The world’s first pill for endometriosis has been approved for NHS use, providing hope for people in the UK suffering from the painful condition.
Endometriosis is notoriously understudied and misdiagnosed, so the new treatment is a milestone for the 1.5 million people in the UK affected by it.
However, not everyone with endometriosis will be able to take it. Here’s all you need to know about the new pill and why it’s taken so long to be developed.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a medical condition in which cells similar to those in the lining of the uterus grow outside of it, in areas such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and pelvis lining.
Symptoms of endometriosis include extreme period pain, heavy period pains, pain when you poo or pee, and pain in your lower tummy and back.
There is currently no cure, but symptoms can be mitigated with medication or surgery.
How does the pill work?
The newly approved tablet, known as relugolix combination therapy, works by blocking specific hormones that contribute to endometriosis while providing sufficient hormone replacement.
According to the charity Endometriosis UK, there are a number of benefits of the new pill. Unlike current injectable treatments, it can be taken at home, which makes things easier for the patient.
It also manages symptoms faster without an initial flare-up, and side effects can be mitigated more easily because the pill is taken daily and can be stopped at any time if needed.
However, Hannah Alderson, nutritionist and author of Everything I Know About Hormones warned that while the new medication indicates that “the condition is finally being taken more seriously”, the pill “does not address the root cause of endometriosis”.
She told The Standard that the pill doesn’t treat inflammation but “masks symptoms without tackling the underlying drivers of the condition”.
How much does the pill cost?
The new endometriosis pill costs £72 for a 28-day supply.
Who will be eligible to take it?
The first-of-its-kind treatment is only available to endometriosis patients who have tried all other medical and surgical treatments and found they did not help.
This includes treatments like hormonal contraceptives and intrauterine delivery systems.
Why did the pill take so long to be developed?
As many as 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth (AFAB) suffer from endometriosis, yet it takes an average of eight years and ten months for it to be diagnosed and treatment options are limited.
“Endometriosis is one of the most under-diagnosed gynaecological conditions, largely because its symptoms often mimic normal period pain, IBS or other pelvic disorders”, Dr. Amit Shah, Consultant Gynaecologist and cofounder of Harley St clinic Fertility Plus told The Standard.
“The current gold standard for diagnosis is laparoscopic surgery, meaning many women go undiagnosed for years because they cannot access or are not referred for this procedure”, she said.
Another factor is the long-term lack of research into endometriosis (and issues impacting women and AFAB people at large).
@glowwgirliess It took me going to the doctors 5 times to get diagnosed!!? #mollymae #endometriosis #endometriosisawareness #women #awareness #health #symptoms #endometriosischeck #statistics #advice #relatable #motivation #uplifing #diagnosis #misdiagnosed #mollymaeendometriosis
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Women and girls experiencing painful symptoms related to their reproductive health are frequently “dismissed” by medical professionals, according to a recent report.
“Many women are told their pain is ‘just part of having a period’ and are dismissed before reaching a specialist”, said Dr. Shah.
