Improving care for women and girls: what the 2025 Women’s Pain Report reveals

Women across Australia have long spoken about not being believed when they report pain. Their experiences of being dismissed, ignored or left without answers are not new, but the Victorian Government Department of Health’s Inquiry into Women’s Pain has now formally recognised the scale of the problem.

Driven by over 13,000 responses from Victorian women and girls aged between 12 and 79, as well as carers, clinicians, researchers and peak bodies, the Inquiry confirms what many already know: women’s pain is too often misunderstood, minimised, or attributed to “normal” female biology. This systemic dismissal has led to delayed diagnoses, worsening medical outcomes, and a deep erosion of trust between women and the healthcare system. 

What the inquiry found: the gender pain gap confirmed

The Bridging the Pain Gap report highlights the widespread impact of pain on women’s lives:  

• 71% of respondents experienced widespread dismissal by healthcare professionals, contributing to distrust and unmet healthcare needs
• more than 90% of respondents reported experiencing pain lasting longer than a year
• 54% described living with pain every day
• 89% of respondents reported impacts on their mental health
• 44% of respondents reported that pain affected their work, studies or volunteering.

These results reflect the sad reality experienced by many women in Victoria.

Systemic issues identified

The Inquiry highlighted that gaps in research and representation contribute to inconsistent treatment of women’s pain. Historically:

• medical research centred around men as the default patient and women as secondary
• women were excluded from clinical trials for many years
• symptoms were often dismissed as “hysterical” or exaggerated

The report also identified gender bias in pain perception and community barriers to accessing treatment. Cultural norms, language barriers, stereotypes about women’s biology, and limited physical access to healthcare all act as barriers to receiving appropriate care, treatment and advice for their pain.

What the Victorian Government is doing

The Inquiry has made 27 recommendations regarding research, policies, training, public awareness, models of care, building the workforce and affordable and accessible healthcare.

Some recommendations include:

• rolling out ‘green whistle’ pain management inhalers across all sexual and reproductive health hubs in Victoria
• establishing a children and adolescent clinic within the Royal Children’s Hospital
• more funding for women’s health research
• improved training and professional development in healthcare
• the development of a Women’s Pain Action Plan to set out the clear goals and the Victorian Government’s response to the inquiry findings

As the Inquiry states, much work needs to be done to take girls' and women’s pain seriously, including listening to their experiences, and improving access to healthcare.

Jane’s story

In 2022, Jane underwent a gynaecological procedure. During her hospital stay, she experienced severe abdominal pain and was given strong pain medications. Despite repeated complaints, her pain was not properly investigated.

She was discharged a week later while still experiencing extreme pain, fever and a rash at the site of her procedure.

In the following days, she returned multiple times, receiving pain relief but no examination of her wound. Finally, when she attended the Emergency Department, doctors discovered a suspected infection in her wound. The hospital admitted her and investigated the cause of her pain.

It was found that Jane had an infection in her blood (sepsis) and flesh-eating bacteria in her wound (necrotising fasciitis). Jane was rushed to surgery to treat her infected wound. She underwent multiple surgeries and then daily wound treatment, meaning she was unable to care for her young children at home.

Sadly, Jane is not the only woman to have her concerns repeatedly overlooked or ignored.

Jane’s experience reflects the systemic dismissal of women’s pain highlighted in the Inquiry.

Why dismissal of pain can amount to medical negligence

Women who are repeatedly turned away, minimised, or inadequately treated may be put at risk of:

• Delayed diagnosis
• Permanent injury
• Preventable complications
• Reduced chance of effective treatment
• Significant impacts on daily life, work, and family

Medical professionals owe patients a duty of care, which may require them to take symptoms seriously, investigate appropriately, and ensure patients receive timely and safe care. When they fail to do so, this may amount to medical negligence. 

How we can help

If you or your loved one has experienced inappropriate pain treatment and suffered a poor outcome because of this, you may be entitled to seek compensation for negligent treatment and ongoing medical support.

We have represented many women who have been unfairly denied treatment or had their pain disregarded. Failing to acknowledge or investigate a patient’s symptoms can have a catastrophic impact, so we strongly advocate for equal rights to access appropriate health care across Australia. 

Our team of expert medical negligence lawyers are here to help you understand your legal options and to achieve the best possible outcome for you. Contact our team today.