A New Drug for Endometriosis

To make informed decisions about our health, we have to break taboos against publicly discussing our basic bodily functions - and most perplexing symptoms. Ladyparts takes a wide view, attempting to bridge the divide between mainstream medicine and holistic healthcare, and consider all of our options.

The reproductive disorder endometriosis affects one in ten women. It can cause debilitating periods, pelvic pain and infertility. Endometriosis is most often treated with birth control pills or surgery. But this summer, the FDA approved the first ever medication formulated specifically to treat this disease. Elagolix, or Orilissa, suppresses the estrogen that fuels endometriosis, without putting the body into a full-blown menopausal state, as older drugs did. Yet expert disagree on its efficacy. And with a price tag of $1000 a month, is Orilissa worth it?

Guests:

Caitlin McDonough, endometriosis patient and advocate

Hugh Taylor, MD, reproductive endocrinologist, chief of OBGYN at Yale- New Haven Hospital and endometriosis researcher

David Redwine, MD, founder of the Oregon Institute of Endometriosis at St. Charles Medical Center, Bend, Oregon and expert in endometriosis surgery

Resources:

Report from phase III elagolix trials, New England Journal of Medicine

ICER report on clinical and economic effectiveness of elagolix, full text

ICER report, at-a-glance version

Endowhat documentary

Endometriosis patient information and advocacy:

endopaedia.info (Dr. Redwine’s website)

Endowhat.org

Bad-periods.com

[Endometropolis Facebook group] (this is a private patient group, you must request access)

Credits:

Ladyparts is hosted and produced by Andrea Muraskin, with editing help this week from Jenn Stanley. Special thanks to Casey Berna and Lucy Gellman. The Ladyparts logo is by Jamie Squire. Our theme song is by Adam Ragusea. Other music in this episode was provided by Blue Dot Sessions.

Get in touch/share:

Website: ladypartspod.com

Twitter: @Andrea_Muraskin

IG: @andreamuraskin

Email: [email protected]

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