Women’s* health and pain have been minimised, misunderstood, and misdiagnosed in medical settings for too long. Despite significant advancements in medicine and healthcare technology, countless women with endometriosis, PCOS, fibromyalgia, and other conditions continue to struggle for proper diagnosis and effective treatment.
Many women report feeling unheard or undertreated in the healthcare system. When they report pain, they’re too often met with skepticism rather than solutions—told their symptoms are “just stress,” “all in your head,” or simply part of being female.
This systemic failure doesn’t just represent a gap in care; it fundamentally diminishes quality of life, erodes mental health, and perpetuates a cycle where suffering is normalised rather than treated.
Challenging medical bias
Female pain has historically been sidelined in medical research and clinical practice, too frequently labeled as “emotional,” “hormonal,” or “exaggerated.” This dismissal leads to troubling consequences: years-long diagnostic delays, inadequate treatment protocols, and unnecessary suffering.
Here’s how you can advocate effectively for better care:
Speak up about your experience
Share your experiences openly—with healthcare providers, support groups, and on social media. Share your story, connect with others, and help raise awareness about the challenges women face in getting proper pain management.
Stay informed and ask questions
Research your symptoms thoroughly, document your pain patterns, and come prepared to appointments with specific questions. If a provider dismisses your concerns, don’t hesitate to seek second or third opinions.
Support research and policy change
Support organisations researching women’s health conditions, sign petitions for increased research funding, and contact elected officials about healthcare equity legislation. Individual advocacy combined with collective action creates powerful change.
Your pain isn’t imaginary, exaggerated, or something to endure silently. You deserve healthcare that takes your symptoms seriously and pursues effective treatment with urgency and respect.
The expanding role of natural therapies in women’s pain management
As more research emerges, natural therapies are being better recognised as a treatment option for women’s health issues where conventional therapies may not have been effective.
The phytocannabinoids found in cannabis plants work by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system—a complex network that helps regulate pain perception, inflammatory responses, and mood stabilisation. For many women, these natural alternatives offer meaningful relief with potentially fewer severe side effects than conventional analgesics like opioids, providing a valuable option when first-line treatments haven’t delivered adequate results.
Natural therapies (CBD and THC containing medicines) are gaining recognition as a pain management tool for women’s health conditions, like endometriosis, where conventional first-line therapies have not been effective. Some common dosing formats include:
- Oils and edibles: Longer-lasting effects, but have slower onset.
- Wafers: Quicker acting than oils/edibles, avoiding vaporisation, can be another effective option for breakthrough pain.
- Topical and PV creams: Can be useful for cyclical pelvic pain.
- Vaporisation: Offers quicker relief for breakthrough pain.
Natural therapies may also help address other conditions women with chronic pain can experience, including sleep disorders, and mental health issues.
In addition to their direct pain-relieving properties, natural therapies may also help reduce reliance on pharmaceutical painkillers, including NSAIDs and opioids. Many women seek alternative options due to concerns over side effects, long-term dependency, or medication resistance.
A discussion with a specialised doctor is important. A medical professional with expertise in natural therapies can develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, ensuring your care is safe and effective.
Final thoughts
Women deserve better recognition and treatment of their pain. The stigma surrounding women’s pain and alternative natural treatments is slowly changing, but there is still work to be done. If you’ve faced challenges in pain management, know that you’re not alone, and that your voice matters in the fight for better women’s health care.
If you’re curious about natural therapies, you can organise a complimentary nurse chat with the Astrid team.
Olivia Lackmann is Astrid Health’s Clinical Manager, and a Registered Nurse with experience in specialty surgical nursing, palliative care, and general practice. Olivia is committed to guiding and supporting patients in achieving better wellness. She has spoken with hundreds of women suffering from debilitating chronic conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis, and PCOS, and has gained valuable insight into their stories, experiences and treatment outcomes.
*At Astrid, while we use the term ‘women’ in our endometriosis campaign, we recognise this reflects common but incomplete medical terminology. Endometriosis can affect people across the gender spectrum, and conventional language often fails to acknowledge this reality. We welcome and support all individuals affected by endometriosis, regardless of gender identity.
