Australian Women Face Systemic Dismissal of Chronic Pain and Illness

The article highlights the common experience of Australian women facing dismissal and misdiagnosis of chronic pain and other conditions by healthcare professionals. Multiple individuals shared their experiences, illustrating systemic issues in women's health.

Personal Stories: A Pattern of Dismissal

Emily W began experiencing lower stomach and back pain at age 11. Her symptoms were initially dismissed as growing pains or irritable bowel syndrome by family and doctors. She was later prescribed the pill, which she described as a "shut-up remedy," as her pain was not cyclical and persisted. Despite significant struggles with daily activities and fatigue, she was labeled "anxious" by health professionals. Approximately five years after her pain started, Emily W was diagnosed with both endometriosis and adenomyosis during surgery.

Emily M reported a similar experience with her Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) diagnosis, stating that doctors frequently attributed her symptoms to anxiety and required her to take mental health self-assessment tests. She described her constant light-headedness and high heart rate during simple activities, which were often dismissed as panic. Emily M eventually fought for her heart rate to be measured, leading to a "not normal" reading and subsequent diagnosis.

Lucy Savage's endometriosis symptoms began at age nine. At 15, severe pain led to her collapsing, but doctors dismissed her symptoms, including mood changes, as "normal teen angst."

Systemic Challenges and Expert Insights

Following an ABC investigation into a Melbourne gynaecologist, these women shared their stories, reflecting findings that more than two-thirds of Australian women feel routinely dismissed by healthcare professionals. They advocate for others to assert their health needs.

Dr. Sarah White, CEO of Jean Hailes for Women's Health, stated that women's pain has historically been ignored and that antidepressants are commonly prescribed instead of pain management for chronic conditions.

Emily W noted the "catch-22" where advocating for needs can lead to being labeled a hypochondriac, while not advocating prevents needs from being met.

She described feeling "belittled" and fighting against a "doctor's ego and a system that's supposed to be there to help." Emily W eventually found a specialist who listened, leading to a surgery recommendation she had previously been denied due to age.

Empirical Evidence Confirms Widespread Dismissal

Evidence supports these experiences. A 2025 Victorian inquiry into women's pain found 71 percent of respondents cited dismissal by medical professionals as a major health challenge. Global studies indicate women experience longer diagnostic waits for conditions like cancer and heart disease and are less likely to receive pain medication. Peer-reviewed research suggests women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with a mental illness when exhibiting symptoms consistent with heart disease.

Unique Hurdles for Young Women and Biological Factors

Research into these obstacles specifically for young women is limited. Dr. White suggested younger women might encounter a "slightly patronising" attitude. She noted that up to 70 percent of chronic pain cases are women, yet approximately 80 percent of pain studies are conducted on male subjects. Dr. White also explained physiological differences, stating females have a higher density of some nerve fibers and respond differently to pain at a molecular level, a fact often unknown to health professionals. In the case of POTS, women are about five times more likely to be diagnosed than men, with 70 percent of those with POTS reporting initial symptom dismissal as anxiety.

A Traumatic IUD Experience

Lucy Savage also experienced severe complications after a hormonal IUD insertion, which she believes had undisclosed risks. Her body rejected the IUD, causing severe pain and multiple emergency visits where male doctors dismissed her symptoms as constipation. A female doctor eventually identified the IUD as the cause and removed it. Lucy attributes her subsequent POTS diagnosis to the physical trauma from this incident.

Toward a Better Future: Shifting Practices and Patient Advocacy

Associate Professor Magdalena Simonis, a women's health expert at The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP, indicates a slow shift in the sector. She emphasized the need for GPs to holistically approach chronic pain and investigate further rather than assuming psychological problems. The 2018 National Action Plan for Endometriosis is credited with raising awareness of gendered failings and empowering GPs to conduct initial investigations, reducing diagnostic delays.

Dr. White advises patients to advocate for themselves by acquiring knowledge, skills, and confidence, especially young women. She recommended providing concrete examples of how pain impacts daily life, keeping a pain diary, and requesting doctors to document reasons for declining treatment options. Emily W shares her experiences with classmates, advising them to bring a parent to appointments. Lucy Savage founded XOXO, Endo, a platform for regional endometriosis education and awareness, inspiring others to recognize symptoms and seek care. She is pursuing a career as a woman's health nurse, motivated by supportive healthcare professionals.