New Daily Endometriosis Pill Approved By NHS
A new once-daily pill called linzagolix has been approved for use on the NHS in England, offering fresh hope to over a thousand women each year living with endometriosis. The condition, which affects around 1.5 million women in the UK, can cause severe pain, heavy periods, extreme tiredness, and even infertility. Linzagolix will be prescribed to those who haven’t responded well to previous treatments, and it works by blocking the hormones behind endometriosis symptoms.
The pill will be taken with "add-back" hormone therapy, which helps reduce side effects like bone loss and menopause-like symptoms. It’s the second at-home medication of its kind to be approved, following relugolix combination therapy earlier this year. Unlike relugolix, which combines everything into a single pill, linzagolix requires the additional hormone treatment. Clinical trials have shown it significantly reduces painful periods and pelvic pain compared to a placebo.
Welcoming the approval, Women’s Health Minister Baroness Merron said, “This could be a gamechanger for thousands of women battling endometriosis, which can be a debilitating and life-limiting condition.” Endometriosis UK also applauded the move but called for more research and wider access, noting that treatment options are still limited. Emma Cox, CEO of the charity, stressed the need for broader investment, saying, “There are far too few options available due to the historic lack of research into endometriosis.”
