'It never stops': New drug to treat endometriosis after decade of pain

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It has been 13 years since the last medicine was approved in Australia for endometriosis, a chronic disease that leaves up to one in seven women like Philippa Borland in relentless pain.

“Often a grinding pain, sort of if you think of having a mortar and pestle grinding, that’s across your whole abdominal area,” Borland said.

“It just never stops. They don’t know what causes it, there’s no cure. Surgery’s the only way of dealing with it.”

Endometriosis causes tissue similar to the uterine lining to grow outside of the uterus, leading to inflammation and internal scarring.

Endometriosis causes tissue similar to the uterine lining to grow outside of the uterus, leading to inflammation and internal scarring.

Borland has undergone 14 surgeries to remove the tissue growth caused by the disease.

Now, a new treatment is providing relief for endometriosis patients.

The new drug called Ryeqo is taken orally and uses three ingredients relugolix, estradiol, and norethisterone acetate, which suppress primary oestrogen production, maintain bone health and protect the uterus lining.

“Medical management usually involves reducing the oestrogen circulation so the endometriosis is not stimulated to grow,” gynaecologist and pain specialist Professor Thierry Vancaillie said.

“So far we’ve only had injections or nasal sprays and this is the first oral form.”

The new tablet will set patients back by $135 for a month’s supply.

A submission has been made to Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee to subsidise the drug.

The new tablet will set patients back $135 for a month’s supply. It will be prescribed to patients who have already tried medical and surgical interventions.

A submission has been made to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee to subsidise the drug.

“We know that 70 per cent of all endo sufferers take time off work unpaid,” Endometriosis Australia CEO Maree Davenport said.

“It needs to be at a price point where it’s affordable and that’s where we have the equity in the medical system.”

The average endometriosis patient waits more than six years for a diagnosis.

There is no known cure or cause.