The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has approved a new daily pill for treating endometriosis, which will be available on the NHS in England. This first-of-a-kind medication, relugolix-estradiol-norethisterone, works by blocking specific hormones that contribute to endometriosis while providing hormone replacement.
Around 1,000 women living with endometriosis in England each year will have access to this treatment, which initially was not recommended by Nice. This pill replaces the need for multiple medications and regular clinic visits for injections, and it can be taken at home. It also works more quickly and combines hormones in a single pill.
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the womb lining grows in other places like the ovaries and fallopian tubes, affecting fertility and other pelvic organs. The condition can cause pain during menstruation, bowel movements, urination, and sexual intercourse and is estimated to affect around one in ten women of reproductive age.
Care for endometriosis has often been inadequate, with women usually waiting nearly nine years in the UK to get a diagnosis. The pill will be available for those whose medical or surgical treatment for endometriosis has failed, and it has also been recommended by Nice for treating severe symptoms of uterine fibroids.
Endometriosis UK has welcomed the decision, suggesting that women and others assigned female at birth should have a say in their treatment and management options. They recommend making treatment choices in partnership with medical professionals but note the lack of research into endometriosis as a problem.
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Helen Knight, the director of medicines evaluation at Nice, highlighted the potential impact of this treatment, emphasizing that it gives patients more control and provides value for the taxpayer. The daily pill can be taken at home, stopped, and started more easily, aiding those planning to become pregnant or managing side effects, and easing pressure on NHS services.
Dr. Sue Mann, the NHS’s national clinical director for women’s health, stated that this treatment will significantly benefit women by offering them a chance to get the required treatment at home without frequent appointments. It’s noted as a significant step for women’s health care and the management of a condition that can be very debilitating.
