Women face real and enduring challenges when seeking care and support for pain.

The Australian Pain Management Association and Chronic Pain Australia will be making a submission into this inquiry. Please complete our survey to include your experience. Complete the survey here.

Chronic pain affects a higher proportion of girls and women than men around the world; however, women are less likely to receive treatment. Research has also shown that women generally experience more recurrent pain, more severe pain, and longer-lasting pain than men.

Medical gender bias routinely leads to a denial of pain and therefore, lack of pain relief and associated treatment for women. This occurs for various health conditions, including cardiovascular, neurological, reproductive, and autoimmune conditions.

As part of the Women’s Health and Wellbeing Program, the Inquiry into Women's Pain aims to address the challenges faced by girls and women seeking care for pain. The Inquiry into Women's Pain will provide recommendations to inform improved models of care and service delivery for Victorian girls and women experiencing pain in the future.