invasive procedures.
While promising, the guide acknowledges significant barriers to clinical translation that prevent immediate use. Hormonal treatments such as birth control pills, progestins, and IUDs—common in teen and young adult care—can alter blood markers and microRNAs, complicating test accuracy. Cycle timing variability matters but is often unknown in real-world practice. Control groups in surgery-based studies may include patients with other pelvic pain conditions, blurring diagnostic precision. The guide addresses these complexities honestly, helping readers understand the validation requirements before any test can be trusted in clinical settings. Other blood-based tests are also in development, including Kephera Diagnostics' EndomTest, which combines serum biomarkers with clinical variables, Australia's PromarkerEndo test identifying 10 plasma protein biomarkers, and a Penn State menstrual blood test detecting HMGB1 with 500 percent greater sensitivity than current laboratory methods. Currently, as of January 2026, none of these tests are FDA approved. However, some are offered at CLIA certified labs. This means that Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments quality standards were met for the lab where the test is available. It does not mean that the test itself is safe or effective. The FDA is tasked with approval if a test is safe and effective. So far this standard has not been met.
The Lotus guide does not encourage patients to wait for a blood test before pursuing care. Instead, it advises that symptom relief, function restoration, and access to endometriosis-informed clinicians should drive treatment decisions now. The resource includes actionable questions for patients to ask at appointments, such as 'What's our working diagnosis and why?', 'What's the step-by-step plan for the next three to six months?', and 'Do you suspect adenomyosis too?' A potential future blood test could be most helpful for documentation, avoiding unnecessary surgery for diagnosis alone, and justifying accommodations—but it is not required for starting evidence-based treatment. The guide bridges hope and realism, validating that teen and young adult pain is being researched with urgency while protecting readers from endless waiting.
The guide release reflects Lotus Endometriosis Institute's focus on advancing care through research, education, and evidence-based practice, including their own affiliated translational laboratory and clinical research in this major area of interest. Led by Dr. Steven Vasilev, who brings more than 30 years of clinical and research experience and four board certifications, the institute combines advanced surgical expertise with whole-person integrative care and educational content. Readers can access the full guide on the Lotus website, which provides clear answers and expert-guided insights specific to teens and young adults. The institute offers evaluation, surgery, and integrative recovery for those ready to pursue care now while staying informed about future diagnostic advances.
For more details, visit https://lotusendo.com
Contact Info:
Name: Dr. Steven Vasilev
Email: Send Email
Organization: Lotus Endometriosis Institute
Address: 154 Traffic Way, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420, United States
Website: https://lotusendo.com
Release ID: 89180869