New daily pill for endometriosis approved on NHS – but only for women who’ve tried everything else

Unlike existing hormone injections, the tablet can be taken at home, giving women more control and flexibility over their treatment.

Endometriosis affects 1.5 million women in the UK and is a long-term condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere in the body, causing pain, fatigue and, for some, fertility problems.

According to NHS guidance, common symptoms include severe period pain, pain during sex, difficulty getting pregnant, and extreme tiredness.

The pill, which costs £72 for a 28-day supply, works by blocking certain hormones that fuel endometriosis, while also supplying the body with replacement hormones to manage side effects.

Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), said the approval represents “a potential step-change in how we manage endometriosis, putting control back in patients’ hands while ensuring value for the taxpayer.”

Why the new treatment matters

Currently, many women with endometriosis are prescribed hormone injections that temporarily stop oestrogen production – the hormone that causes endometrial-like tissue to grow.

While often effective, these treatments must be administered in a clinical setting, usually every three months, and require separate hormone replacement therapy (HRT) tablets to counteract side effects like bone thinning and hot flushes.

The new pill simplifies this process by combining both hormone-blocking and replacement therapies in one tablet, which can be taken daily at home. If side effects become too difficult or a woman wants to plan a pregnancy, the treatment can also be stopped more easily than injectable options.

Emma Cox, chief executive of the charity Endometriosis UK, welcomed the pill’s approval as “a step forward” but highlighted that it would only reach a small number of people. “We need to see more investment in other research and treatments,” she said.

Real-life impact: Ami’s story

For Ami Clarke, 27, from St Albans, the new pill signals progress – even if it comes too late to help her directly. Ami, who shares her experiences with endometriosis on social media as @positivami, first experienced symptoms at age 13 but wasn’t diagnosed until a decade later.

After trying multiple contraceptive pills with no relief, Ami said the pain became “completely unmanageable.”

I wasn’t going to university, I wasn’t going to work. If I was going to work, I was collapsing in pain consistently every single month.

Following two surgeries – one in 2021 and a second in 2024 – Ami is now raising funds for a third private operation after NHS options didn’t help. She welcomes any new developments in treatment, saying: “A lot of the time it feels like you’re being left in the dark.”

Who is eligible for the new tablet?

While the approval of relugolix combination therapy has been hailed as progress, NICE has stressed that the pill is only available for patients who have tried all other medical and surgical options without success. This includes hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine devices and previous surgeries.

With such limited eligibility – NICE estimates only 1,000 women a year will qualify – many are calling for broader access and more investment in new treatments.

Though a small step, this new pill brings hope to those living with the most severe forms of endometriosis. For those navigating the daily challenges of managing pain, fatigue and uncertainty, any additional option can offer much-needed relief – and a sense that they are finally being heard.

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