New Victorian standard aims to improve care for women living with pain
14 Sep 2026
The Victorian Women’s Pain Standard was launched on Sunday following a 2024 inquiry that involved 13,000 women and girls.
The inquiry found that more than 90% of respondents had experienced pain lasting longer than a year, while 54% said they lived with pain every day.
The findings also showed that pain affected mental health for 89% of respondents. Recreation and hobbies were affected for 59%, while 44% reported an impact on work, study or volunteering.
The new Standard sets out four key principles. Women, girls and gender diverse people should:
- have their pain taken seriously and be believed
- be listened to and supported to ask questions
- be treated as partners when decisions are made about their body, treatment and care
- be given choices and practical support to manage pain safely and effectively.
The Standard responds to concerns that women’s pain can be minimised, treated as normal or overlooked.
It also highlights the experience of painful gynaecological examinations. The Standard says these procedures can be distressing or traumatic when patients are not told what to expect or are not given the opportunity to discuss appropriate pain relief.
It states that historical systemic bias has contributed to unnecessary and avoidable pain for many women, girls and gender diverse people and has reduced trust in the healthcare system.
Professor Danielle Mazza, a GP and member of the Victorian Women’s Health Advisory Council, said the Standard responds to concerns raised by many women.
She said women should expect their pain to be taken seriously, their concerns addressed and their views included in decisions about their care.
The Standard also recognises that many Victorian health professionals already provide high-quality care. Its principles aim to make this experience consistent across healthcare.
Professor Mazza said GPs should recognise the power imbalance that can exist during consultations and understand how pain can affect different areas of a person’s life.
She encouraged healthcare professionals to listen carefully, use shared decision-making and provide evidence-based care.
Under the Standard, women, girls and gender diverse people should also be supported to understand their condition and treatment options.
Pain relief options should be discussed before and during gynaecological procedures, including IUD insertion. The Standard also says patients should expect timely diagnosis, early treatment and ongoing pain care, along with culturally safe and inclusive care that recognises past trauma.
Victoria Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said women should be heard, believed and treated with respect when seeking healthcare.
New Victorian standard aims to improve care for women living with pain
Source: Victorian Department of Health; RACGP newsGP