Method for detecting the presence of a gynaecological growth

A method of treating endometriosis in a subject in need thereof, wherein the endometriosis results from a gynaecological growth, which method comprises the steps of:

• (i) determining the day or phase of the subject's menstrual cycle;
• (ii) taking body fluid samples at two or more different times during the menstrual cycle, characterised in that a first sample is taken during the menses phase of the menstrual cycle and a second sample is taken during either the follicular or luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, wherein the body fluid sample is blood;
• (iii) measuring intact nucleosome biomarkers in said first and second samples;
• (iv) using levels of the intact nucleosomes in the two samples, and the difference in the biomarker levels between the two samples, as an indicator of the presence of the gynaecological growth;
• and
• (v) removing the gynaecological growth surgically, or administering to the subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more of androgens, GnRH agonists, progestagens, and oral contraceptives, thereby treating endometriosis.