Victorian women undergoing IUD insertions or removals will now be able to access free green whistle pain relief at all 20 Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Hubs, following findings that many patients had experienced serious pain without adequate pain management.
Premier Jacinta Allan said the rollout was part of a broader effort to address the dismissal of women’s pain in the health system.
“So many women have experienced their pain symptoms being dismissed, and I’m one of them,” Allan said, describing the free pain relief option as “a small but important step”.
The Victorian Government said Penthrox, commonly known as the green whistle, had now been rolled out across the statewide hub network as a pain relief option for intrauterine device procedures. The handheld inhaler contains methoxyflurane and is self-administered by patients under the supervision of a health professional.
The move follows Victoria’s Inquiry into Women’s Pain, which found IUD procedures often caused serious pain for women and girls and that many had been offered limited pain relief. The inquiry also heard women were often told to expect only minor discomfort or cramping, despite later experiencing severe pain.
Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Hubs provide services including contraception advice and procedures, medical abortion, referrals for surgical abortion, STI screening and treatment, and other reproductive health support. Most hub services are free, and patients usually do not need a GP referral.
The government said more than 11,000 women and girls used free or low-cost services across the network last year. It said nearly 40 per cent of patients were concession card holders, with many living in regional Victoria.
Health Minister Harriet Shing said providing Penthrox through the hubs would help reduce pain and cut costs for patients.
“Providing the green whistle through our Sexual and Reproductive Health Hubs will prevent and ease pain, and save women and girls time and money.”
Ms Shing also criticised Victorian Liberal Leader Jess Wilson’s proposed budget cuts, claiming they would make it harder and more expensive for women and girls to access health care.
The statewide rollout builds on earlier use of the green whistle at Peninsula Health, where it was piloted for IUD procedures before being expanded across Victoria’s hub network.
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