There has been a lot in the news about ‘fusobacterium’ in relation to Endometriosis — so ScreenMe breaks this down, as well as highlighting how your vaginal microbiome can therefore play a key role in your Endometriosis journey! 

Endometriosis 

Endometriosis is a very common condition — affecting at least 1 in 10 women. As is unfortunately the case with many female conditions, Endometriosis is under-researched, underfunded and neglected in medicine; for example, the average length of time to even receive a diagnosis is 8 years! 

There has been noticeably little innovation in both diagnosis and treatment of Endometriosis, which the precise cause of which still being unknown. However, recent work is starting to try to put an end to this! 

What does the science say? 

• A 2023 study has linked the presence of Fusobacterium with Endometriosis. In this study, 64% of patients with Endometriosis had Fusobacterium present, whereas only 7% of those without Endometriosis had Fusobacterium present. 

Fusobacterium is associated with inflammation — this also being a key concern for those with Endometriosis, who as a result experience symptoms including: painful cramps, IBS symptoms, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and many others! 

This research thus suggests that the bacterial profile of vagina’s may be able to offer us an insight into conditions such as Endometriosis. This would help us to develop better diagnosis pathways for those who may have Endometriosis, but also to develop potential new treatments, which can target these bacteria species and associated inflammation. 

If you would like a more in-depth dive into the role of fusobacterium in endometriosis, and more about Endometriosis and current updates— then we would recommend this great piece in The Guardian! 

So, how can ScreenMe help? 

Our tests screen 100% of bacteria present in your vaginal microbiome — this includes: fusobacterium. 

[As well as other bacteria species such as: mycoplasma, ureaplasma, & BV related bacteria]. Basically — if it is there, we will pick it up with 99.9% accuracy! This is different to other tests [such as PCR & culture tests], which only screen for a selected number of bacteria, with lower accuracy!

Therefore, while research is not conclusive on the precise role of fusobacterium, knowing what bacteria are present in your microbiome can help you to understand the full picture of what is going on with your vaginal health. This is particularly important for those who have or believe they have Endometriosis, as those with Endometriosis are generally more likely to have an imbalanced vaginal microbiome. 

Tests are paired with a free 1:1 consultation with an intimate health practitioner, so you can understand what the presence and relative amounts of bacteria present means for you! They also guide you through a bespoke plan of action including nutrition, lifestyle, product, supplement recommendations, and more. 

Jessica Hobbis