Survey findings along with written submissions and feedback from more than 20 community forum and focus groups, will inform recommendations to Victorian Women’s Health Advisory Council by the end of the year.
Women’s pain, often in relation to the reproductive system, is an issue that often falls on deaf ears when it comes medical professionals.
A family member of mine who suffers from endometriosis continues to jump through many hoops years after she had a total hysterectomy aged in her 20s. She had suffered from pain since her teenage years and lost count of the amount of doctors and specialists she had seen who did not resolve her issues.
Every day, girls and women are enduring excruciating pain and told that it’s just period pain, or worse, it’s all in their head.
To fight the medical system as well as fight ongoing pain is not only physically exhausting but can result in mental exhaustion and ongoing mental health issues.
And once again, the problem can be worse for people in regional areas – with a lack of treatment options and education contributing.
The Federal Government is expanding the number of pelvic pain and endometriosis clinics, which is hoped to shorten diagnosis times and better inform communities. But the new clinics are only earmarked for the capital cities and major regional centres.
Endometriosis Australia is campaigning for all health practitioners to be better educated.
The scope of the State Government’s inquiry covers more than endometriosis, it looks at all chronic pain suffered by women.
Chronic pain affects a higher proportion of girls and women than men. However, women are less likely to receive treatment.
To make a submission visit health.vic.gov.au/public-health/inquiry-into-womens-pain.
There are also two community forums planned for August, with registrations now open for the Caroline Springs forum on August 7 and Bendigo forum on August 23.
The entire July 31, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
