The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Longer appointments are just the start of tackling the gender pain gap. Here are 4 more things we can do

  • Written by Michelle O'Shea, Senior Lecturer, School of Business, Western Sydney University
Longer appointments are just the start of tackling the gender pain gap. Here are 4 more things we can do

Ahead of today’s federal budget, health minister Mark Butler last week announced[1] an investment of A$49.1 million to help women with endometriosis and complex gynaecological conditions such as chronic pelvic pain and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

From July 1 2025 two new items[2] will be added to the Medicare Benefits Schedule providing extended consultation times and higher rebates for specialist gynaecological care.

The Medicare changes will subsidise[3] $168.60 for a minimum of 45 minutes during a longer initial gynaecologist consultation, compared to the standard rate of $95.60. For follow-up consultations, Medicare will cover $84.35 for a minimum of 45 minutes, compared to the standard rate of $48.05.

Currently, there’s no specified time[4] for these initial or subsequent consultations.

But while reductions to out-of-pocket medical expenses and extended specialist consultation times are welcome news, they’re only a first step in closing the gender pain gap.

Chronic pain affects more women

Globally, research has shown chronic pain (generally defined as pain that persists for more than three months[5]) disproportionately affects women[6]. Multiple biological and psychosocial processes likely contribute to this disparity, often called the gender pain gap.

For example, chronic pain is frequently associated with conditions influenced by hormones[7], among other factors, such as endometriosis and adenomyosis[8]. Chronic pelvic pain in women, regardless of the cause, can be debilitating and negatively affect[9] every facet of life from social activities, to work and finances, to mental health and relationships.

The gender pain gap is both rooted in and compounded by gender bias in medical research, treatment and social norms.

The science that informs medicine – including the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease – has traditionally focused on men, thereby failing to consider[10] the crucial impact of sex (biological) and gender (social) factors.

When medical research adopts a “male as default” approach, this limits our understanding of pain conditions that predominantly affect women or how certain conditions affect men and women differently[11]. It also means intersex, trans and gender-diverse people are commonly excluded[12] from medical research and health care.

Minimisation or dismissal of pain along with the normalisation of menstrual pain[13] as just “part of being a woman” contribute to significant delays and misdiagnosis of women’s gynaecological and other health issues. Feeling dismissed, along with perceptions of stigma, can make women less likely to seek help[14] in the future.

Inadequate medical care

Unfortunately, even when women with endometriosis do seek care, many aren’t satisfied[15]. This is understandable when medical advice includes being told to become pregnant to treat their endometriosis[16], despite no evidence[17] pregnancy reduces symptoms. Pregnancy should be an autonomous choice, not a treatment option.

It’s unsurprising people look for information from other, often uncredentialed[18], sources. While online platforms including patient-led groups have provided women with new avenues of support, these forums should complement, rather than replace, information from a doctor[19].

Longer Medicare-subsidised appointments are an important acknowledgement of women and their individual health needs. At present, many women feel their consultations with a gynaecologist are rushed[20]. These conversations, which often include coming to terms with a diagnosis and management plan, take time[21].

A young woman sitting on a bed clutching her pelvic area in pain.
Women are more likely to experience chronic pain than men. New Africa/Shutterstock[22]

A path toward less pain

While extended consultation time and reduced out-of-pocket costs are a step in the right direction, they are only one part of a complex pain puzzle.

If women are not listened to, their symptoms not recognised, and effective treatment options not adequately discussed and provided, longer gynaecological consultations may not help patients. So what else do we need to do?

1. Physician knowledge

Doctors’ knowledge of women’s pain requires development through both practitioner education and guidelines[23]. This knowledge should also include dedicated efforts toward understanding the neuroscience of pain[24].

Diagnostic processes should be tailored to consider gender-specific symptoms and responses to pain[25].

2. Research and collaboration

Medical decisions should be based on the best and most inclusive evidence. Understanding the complexities of pain in women is essential for managing their pain. Collaboration between health-care experts from different disciplines can facilitate comprehensive and holistic pain research and management strategies.

3. Further care and service improvements

Women’s health requires multidisciplinary treatment and care which extends beyond their GP or specialist. For example, conditions like endometriosis often see people presenting to emergency departments in acute pain[26], so practitioners in these settings need to have the right knowledge and be able to provide support.

Meanwhile, pelvic ultrasounds, especially the kind that have the potential to visualise endometriosis, take longer to perform and require a specialist sonographer[27]. Current rebates do not reflect the time and expertise needed for these imaging procedures.

A smiling nurse supports a patient.
Conditions such as endometriosis require multidisciplinary care. wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock[28]

4. Adjusting the parameters of ‘women’s pain’

Conditions like PCOS and endometriosis don’t just affect women – they also impact people who are gender-diverse. Improving how people in this group are treated is just as salient as addressing how we treat women.

Similarly, the gynaecological health-care needs of culturally and linguistically diverse and Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander women may be even less likely to be met[29] than those of women in the general population.

Challenging gender norms

Research suggests one of the keys to reducing the gender pain gap is challenging deeply embedded gendered norms[30] in clinical practice and research.

We are hearing women’s suffering. Let’s make sure we are also listening and responding in ways that close the gender pain gap.

References

  1. ^ last week announced (www.abc.net.au)
  2. ^ two new items (www.health.gov.au)
  3. ^ will subsidise (www1.racgp.org.au)
  4. ^ no specified time (www9.health.gov.au)
  5. ^ more than three months (www.healthdirect.gov.au)
  6. ^ women (academic.oup.com)
  7. ^ hormones (www.sciencedirect.com)
  8. ^ adenomyosis (theconversation.com)
  9. ^ negatively affect (www.nature.com)
  10. ^ failing to consider (www.theguardian.com)
  11. ^ differently (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  12. ^ commonly excluded (www.deakin.edu.au)
  13. ^ normalisation of menstrual pain (www.hindawi.com)
  14. ^ to seek help (link.springer.com)
  15. ^ aren’t satisfied (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  16. ^ endometriosis (bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com)
  17. ^ no evidence (academic.oup.com)
  18. ^ uncredentialed (www.mdpi.com)
  19. ^ information from a doctor (journals.sagepub.com)
  20. ^ rushed (www1.racgp.org.au)
  21. ^ take time (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  22. ^ New Africa/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  23. ^ education and guidelines (health-policy-systems.biomedcentral.com)
  24. ^ neuroscience of pain (www.newyorker.com)
  25. ^ pain (www.thelancet.com)
  26. ^ acute pain (www.aihw.gov.au)
  27. ^ specialist sonographer (www.sciencedirect.com)
  28. ^ wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  29. ^ less likely to be met (www.mdpi.com)
  30. ^ gendered norms (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Read more https://theconversation.com/longer-appointments-are-just-the-start-of-tackling-the-gender-pain-gap-here-are-4-more-things-we-can-do-229802

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

The Role of Your GP in Creating a Chronic Disease Management Plan That Works

Living with a long-term condition, whether that is diabetes, asthma, arthritis or heart disease, means making hundreds of small decisions every day. You plan your diet against m...

Troubleshooting Flickering Lights: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik Effectively addressing flickering lights in your home is more than just a matter of convenience; it's a pivotal aspect of both home safety and en...

My shins hurt after running. Could it be shin splints?

If you’ve started running for the first time, started again after a break, or your workout is more intense, you might have felt it. A dull, nagging ache down your shins after...

Metal Roof Replacement Cost Per Square Metre in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Australian Homeowners

In recent years, the trend of installing metal roofs has surged across Australia. With their reputation for being both robust and visually appealing, it's easy to understand thei...

Why You’re Always Adjusting Your Bra — and What to Do Instead

Image by freepik It starts with a gentle tug, then a subtle shift, and before you know it, you're adjusting your bra again — in the middle of work, at dinner, even on the couch. I...

How to Tell If Your Eyes Are Working Harder Than They Should Be

Image by freepik Most of us take our vision for granted—until it starts to let us down. Whether it's squinting at your phone, rubbing your eyes at the end of the day, or feeling ...