Daily pill for endometriosis treatment approved in the UK

A new daily pill designed to treat endometriosis has been approved for use across England’s National Health Service (NHS). This revolutionary medication, relugolix-estradiol-norethisterone, offers a game-changing approach to managing the condition, providing women with a more convenient and effective alternative to traditional treatments.

Endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the womb, can cause significant pain and fertility issues. It affects approximately one in ten women of reproductive age and is often difficult to diagnose, with women waiting an average of nine years for a diagnosis in the UK. Symptoms can include severe menstrual pain, discomfort during bowel movements, urination, and sex.

This new treatment eliminates the need for multiple medications and regular trips to clinics for injections. Unlike current injectable treatments, which can sometimes worsen symptoms initially, this daily pill can be taken at home, works faster, and combines multiple hormones into a single dosage.

Initially rejected by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the treatment has now been approved for NHS use, starting with around 1,000 women annually. The decision has been welcomed by organizations like Endometriosis UK, which emphasized the importance of empowering women with more treatment options. “Women and those assigned female at birth should be able to choose the right treatment options for them,” the organization stated, pointing to the historical lack of research into endometriosis.

The new pill will be available to those who have not had success with medical or surgical treatments. It has already been recommended by NICE for treating moderate to severe symptoms of uterine fibroids.

Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, called the approval a potential "step-change" in endometriosis care. "Instead of travelling to clinics for injections, there is now a daily tablet that can be taken at home,” she said. “This convenience not only benefits patients but reduces pressure on NHS services."

Dr. Sue Mann, the NHS’s national clinical director for women’s health, noted that this new treatment could significantly improve the lives of women living with the condition. “This first-of-a-kind treatment for endometriosis will give women greater control of their health by potentially allowing them to get the treatment they need in the comfort of their own homes, without the need to attend regular appointments.”