Endometriosis medication given the go ahead for NHS use

A new endometriosis medication has been approved for use on the NHS  and will be available to patients across England in the upcoming months.

The pill which has was authorised this May under the name linzagolix is to be taken once and day and is predicted to help over 1000 women a year treat the reproductive disorder at home.

The drug will be available for patients who have previously undergone endometriosis treatments that were unsuccessful in improving their symptoms.

Linzagolix which is intended to reduce period and pelvic pain will be prescribed alongside a low-dose hormone replacement therapy. This treatment will supplement the production of oestrogen and progesterone helping to even out the hormonal  imbalances that are associated with endometriosis and promote cardiac and cognitive health.

The news of this pill is a welcome triumph for advancements in female medicine with Women’s Health Minister Baroness Merron stating: “ This could be a game-changer for thousands of women battling endometriosis, which can be a debilitating and life-limiting condition.

“After years of neglect in women’s health, we are turning the tide – backing new treatments like linzagolix, cutting diagnosis times and slashing waiting lists.”

This new medication is the second at-home treatment to be given the green light on the NHS for endometriosis after relugolix combination therapy was approved back in March this year.

National Clinical Director in Women’s Health for NHS England, Dr Sue Mann commented in response to this medical advancement: “This is welcome news for women with endometriosis who haven’t found relief from previous therapies or surgery. It’s another treatment option which will help women take control of their health and better manage the symptoms of this often painful and debilitating condition.

“This is a testament to our ongoing commitment to improving treatment, care and quality of life for women – and follows the approval just months ago of the first long-term daily pill for managing endometriosis on the NHS, giving women more choice in treatment they can take in the comfort of their own homes.”

Endometriosis affects around 1.5 million women in the UK with symptoms like heavy menstrual bleeding, pain during sex and infertility, all of which will hopefully be relieved by the roll out of linzagolix.

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