Those living with endometriosis will have access to more affordable treatment with the drug dienogest now listed under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Sold under the brand name Visanne, dienogest is the first drug to specifically treat endometriosis to be subsidised by the Federal Government in more than 30 years.
The treatment will drop down from $800 a year to $380 a year or $90 for concession cardholders.
Echuca local Felicity Priestly, who lives with stage four endometriosis, said the recognition of endometriosis under the PBS was a beacon of hope.
“When I saw it on Facebook I thought, ‘that’s amazing that we’re actually getting something’,” she said.
“So many women go through this horrible disease and it is actually among the most painful diseases in the world.
“It’s amazing for women to have this recognition and that there is now another step forward and that maybe we’re getting closer to finding a cure or having a non pain-relief solution to the problem.”
According to Endometriosis Australia, nearly one million people are affected by the disease at some point in their life.
Endometriosis occurs when tissue that normally grows within the womb grows in other parts of the body.
As a result, when menstruation occurs, the tissue will continue to shed as if it is within the womb, causing great pain.
Before Visanne was included in the PBS, most women were put on the pill or took pain-relief medication as a cheaper option.
Dr Deborah Martin from the Echuca Moama Family Practice said Visanne would give women living with endometriosis another option.
“Visanne is a progesterone drug and so the idea is to suppress the natural cycle and to reduce the oestrogen that the body is making,” she said.
“It's the oestrogen and stuff that makes the endometriosis more inflamed and angry or develop more.
“So for women where cheaper treatments haven’t been working or have more significant side effects, this is really good news.”
Due to symptoms varying from case to case and the process of diagnosis, there is currently a six-and-a-half-year diagnosis delay.
Dr Martin said that if people were unable to live their life due to period pain, they should see a doctor.
“Look out for symptoms that are impacting your life and stopping you from being able to do things you would like to be able to do,” she said.
“If periods are stopping you from being able to do things that you want to do and you should be able to do, that should be looked at and you need to talk to someone about it.”
For more information on endometriosis, visit endometriosisaustralia.org