TRANSCRIPT:
For a long time, Lauren Jeffries has relied on a tablet called Visanne.
The medication treats a condition known as endometriosis that can sometimes be debilitating.
"When I got put on Visanne about seven or eight years ago, it's been... it's completely changed my life, so some days I even forget that I have it (endometriosis)."
Visanne works by shrinking and suppressing the growth of abnormal tissue which causes the symptoms of endometriosis - which can include period pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, fatigue, pain during sex and reduced fertility.
But it's quite costly, priced at over $750 a year.
Now, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler has listed Visanne on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which means that cost will now be subsidised.
"This is all about providing cheaper medicine and cutting-edge treatment to Australian patients generally, but in the area of endometriosis which has attracted such inadequate support for hundreds of thousands of Australian women, this listing is beyond time."
Dr Neisha Wrattan is among the first gynaecologists who have prescribed Visanne to her patients.
The doctor says it's been distressing to see women walk away from treatments, or decline endometriosis surgery to confirm the diagnosis, especially during COVID, because of the cost of treatment.
"It has been a relief and satisfaction to be able to offer to women a well-tolerated and highly efficacious treatment, that relieves their pain, returns to an excellent quality of life, and reduces the need for repeated surgeries."
She believes therefore that this PBS listing is going to help a lot of women.
"It is going to impact, I estimate, between 400 and 500 thousand Australian women in a positive manner. Not only them but also those who support and care for them."
The PBS listing is part of the federal government's collective efforts to address endometriosis.
One in every seven women have the condition - and each year there are 40,000 hospital admissions relating to it.
Consequently Labor has invested over $107 million to support women with endometriosis, including building 22 specialised clinics across Australia, and developing a management plan and living guidelines for patients.
Silvia Fredman is a co-founder of EndoActive, an organisation dedicated to increasing awareness.
Ms Fredman says it's often a battle for women to be diagnosed, citing her own experience of having symptoms at age 11 - but not being diagnosed for another decade.
"When I was diagnosed at 21, I'd never even heard of endometriosis. We need people to not just know the word, what it is, and impact on the lives of patients with endo."
Lauren Jeffries says people aren't necessarily aware that endometriosis exists - and how much impact it can have on a woman's quality of life.
She says the listing of Visanne might help spread awareness of the treatment options - and the condition itself.
"My number one goal - and what I'd love to see happen - is that I can tell someone I have endometriosis, and they know what it is. Not only do they know what it is but they know how it affects women and how many women suffer from it. And that I don't have to feel that I'm responsible for educating the public on something - that people should already know about."
