More than 1,000 women a year in England could benefit from a new pill for endometriosis.
The condition occurs when tissue similar to the womb lining grows elsewhere in the body, such as the pelvis, bladder and bowel. It can cause chronic pain, heavy periods, extreme tiredness and fertility problems.
According to the World Health Organization, endometriosis affects about 190 million women and girls globally. In the UK, approximately 1.5 million are estimated to have the condition.
In final draft guidance published on Thursday, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) approved a daily tablet for adult patients of reproductive age who have had unsuccessful previous treatment for endometriosis.
Linzagolix,also known as Yselty, works by blocking the hormones that contribute to the symptoms of endometriosis. It is taken once a day alongside “add-back” low-dose hormonal therapy to help manage potential menopausal symptoms and bone loss.
In clinical trials, linzagolix was shown to reduce painful periods and non-menstrual pelvic pain, compared with a placebo drug, and is already approved for treating moderate to severe symptoms of uterine fibroids.
It is the second take-at-home pill for endometriosis to be made available on the NHS, after Nice approved relugolix combination therapy in March. It is estimated that more than 1,000 women a year will be eligible for the new treatment.
Helen Knight, the director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said she was “pleased” to recommend linzagolix and that it offered “a convenient way for people with endometriosis to manage their condition and helps to ease pressure on NHS services”.
Welcoming the announcement, the women’s health minister, Gillian Merron, said: “This could be a gamechanger for thousands of women battling endometriosis, which can be a debilitating and life-limiting condition.”
Dr Sue Mann, the national clinical director in women’s health at NHS England, said: “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.”
Emma Cox, the chief executive of Endometriosis UK, said: “Everyone with endometriosis should be able to choose the most appropriate management and treatment for them. But there are far too few options due to historic lack of research into the disease.
“We welcome the approval of linzagolix for NHS use in England, however as it results in ‘medical menopause’ it will be suitable for only some with endometriosis. And as with many hormonal medications, it is not suitable for those trying for a pregnancy. We urge more investment in research to provide those with this sometimes debilitating disease, more options to help them live their lives.”
