The inquiry found that chronic pain disproportionately affects women. Photo: Victorian Budget 25-26.
The Victorian Government has released its Bridging the Gender Pain Gap report, a result of its landmark Inquiry into Women’s Pain. The study sought input from thousands of Victorian women to improve women’s health across the state.
About 13,000 women and girls aged from 12 to 79, as well as their carers and clinicians, participated in the report, which revealed health gaps, medical bias, sexism and misogyny as well as experiences of dismissal of women’s concerns by clinicians.
”I want to thank the 13,000 Victorian women who’ve made this possible — it’s because of you that we’ll be able to create generational change to our health system,” Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said.
The inquiry found that chronic pain disproportionately affects women, impacting their daily lives, employment, wellbeing and relationships.
In response, the State Government is rolling out what it has dubbed “green whistle” pain relief, setting a new standard for women’s care and supporting young women and girls with a special clinic at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
The inquiry found that:
- 90 per cent of respondents experienced pain lasting more than a year, with 54 per cent experiencing it daily;
- 89 per cent said pain impacted their mental wellbeing;
- The most common conditions leading to pain were menstrual and hormonal (40 per cent), endometriosis (26 per cent) and musculoskeletal (26 per cent).
Research into barriers to care found that:
- 95 per cent sought assistance for their pain;
- 68 per cent said that the cost of care is an obstacle;
- 71 per cent cited dismissal by healthcare professionals;
- Key areas of healthcare discrimination include race, gender, disability and weight.
Five key areas of concern have been identified thanks to the data collected: gaps in research, gender bias, unmet health needs, barriers across communities and a need for general change across the sector.
The report provided 27 recommendations to improve women’s health in the state, with the government saying the research marks a turning point in the gender health gap.
One of the measures is the Women’s Pain Standard, a new standard of pain created in consultation with clinicians, women and experts, which will apply across hospitals and clinics.
The new standard intends to demonstrate that previous benchmarks may not necessarily apply to women and it will support the delivery of pain counselling and relief, starting with common gynaecological procedures such as IUD insertion.
In addition, the inquiry found that adolescents and girls are experiencing pelvic pain, often facing barriers and delays in diagnosis and treatment, which can lead to the issue being exacerbated.
To help solve this, the government is establishing a children and adolescent clinic in the Royal Children’s Hospital as part of a network of 20 Women’s Health Clinics.
The RCH clinic will focus on sexual and reproductive health and pain conditions such as endometriosis in women and girls up to the age of 18. It is slated to open next year.
“It’s time we stop hearing that our pain doesn’t exist,” Premier Jacinta Allan said.
“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.”
A Women’s Pain Action Plan, one of the inquiry’s main recommendations, will set clear goals to respond to the findings and recognise, understand and treat women’s pain.
This is in line with the government’s $153 million women’s health package, which includes 20 sexual and reproductive health hubs now open, 20 new women’s health clinics underway, virtual and mobile women’s clinics and a dedicated Aboriginal women’s health clinic.
The report can be found on the government’s website.
