Green light for green whistles

Penthrox inhalers to manage pain during IUD insertions or removals are now available for free for patients at all Victorian Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Hubs.
 
Also known as the green whistle, the inhalers have now been rolled out to 15 existing hubs as part of the Victorian Government’s $32 billion health package announced in the 2026–27 State Budget earlier this month.
 
The whistles will also be available at a further five hubs scheduled to open in the second half of 2026.
 
The introduction of green whistles across the hubs was one of 27 recommendations in the Victorian Government’s Bridging the Gender Pain Gap report released last year, in response to the state’s inquiry into women’s pain.
 
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said she is among the many women to have experienced pain symptoms being dismissed.
 
‘This is a small but important step,’ she said.
 
‘We believe you, we’ll support you, and it’s free.’
 
Victoria became the first jurisdiction in Australia to hold an inquiry into women’s pain as part of its Women’s Health and Wellbeing Program, which also ran a survey that revealed significant gender bias in women’s healthcare.
 
The women’s pain report revealed the near-universal experience of significant or severe pain during IUD procedures, with women often experiencing more pain than they were told to expect and offered inadequate pain relief options.
 
Log in below to join the conversation.

green whistle IUD insertion IUD removal LARC pain relief Penthrox women’s pain women’s pain management