‘First-of-a-kind’ daily pill for endometriosis treatment approved for NHS in England

A new daily pill that could transform the way endometriosis is treated has been approved for use on the NHS across England, the medicines watchdog has announced.

About 1,000 women a year living with endometriosis will be able to access relugolix-estradiol-norethisterone. The “first-of-a-kind” treatment, which was initially rejected by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), works by blocking the specific hormones that contribute to endometriosis while providing necessary hormone replacement.

The medication eliminates the need for multiple medications and regular trips to clinics for injections.

Unlike current injectable treatments which can initially worsen symptoms, the pill can be taken at home, works more quickly and combines hormones in one pill.

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the womb lining grows elsewhere, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes, and can affect fertility and other pelvic organs.

Symptoms include pain during periods, bowel movements, urination and sex. It is thought to affect about one in 10 women of reproductive age.

Endometriosis care has also long been recognised as substandard, with a previous report finding that on average women are waiting nearly nine years for a diagnosis in the UK.

The treatment will be available through routine NHS commissioning for those that medical or surgical treatment for endometriosis has failed. The medication has also already been recommend by Nice for treating moderate to severe symptoms of uterine fibroids.

A spokesperson for Endometriosis UK welcomed the decision by Nice, adding: “Endometriosis UK believes that women and those assigned female at birth in the UK should be able to choose the right treatment and management options for them.

“We recommend that treatment decisions are always made in partnership with the individual and their medical practitioner. There are far too few options available due to the historic lack of research into endometriosis.”

Helen Knight, the director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said: “This new treatment marks a potential step-change in how we manage endometriosis, putting control back in patients’ hands while ensuring value for the taxpayer.

“Instead of travelling to clinics for injections, there is now a daily tablet that can be taken at home. The treatment can also be stopped and started more easily, which is particularly important for those planning to have children and for managing side effects. 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, said: “This first-of-a-kind treatment for endometriosis – a condition which can be extremely debilitating – will give women greater control of their own 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.”