A New Option for Endometriosis Treatment – Ryeqo Now in NZ
A New Option for Endometriosis Treatment – Ryeqo Now in NZ
If you live with endometriosis, you’ll know how much it can affect every part of life — from work and study to relationships, fertility, and day-to-day wellbeing.
For the first time in nine years, there’s a new medical treatment available in New Zealand. Ryeqo® (relugolix, estradiol, norethisterone acetate) is now registered for adults of reproductive age who have tried other medical or surgical treatments for their endometriosis.
Why this is big news
Endometriosis affects about 1 in 10 women in Aotearoa — and it can also affect transgender men and non-binary people assigned female at birth.
The condition often causes:
- Severe period pain
- Ongoing pelvic pain between periods
- Pain during sex
- Bloating, nausea, fatigue
- In some cases, difficulty getting pregnant
Many people wait 8–10 years for a diagnosis. That’s a long time to live with pain, especially when it’s unpredictable and can stop you from doing the things you want or need to do.
What is Ryeqo and how does it work?
Ryeqo is a once-a-day tablet that contains:
- Relugolix – lowers oestrogen levels to reduce the pain and inflammation driven by endometriosis.
- Estradiol & norethisterone acetate – low-dose hormones to help protect bone health and reduce side-effects from low oestrogen.
This “combination therapy” approach aims to control pain while keeping hormone levels balanced.
Who can use it?
In New Zealand, Ryeqo is available on private prescription (not currently funded), so patients will need to cover the cost of the medication and consultation.
It’s suitable for adults of reproductive age who:
- Have a diagnosis of endometriosis
- Have already tried medical or surgical treatments
- Still have symptoms affecting their quality of life
What we know from the research
Ryeqo’s approval is based on large international studies involving more than 1,200 people with moderate-to-severe endometriosis pain. Results showed meaningful improvements in pain, with safety data available for up to two years of use.
Is it right for you?
Every person’s experience of endometriosis is different. This means treatment should be tailored — sometimes that’s surgery, sometimes it’s medical therapy, and often it’s a combination.
If you’ve already tried other options and are still struggling with pain, Ryeqo might be worth discussing. We’ll look at your symptoms, treatment history, and overall health to work out whether it’s a good fit for you.
If you’d like to talk about whether Ryeqo could be part of your endometriosis care plan, you can book an appointment here.