Endometriosis drug cheaper for first time in 30 years

"Women are suffering unnecessarily," he said. "They're having their experiences dismissed, being called hysterical and accused of drug shopping."

Endometriosis is a disease causing tissue similar to uterus lining to grow in other parts of the body.

Symptoms include period pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, fatigue, pain during sex and reduced fertility.

The newly subsidised drug Visanne (dienogest) is a daily tablet that works to shrink and suppress the growth of abnormal tissue.

Nikki Steendam, 46, is living with endometriosis and has been taking the drug since her diagnosis.

"For a while there, I was like a zombie, just doing the bare minimum to get through the day," she said.

"These days, I'm feeling a lot better. My day-to-day life has improved, the pain has gone, and I don't need pain medication."

The South Gippsland woman said having Visanne on the PBS means it will be available to everyone who needs it.

Roughly one million Australians are living with endometriosis, according to the not-for-profit charity EndoActive.

The condition causes 40,000 hospital admissions each year and it says hundreds of thousands of other women regularly reeling in pain.

Professor Jason Abbott says affordable access to treatment is "extremely important". (Brendan Esposito/AAP PHOTOS)

"There is no cure for endometriosis, and it can last for decades," said Professor Jason Abbott, an obstetrician and gynaecologist from the University of NSW.

Prof Abbott said even after surgery patients need medication to help manage symptoms.

"Affordable access to treatment options to help control symptoms is extremely important for a patient's quality of life."

Without the subsidy, Mr Butler said patients could be paying roughly $750 a year for treatment. 

The announcement is part of more than $107 million invested by the federal government in supporting Australians with endometriosis, covering research, intervention and treatment.