LOCAL women are being urged to share their experience with the State Government’s landmark Inquiry Into Women’s Pain, the survey closes at the end of this month on Wednesday, July 31.

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 pain care.

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.

Women’s Health Goulburn North East (WHGNE) regional coordinator of policy, advocacy and communications Katherine Keirs said WHGNE believes that women are experts in their own experience and without hearing women’s stories and perspectives, nothing will change.

"When the State Government announced the Inquiry into Women’s Pain, it came off the back of the Listening to Women’s Voices report which highlighted a collective feeling among women that their pain is dismissed, ignored and minimised," she said.

"The women that we spoke to during our own consultations recounted similar experiences.

"We would encourage anyone to complete the survey if they have had experiences with chronic pain and the healthcare system because the more voices that are heard, the more evidence there will be to inform solutions.

"We would also highly encourage healthcare practitioners to fill out the survey directed to the sector.

"Systemic change takes a coordinated effort, and we can’t overlook the importance of embedding gender equality across the many settings in which women’s pain is experienced."

From debilitating period pain, to endometriosis, to managing the symptoms of menopause, it can be difficult for women to get the diagnosis and support they need.

Ms Keirs said many primary care practitioners have not taken any specific training in women’s or sexual and reproductive health before starting to practice but are expected to provide advice to their communities and patients anyway.

"In the rural and regional context, we know that women experience limited choices with regard to their healthcare provider, reduced access to specialist care, long wait times and increased costs when accessing healthcare, which can result in delayed diagnosis and treatment, and potentially poorer health outcomes," she said.

"Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) can be heavily stigmatised across communities, with many women socialised to feel shame or embarrassment talking openly about pelvic pain or other symptoms associated with the reproductive cycle.

"Many women (and men) have been taught that symptoms associated with menstruation are a normal and universal experience to be endured quietly, including chronic and acute pelvic pain and sometimes debilitating symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause.

"These attitudes can unfortunately be reinforced in healthcare settings, with women’s pain routinely minimised by health professionals without specific expertise in SRH.

"While the implementation of the SRH hubs and planned women’s clinics across the state go some way to addressing the need for SRH expertise to support and treat these conditions, a majority of women will likely see a primary care practitioner as a first port of call when experiencing health symptoms, highlighting the need for workforce capacity building and support for health providers to in turn, support patients."

WHGNE practices health promotion through a gender lens, taking a holistic view understanding that for women to enjoy optimal health and wellbeing they must be safe, supported and enjoy equitable access to economic, cultural and social opportunities.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the inquiry is a chance to make sure your voice is heard and achieve better care fir women across the state.

“By sharing your ideas and experiences, you can help us close the gender pain gap.”

Women, girls, their carers and healthcare workers can take part by making a submission or completing a survey at https://engage.vic.gov.au/inquiry-into-womens-pain-survey.

For more information or to contact WHGNE visit https://www.whealth.com.au/.