- Published:
- Monday 18 May 2026 at 11:00 am
The green whistle (Penthrox) is now available at all Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Hubs.
It’s a safe, fast acting and dignified pain management option available for free for IUD insertions and removal.
The rollout was a promise made by the Allan Labor Government – and now delivered – following the release of Victoria’s landmark Inquiry into Women’s Pain.
The report highlights the near-universal experience of significant or severe pain during IUD procedures. It revealed:
- for too many, IUD insertions were completed without adequate pain relief options available
- women were told they would only have minimal discomfort and some cramping manageable with paracetamol, only to experience severe pain
Rolling out the green whistle at all 20 hubs is just one way of giving women and girls control of their own care.
More than 11,000 women and girls used the free or low-cost services across the network of hubs last year.
Nearly 40 per cent of hub patients were concession card holders, with most living in the regions.
The hubs offer a range of services including contraception, medical abortion and referrals for surgical abortion, as well as testing, early diagnosis and treatment of STIs.
Labor expanded these hubs right across Victoria because only Labor invests in health.
Jess Wilson has a plan to cut more than $40 billion from the budget – and our health system will bear the brunt.
For more information, please visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au/sexual-and-reproductive-health-hubs.
Quotes attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan
“So many women have experienced their pain symptoms being dismissed, and I’m one of them.”
“This is a small but important step – we believe you, we’ll support you, and it’s free.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Harriet Shing
“Jess Wilson’s $40 billion cuts plan will make it harder and more expensive for Victorian women and girls to access the healthcare they need.”
“Providing the green whistle through our Sexual and Reproductive Health Hubs will prevent and ease pain, and save women and girls time and money.”