The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

A new government inquiry will examine women’s pain and treatment. How and why is it different?

  • Written by Jane Chalmers, Senior Lecturer in Pain Sciences, University of South Australia
A new government inquiry will examine women’s pain and treatment. How and why is it different?

The Victorian government has announced an inquiry[1] into women’s pain. Given women are disproportionately affected by pain, such a thorough investigation is long overdue.

The inquiry, the first of its kind in Australia and the first we’re aware of internationally, is expected to take a year. It aims to improve care and services for Victorian girls and women experiencing pain in the future.

Read more: There is overwhelming gender bias in the NDIS – and the review doesn't address it[2]

The gender pain gap

Globally, more women report chronic pain than men do. A survey of over 1,750 Victorian women found 40% are living with chronic pain[3].

Approximately half of chronic pain conditions[4] have a higher prevalence in women compared to men, including low back pain[5] and osteoarthritis[6]. And female-specific pain conditions, such as endometriosis, are much more common than male-specific pain conditions such as chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome[7].

These statistics are seen across the lifespan[8], with higher rates of chronic pain being reported in females as young as two years old[9]. This discrepancy increases with age[10], with 28% of Australian women aged over 85 experiencing chronic pain compared to 18% of men.

Read more: People with endometriosis and PCOS wait years for a diagnosis – attitudes to women’s pain may be to blame[11]

It feels worse

Women also experience pain differently to men. There is some evidence to suggest that when diagnosed with the same condition, women are more likely to report higher pain scores than men[12].

Similarly, there is some evidence to suggest women are also more likely to report higher pain scores during experimental trials where the same painful pressure stimulus is applied to both women and men[13].

Pain is also more burdensome for women. Depression is twice as prevalent in women with chronic pain than men with chronic pain[14]. Women are also more likely to report more health care use[15] and be hospitalised due to their pain[16] than men.

woman lies in bed in pain
Women seem to feel pain more acutely and often feel ignored by doctors. Shutterstock[17]

Read more: What's a TENS machine? Can it help my period pain or endometriosis?[18]

Medical misogyny

Women in pain are viewed and treated differently to men. Women are more likely to be told their pain is psychological and dismissed as not being real or “all in their head”[19].

Hollywood actor Selma Blair[20] recently shared her experience of having her symptoms repeatedly dismissed by doctors and put down to “menstrual issues”, before being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018.

It’s an experience familiar to many women in Australia, where medical misogyny still runs deep. Our research[21] has repeatedly shown Australian women with pelvic pain are similarly dismissed, leading to lengthy diagnostic delays and serious impacts on their quality of life.

Misogyny exists in research too

Historically, misogyny has also run deep in medical research, including pain research. Women have been viewed as smaller bodied men with different reproductive functions[22]. As a result, most pre-clinical pain research has used male rodents as the default research subject[23]. Some researchers say the menstrual cycle in female rodents adds additional variability and therefore uncertainty to experiments. And while variability due to the menstrual cycle may be true, it may be no greater than male-specific sources of variability (such as within-cage aggression and dominance) that can also influence research findings[24].

The exclusion of female subjects in pre-clinical studies has hindered our understanding of sex differences in pain and of response to treatment. Only recently have we begun to understand various genetic, neurochemical, and neuroimmune factors contribute to sex differences in pain prevalence and sensitivity[25]. And sex differences exist in pain processing itself. For instance, in the spinal cord, male and female rodents process potentially painful stimuli[26] through entirely different immune cells[27].

These differences have relevance for how pain should be treated in women, yet many of the existing pharmacological treatments for pain, including opioids, are largely or solely based upon research completed on male rodents.

When women seek care, their pain is also treated differently. Studies show women receive less pain medication after surgery compared to men[28]. In fact, one study found while men were prescribed opioids after joint surgery, women were more likely to be prescribed antidepressants[29]. In another study, women were more likely to receive sedatives for pain relief following surgery, while men were more likely to receive pain medication[30].

So, women are disproportionately affected by pain in terms of how common it is and sensitivity, but also in how their pain is viewed, treated, and even researched. Women continue to be excluded, dismissed, and receive sub-optimal care, and the recently announced inquiry aims to improve this.

What will the inquiry involve?

Consumers, health-care professionals and health-care organisations will be invited to share their experiences of treatment services for women’s pain in Victoria as part of the year-long inquiry. These experiences will be used to describe the current service delivery system available to Victorian women with pain, and to plan more appropriate services to be delivered in the future.

Inquiry submissions[31] are now open until March 12 2024. If you are a Victorian woman living with pain, or provide care to Victorian women with pain, we encourage you to submit.

The state has an excellent track record of improving women’s health in many areas, including heart[32], sexual, and reproductive health[33], but clearly, we have a way to go with women’s pain. We wait with bated breath to see the results of this much-needed investigation, and encourage other states and territories to take note of the findings.

References

  1. ^ inquiry (www.health.vic.gov.au)
  2. ^ There is overwhelming gender bias in the NDIS – and the review doesn't address it (theconversation.com)
  3. ^ pain (www.premier.vic.gov.au)
  4. ^ half of chronic pain conditions (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  5. ^ low back pain (academic.oup.com)
  6. ^ osteoarthritis (www.mdpi.com)
  7. ^ chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  8. ^ across the lifespan (www.abs.gov.au)
  9. ^ as young as two years old (www.sciencedirect.com)
  10. ^ increases with age (www.aihw.gov.au)
  11. ^ People with endometriosis and PCOS wait years for a diagnosis – attitudes to women’s pain may be to blame (theconversation.com)
  12. ^ higher pain scores than men (www.sciencedirect.com)
  13. ^ both women and men (www.sciencedirect.com)
  14. ^ than men with chronic pain (www.sciencedirect.com)
  15. ^ more health care use (journals.lww.com)
  16. ^ hospitalised due to their pain (www.aihw.gov.au)
  17. ^ Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  18. ^ What's a TENS machine? Can it help my period pain or endometriosis? (theconversation.com)
  19. ^ not being real or “all in their head” (www.tandfonline.com)
  20. ^ Selma Blair (www.independent.co.uk)
  21. ^ Our research (journals.sagepub.com)
  22. ^ functions (www.sciencedirect.com)
  23. ^ subject (journals.lww.com)
  24. ^ influence research findings (www.nature.com)
  25. ^ pain prevalence and sensitivity (www.annualreviews.org)
  26. ^ potentially painful stimuli (theconversation.com)
  27. ^ entirely different immune cells (www.nature.com)
  28. ^ less pain medication after surgery compared to men (link.springer.com)
  29. ^ more likely to be prescribed antidepressants (link.springer.com)
  30. ^ more likely to receive pain medication (link.springer.com)
  31. ^ submissions (www.health.vic.gov.au)
  32. ^ heart (www.premier.vic.gov.au)
  33. ^ sexual, and reproductive health (www.health.vic.gov.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/a-new-government-inquiry-will-examine-womens-pain-and-treatment-how-and-why-is-it-different-221747

The Times Features

The Benefits of Animal-Assisted Speech Therapy For Children

Speech therapy has long been a standard for supporting children’s communication and emotional development. But what happens when you introduce a furry friend into the process? Th...

The Hidden Dangers of Blocked Drains and the Ultimate Solution for a Hassle-Free Home

Drain blockages are a big hassle to every homeowner and business owner alike. Whether it is a sink in the kitchen or bathroom, a clogged toilet, or a foul smell circulating aroun...

Understanding the Dangers of Ignoring a Gas Leak

Gas leaks are silent threats lurking within both homes and workplaces. A gas leak occurs when natural gas or any other gaseous substance escapes from a pipeline or containment. T...

Can You Sell Your House Privately in Queensland? Here’s How

Selling a house privately in Queensland is entirely possible and can be a cost-effective alternative to using a real estate agent. While agents provide valuable expertise, their co...

Itinerary to Maximize Your Two-Week Adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia

Two weeks may not seem like much, but it’s just the right time for travelers to explore the best of Vietnam and Cambodia. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the magnificent te...

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Times Magazine

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

LayBy Shopping