A new treatment for endometriosis has just landed in New Zealand - but it doesn’t come cheap.

A once-a-day oral tablet called Ryeqo has been approved by Medsafe, but it will set you back around $250 a month, and that’s before any doctor or pharmacy fees.

The inflammatory disease is estimated to affect around 120,000 Kiwi women, and right now, there’s no cure, according Endometriosis NZ.

That means 1 in 10 New Zealand women self-manage symptoms, including pelvic pain, period pain, and even fertility issues.

Ryeqo contains a combination of three ingredients: Relugolix to lower oestrogen production and Estradiol, plus Norethisterone, which are “add-back” hormones that help reduce bone loss and hot flushes.

Endometriosis New Zealand’s chief executive, Tanya Cooke, told RNZ the new option is “really positive” for the thousands living with the condition.

The downside, though, is that Ryeqo is not funded. 

Dr Orna McGinn, GP and chair of NZ Women in Medicine, told Morning Report that Ryeqo could be sourced privately if a doctor applies on a patient’s behalf.

That means it’s only available through private prescription, and patients will have to cover the full cost themselves.

Pharmac also confirmed that no application to fund the drug has been received.

New Zealand-based Endometriosis support group, Endo Warriors Aotearoa, has said that the disorder “remains one of the most underfunded and misunderstood health conditions in the country”.

While they recognise the step forward in treatment accessibility, they note that it’s not as straightforward for all who are suffering.

“While the government promotes record investment in health, there is still no consistent public funding for excision surgery, pelvic physiotherapy, pain management, or mental health support,” they wrote on Instagram.

“Access depends on where you live and whether you can afford private care. It can be an option for some people who cannot tolerate other hormonal treatments, but it does not treat or remove endometriosis tissue itself. Like most hormonal options, it helps control symptoms rather than addressing the root cause.”

To every endo warrior out there fighting to be heard, diagnosed or not, we see you.

If you think it might be worth looking into, as always, speak with your GP or a medical professional for advice.