Could menstrual blood be used as a non-invasive way to detect endometriosis?

(Meghan Holohan/ Today) — In her 20s, Christie Reuter experienced cramping and heavy periods that worsened over time. 

“I was in so much pain that I knew something was wrong,” the 37-year-old from West Islip, New York, told TODAY. “It’s hard to go about daily life just in pain, knowing like it’s more than just a week of cramps. I get pain when I ovulate as well and sometimes I get random pain for no reason.”

A doctor suspected endometriosis and suggested laparoscopy to diagnose it. That surgery confirmed that she had endometriosis but that doctor did not remove it — what’s called excision. This meant her symptoms continued as the disease progressed. The doctor also put her on a medication to suppress her hormones, but the side effects felt terrible and she stopped taking it after three months. (…0