University of Leicester students develop app to support earlier endometriosis diagnosis
The app, Ember, could help reduce the average wait time for endometriosis diagnosis
Two University of Leicester students have developed an app called Ember, which could help reduce the time it takes to diagnose endometriosis.
Akanksha Sharma, a medical student, and Umaima Eftikhar Bondre, a Masters student in AI for Business Intelligence, created the app as part of the Med Tech Innovation Programme.
Ember allows patients to document their symptoms over time, identify potential patterns, and communicate their experiences more effectively during consultations.
Addressing Diagnosis Delays
Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing pain, fatigue, and fertility issues.
Despite affecting an estimated 190 million people, diagnosis can take years.
According to a March 2026 report from Endometriosis UK, the average wait from first seeing a GP about symptoms to diagnosis can be over nine years.
The founders of Ember hope their app will accelerate this process.
Features and Development
Ember's features include the ability to share information directly with clinicians and an AI function that retrieves relevant information from official NHS sources.
The project is supported by the Growth Academy at the University of Leicester, which is aiding the founders in exploring the next steps for Ember's development.
Current priorities include gathering patient feedback, obtaining clinical input, and exploring research collaborations.