Government reveals response to women’s pain inquiry

THE Victorian government has announced its response to the Inquiry into Women’s Pain, which will include “green whistle” pain relief, setting a statewide standard for women’s pain care, and supporting adolescents and girls with a special clinic in the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).

Shaped by the experiences of 13,000 women and girls aged between 12 and 79, as well as their carers, clinicians, and peak bodies, the final report revealed gender health gaps, experiences of medical bias, sexism and misogyny and feelings of being ignored or dismissed by clinicians.

The process also reaffirmed chronic pain disproportionately affects women, affects their daily lives, relationships, employment, and overall wellbeing.

Experiences of pain and its impact included:

• 90 per cent experienced pain lasting more than a year, and 54 per cent experience daily pain
• 89 per cent said pain affected their mental health, and
• The most common conditions were menstrual and hormonal (40 per cent), endometriosis (26 per cent), and musculoskeletal problems (26 per cent).

Barriers to care included:

• 95 per cent sought assistance for pain
• 71 per cent cited widespread dismissal by healthcare professionals
• 68 per cent said the cost of seeking care is an obstacle, and
• Key areas of healthcare discrimination include gender identity, race, disability and weight.

The report lays out five key areas of concerns: unmet healthcare needs, gaps in research and presentation, gender bias in healthcare, barriers across communities, and the need for change.

As part of its response, the Victorian government will pilot the use of the green whistle for IUD insertion.

The inhaler-style device for pain relief will provide women a level of control over their pain at the exact time they need it during IUD insertion or removal.

The Sexual and Reproductive Hub at Peninsula Health have already introduced the use of the green whistle for pain relief, and the practice will now be rolled out at all 20 Sexual and Reproductive Health Hubs in Victoria, to increase uptake of IUDs and give women pain relief for this procedure.

The new Women’s Pain Standard across Victoria’s health system will empower women to know the standard they should expect when seeking care.

The inquiry found too many adolescents and girls across Victoria were experiencing pelvic pain and often faced barriers and delays in diagnosis and treatment, which can become chronic or complex if left unaddressed.

To address this, the Victorian government will deliver targeted support for young Victorians, establishing a children and adolescent clinic within the RCH, as part of the network of 20 Women’s Health Clinics.

One of the key recommendations was a Women’s Pain Action Plan, to set clear goals and respond to the findings of the Inquiry. The Victorian government will develop this over the next six months in consultation with women.

“It’s time we stop hearing that our pain doesn’t exist,” Premier Jacinta Allan said on Sunday.

“These tangible steps will improve the lives of women and girls everywhere.

“The RCH clinic is going to be life changing – because when young girls face delays in diagnosis and treatment, it can affect them permanently.”

To read the Bridging the Gender Pain Gap report, head to health.vic.gov.au/inquiry-into-womens-pain