The first inquiry of its kind into women’s pain in Australia has uncovered widespread experiences of dismissal, disrespect, and inadequate treatment within the healthcare system. Conducted by the Victorian government’s Women’s Health Advisory Council and a panel of experts, the inquiry ran from January to October 2024. It highlighted significant barriers to accessing care, the effectiveness of current services, and the necessary reforms to improve pain management and healthcare outcomes for women.
With over 13,000 responses from Victorian women and girls, clinicians, researchers, and peak bodies, the inquiry’s findings paint a troubling picture. “The results can make for difficult reading,” Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas stated on Sunday during the report’s release. She emphasized that common conditions affecting women include period pain, endometriosis, and arthritis, which not only cause physical discomfort but also lead to poor mental health, fatigue, poor sleep, and low self-esteem.
Systemic Barriers and Historical Neglect
The report found that 90 percent of respondents experienced pain lasting over a year, with half enduring it daily and a third constantly. Women with disabilities and those from the LGBTIQA+ community reported higher rates of prolonged pain. A quarter of respondents rated their pain as a 10 out of 10 in intensity, with menstrual and hormonal conditions affecting 40 percent of them.
The healthcare system, the report notes, is predominantly structured around “Caucasian male biology,” making it challenging for women and girls to access appropriate care and support. Historically low investment in women’s health research has left many without effective pain relief or treatment, exacerbating their symptoms and forcing them to spend substantial amounts on therapies, some of which may not be effective.
“Many medical models and clinical guidelines overlook sex and gender differences, leading to gaps in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect women, girls, and gender diverse people,” the report stated.
Impact on Quality of Life
Beyond physical health, the inquiry highlighted that pain significantly impacts mental health, economic participation, and overall quality of life. More than half of the respondents reported that their pain affected their recreation, hobbies, and intimate relationships, while 44 percent noted its impact on work, studies, or volunteering. An overwhelming majority of women with disabilities—89 percent—said their pain also affected their mental wellbeing, sleep, and led to feelings of shame, guilt, and helplessness, with some even experiencing thoughts of self-harm.
Women in regional and rural Victoria often face long journeys to access healthcare, while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experience systemic discrimination. The report emphasizes the need for women to be heard without bias or judgment, treated with empathy and respect, and empowered to make informed decisions about their health.
Recommendations for Reform
The report has made 27 recommendations across seven key areas, including increased focus and funding for women’s health research, the development of a women’s pain action plan, improved education and training for health providers, and a culture change to reduce gender bias and stigma. Other recommendations include clearer referral pathways, cross-sector information sharing, attracting and retaining clinicians in regional areas, and advocating for federal government support to make healthcare more affordable and accessible.
“Women and girls told the Victorian government how to put an end to their unnecessary suffering and eradicate the barriers they face when seeking help,” the report concluded. “Your voices are now being heard. We hope that, in time, we can improve pain care and the overall health and wellbeing of all Victorian women and girls.”
Government Response and Future Steps
The release of the inquiry’s final report was delayed by more than half a year, initially expected early in the year, then pushed to mid-2025, and finally published on Sunday. Health Minister Thomas acknowledged the unexpected breadth of the challenges faced by Victoria and announced plans to develop a new clinical pain standard to ensure more effective treatment for women.
“What our health professionals have told us is that their greatest barrier to delivering the care that they know women and girls need is their own limited knowledge and understanding of options to treat the pain,” she said. “We need to work with our healthcare workforce, universities, and medical colleges to address this issue. It’s a big system issue, so it’s going to take some time to change.”
Additionally, the establishment of a women’s pain clinic at the Royal Children’s Hospital was announced. “Women have been brought up to believe that experiencing pain is normal for them, and this is not the case, so we need to bust some of these myths,” Thomas added.
Premier Jacinta Allan, present at the report release, announced that Penthrox, commonly known as the green whistle, would be offered at 20 sexual and reproductive health hubs in Victoria for women receiving IUDs. Frankston Hospital in Melbourne’s south began trialing this pain relief method for the procedure in 2023.
“What the green whistle does is give women control over managing their pain but also over their body and their reproductive choices,” Allan said, sharing her own past struggles with endometriosis and fertility issues.
The report is expected to be a catalyst for systemic change, addressing the longstanding neglect of women’s pain and improving healthcare outcomes for Victorian women and girls.
