A daily pill for treating endometriosis symptoms has just been approved on the NHS in England, which could help up to 1.5 million women who struggle with condition. The first of its kind pill could have a significant impact for many women, to help reduce the pain and tiredness that comes with endometriosis.
According to Endometriosis UK, 1 in 10 women suffer from the condition, but its believed that a significant amount of people are undiagnosed. So, what is endometriosis, and what are the symptoms?
The NHS says: “Endometriosis is where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other parts of the body.” Symptoms of endometriosis occur when: “patches of endometriosis break down and bleed during your period but cannot leave your body.”
The NHS says the three main symptoms are:
- Severe period pain that stops you from doing normal activities
- Heavy periods, which they define has having to change a pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours, or if you bleed through your clothes
- Pain when you poo or pee
However, there are other symptoms, such as:
- Pain in your lower tummy and back
- Pain during or after sex
- Extreme tiredness
- Pain or bleeding in other areas, which could cause shortness of breath and coughing up blood
If you have any of these symptoms the NHS recommends booking an appointment with your GP, who will may refer you to a gynaecologist for further tests, or offer you medicine to relieve your symptoms. Prior to the introduction of this daily pill, treatment would often include medicine such as painkillers and contraceptive pills, to try and ease the pain.
If treatments stop working, patients can be offered surgery to remove areas of endometriosis, or in some cases remove the womb, ovaries, or part of your bladder or bowel. The new pill, known as relugolix combination therapy, will currently only be offered to patients who have tried all other treatment options. It was approved by drug assessment body the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, said it marked “a potential step-change in how we manage endometriosis, putting control back in patients’ hands while ensuring value for the taxpayer”.