NHS England approves first daily pill to treat endometriosis symptoms
What's the story
The National Health Service (NHS) in England has approved a new daily medication to treat endometriosis symptoms.
The new pill, relugolix combination therapy, is now available to patients who have tried all other treatments and found they didn't help.
Endometriosis affects 1.5 million women in the UK, causing debilitating pain and fatigue as tissue similar to womb lining grows elsewhere in the body.
The new treatment pill will be priced at £72 for a 28-day supply.
Innovative solution
Relugolix combination therapy: A breakthrough in endometriosis treatment
The relugolix combination therapy pill, approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), provides a home-based alternative to existing injectable treatments.
Although Endometriosis UK notes that this pill gives patients more options, it also says that its benefits will largely be limited to a small number of women.
The new drug blocks certain hormones causing the condition while giving replacement hormones needed.
Access restrictions
Limited availability: NHS's criteria for relugolix combination therapy
NICE has said that the relugolix combination therapy pill will only be available on the NHS to those who have already tried all other medical and surgical treatments without success. This includes hormonal contraceptives and intrauterine delivery systems.
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, highlighted that this new treatment could be a "potential step-change in how we manage endometriosis."
Patient experiences
Real-life impact of endometriosis and the new treatment
Ami Clarke (27) from St. Albans, started showing endometriosis symptoms after her first period at age 13.
Despite trying six different contraceptive pills over 10 years, nothing seemed to help.
She described her periods as "absolutely, completely unmanageable," stating that they "took over my life."
Clarke's experience underscores the challenges faced by those with endometriosis, highlighting the need for new treatment options.