An Australian researcher has developed groundbreaking artificial intelligence technology that could reduce the time to diagnose endometriosis from an average of six-and-a-half years to less than 12 months. Associate Professor Jodie Avery, a public health researcher and Research Co-Lead of Chronic Reproductive Diseases at the Robinson Research Institute, is leading the push to modernise detection of the condition, which affects around one in seven Australian women.
How AI transforms diagnosis
The research uses advanced imaging techniques, including transvaginal ultrasound and MRI scans, combined with machine learning. By training AI systems to recognise patterns across both imaging types, researchers can enhance diagnostic accuracy. “We essentially use one imaging modality to teach the other what to look for,” Professor Avery explains. “That means a woman may eventually only need one scan, but with far more diagnostic value.”
Currently, endometriosis diagnosis often involves invasive surgery and lengthy delays. This new approach aims to cut that delay to under one year, allowing earlier intervention and better management.
Hidden prevalence and lack of awareness
Professor Avery’s early findings highlight a major challenge: many women have endometriosis without realising it. In a screening study of 100 women with no known diagnosis, researchers found that 20 per cent had the condition despite reporting no symptoms. Others experience symptoms such as bloating or irregular periods but do not associate them with endometriosis.
“That lack of awareness is a huge issue,” Professor Avery says. “By the time some women are diagnosed – often when trying to conceive later in life – the condition may have already progressed. Earlier diagnosis can open the door to better long-term management strategies, including medical treatment, physiotherapy, and fertility planning options such as egg freezing.”
While there is currently no cure for endometriosis, early intervention can significantly improve quality of life. The condition can be debilitating, particularly for younger women, causing missed school, university, or work due to severe pain and fatigue. “There’s still a legacy of dismissing women’s pain,” Professor Avery notes. “Previous generations were often told severe period pain was normal. Now we know that’s not always the case.”
Systemic change in South Australia
In South Australia, momentum is building for systemic change to help diagnose sooner. This includes the potential development of specialised endometriosis care centres, expanded pelvic pain services, and increased funding for research and support programs. “A dedicated centre could provide imaging, medical care, physiotherapy, and psychological support all in one place,” she says. “It would also allow us to integrate research directly into patient care.”
Professor Avery’s personal motivation
Professor Avery’s vast work strives to ensure women are diagnosed earlier, validated sooner, and better supported throughout their lives. “I want to change the lives of women with endometriosis,” she says. “We need to reduce that diagnostic delay and make sure women know their symptoms are real and deserve attention.”
Her motivation stems partly from her own experience with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects at least 13 per cent of women, and from meeting many young women living with endometriosis. “I’ve seen how much it can impact their lives, especially the pain and the uncertainty around fertility. That’s something that really drives me – making sure women don’t have to go through that without answers or support.”
Through imaging and artificial intelligence, her goal is to make diagnosis faster, less invasive, and more accessible, so women can get vital answers much earlier.
