Key statistics
- Approximately 200,000 women in Victoria suffer from endometriosis. [1] On average, it takes 7 years from the beginning of symptoms to receiving a diagnosis. This leaves women suffering pain that significantly affects their lives and choices. [2]
- Women are much less likely to play sport. Only 15.1% of women and girls aged 15 and over in Victoria take part in sport activities 3 times per week. For Victorian men and boys of the same age, it is 26.5%. [3]
- Pregnancy poses an increased mental health risk for women. Almost 1 in 5 women experience a mental health condition during pregnancy. [4]
Gender is a core determinant of health. Women and gender diverse people often face barriers to accessing health services that relate to cost, distance, culturally appropriate practice and the services that are available. Aboriginal women experience these barriers more, as do women living with a disability, migrant and multicultural women, women in regional and rural areas and LGBTIQ+ communities. Many people also do not get the care they need because some services lack cultural safety, sensitivity and responsiveness.
We will deliver a comprehensive package that ensures all women and gender diverse people can access the dedicated health services they need – no matter where they live or how much they earn. Victoria has always been a leader in providing safe, supportive and judgment-free healthcare, putting patients and their needs at the centre of every medical decision. But we know there’s more work to do.
Reproductive system conditions and issues can be barriers to good sexual and reproductive health, and general health and wellbeing. Such issues include menstruation, fertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, pelvic pain, contraception and sexually transmissible infections. Menopause has a big impact on the lives of women. This is because of stigma, lack of research and information, and lack of adequate and appropriate health care.
We recognise these are specialist areas that need expert attention. This strategy has significant actions to achieve this, including:
- to establish women’s health clinics
- a Women’s Health Research Institute
- the expansion of services for endometriosis and sexual and reproductive health care.
Systemic and unconscious biases mean women’s pain is often not taken seriously or treated properly. This leads to delays in diagnosis and care. Women report more severe levels of pain, more often and for longer durations. Despite this, women receive less treatment for pain than men. Diseases that mainly affect women and that have different symptoms to men do not receive the same levels of study or treatment. They are also often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. For example, heart attack symptoms in women are less recognised than in men. We are establishing an inquiry into women’s pain management to examine these systemic issues and find solutions.
Healthcare service workers also need training to ensure they are safe, inclusive and affirming for gender diverse communities. Through Our equal state, we will support 200 community and mental health service providers to become Rainbow Tick accredited to ensure safer and more inclusive care for LGBTIQ+ Victorians.
Case study: giving women’s health the focus and funding it deserves
We are working to deliver a comprehensive package to reform and expand women’s health services across the state.
We will create 20 new women's health clinics to give women access to specialist multidisciplinary assessment and treatment for conditions such as endometriosis and pelvic pain. A new mobile women’s health clinic will also visit remote parts of the state, and we are working with Aboriginal health organisations to deliver an extra dedicated Aboriginal-led women’s health clinic.
We will add 9 new locations to our network of women’s sexual and reproductive health hubs. This will give more women access to closer to home services and advice on contraception, pregnancy termination, and sexual health testing and treatment.
We will increase the number of surgeries for endometriosis and associated conditions, with an estimated 10,800 extra laparoscopies over the next 4 years. We are providing $2 million for scholarships to upskill the workforce with 100 more women’s healthcare specialists.
Working in partnership with the Australian Government, we will invest $5 million to support the creation of a Women’s Health Research Institute. This will help address the gender gap in medical research, where conditions unique to women don’t get enough funding and women aren’t meaningfully included in clinical trials.
We will also undertake an inquiry into women’s pain management, to examine systemic issues and find solutions. A panel of experts will chair the inquiry. They will review data and information and hear directly from women from different backgrounds on their experience accessing treatment.
Planning is under way on each phase of these reforms, and we will continue to work with the health sector and community, making sure Victorian women get the highest quality care.
References
[1] Better Health Channel, Women's reproductive health: where to find reliable information and services, 2023, accessed 12 April 2023. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/healthyliving/womens-sexual-reproductive-health-info-services
[2] KE Nnoaham, L Hummelshoj, P Webster et al., Impact of endometriosis on quality of life and work productivity: a multicenter study across ten countries, 2011. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21718982/
[3] Australian Sports Commission, AusPlay Data Portal, 2021–22, accessed 16 May 2023. https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/research/ausplay/results.
[4] Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia, Mental health and wellbeing during pregnancy, accessed 17 May 2023. https://panda.org.au/articles/mental-health-and-wellbeing-during-pregnancy/
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