Scientists Launch Trial for First Non-Hormonal, Non-Surgical Endometriosis Treatment

Scientists are launching a clinical trial to test what could be the first non-hormonal and non-surgical treatment for endometriosis — and the first new treatment for the condition in 40 years. Endometriosis, a disorder causing chronic pelvic pain, affects 1 in 10 women worldwide, and has no cure. “Too many women and girls are suffering from debilitating symptoms, such as chronic pelvic pain, fatigue, and even fertility problems, and current hormonal and surgical treatments aren’t suitable for everyone,” Janet Lindsay, the CEO of a health charity that is helping fund the research, said in a statement, noting that endometriosis has historically been “underfunded.” Researchers from three U.K. universities (Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Birmingham) will enroll around 100 women in the trial this fall, half of whom will receive the drug dichloroacetate and half a placebo. “Our research so far shows promising results that dichloroacetate can make a huge difference,” said lead scientist Lucy Whitaker. “I hope our new trial will confirm this and give women hope that new treatments and a better quality of life are on the horizon.”

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