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Welcome to your PAIN PASS

1 in 2 women feel their pain was dismissed because of their gender.

When it comes to recognising bias, here are some signs to look out for:

  • Were you consistently interrupted?
  • Did you feel dismissed when you explained your symptoms?
  • Were assumptions made based on your gender? "It's normal for women..."

This free tool is designed to help you tackle bias and have a constructive conversation with your healthcare professional. Track your pain, record your symptoms and learn what to do when facing bias.

Let's get started...

Step 1: Remember to “PASS”

Unconscious bias exists all around us, even in healthcare.

If you feel like you aren’t being heard, pause the conversation "can we pause here, and discuss this in a bit more detail together?”

Clarify with your healthcare professional how they came to their diagnosis and what their treatment plan is.

Your pain is valid, have the confidence to know you can speak up  if you feel like your concerns have been ignored or dismissed.

If you continue to feel like your healthcare professional does not fully understand your situation, you're entitled to ask for a second opinion, "I'd like another opinion, could you refer me to someone else?"

Step 2: Have your details ready

Keeping notes, or an account of your symptoms, can make the most out of your time at your appointment. The Pain Pass can help you record these details.

For severe pain or if you're worried, always seek help immediately!

Step 3: Can’t find the words?

Finding the right words to describe your pain can help get you the correct diagnosis, faster.

Describing how your pain feels can be difficult. Here are some common terms that you might find useful to use in conversation with your doctor.

  • Stabbing
  • Burning
  • Cramping
  • Shooting
  • Sharp
  • Heaviness
  • Aching
  • Dull
  • Radiating
  • Twisting
  • Pinching
  • Tightness
  • Spasms
  • Throbbing
  • Tingling
  • Sporadic
  • Constant
  • Localized
  • Gnawing
  • Pulsing

Step 4: Does pain disrupt your life?

Knowing how your pain impacts your life can be useful in reaching a diagnosis.

Use this scale to explain how much your pain disrupts your life.

Explaining the everyday reality of your pain to a Healthcare Professional can help them understand you and your experience of pain as an individual.

  • Minimally

    1

    I can carry on as normal

  • 2

    I’ve noticed some changes

  • 3

    I’m struggling more than usual and need help from others to manage

  • 4

    I’m noticing a lot of disruption to my life, sleep, work and family

  • Severely

    5

    I can’t manage with my normal routine, everything is affected

Step 5: Things to remember

It's hard when you're asking for help, you don't have much time and there's so much to say.

  • Always remember the PASS acronym

  • Your family history is relevant; heart disease, diabetes, cancer, thyroid issues or any other conditions, do share it

  • Your pain matters, you are entitled to the right healthcare

  • If you feel you need additional support, consider bringing a close friend or family member with you to your appointment

Download and start now

Download your personal Pain Pass here to track and articulate your pain, helping you and your healthcare professional have more constructive conversations.

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Pain Pass, help break the bias and navigate your pain journey with confidence
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Always read the label.

All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. In all health matters for further information or medical advice, please speak to your GP or a Pharmacist.

Nurofen Express 200mg Liquid Capsules, Nurofen Express 400mg Liquid Capsules, Nurofen Back Pain 300mg Sustained Release Capsules, Nurofen Express 684mg Caplets, Nurofen Express 256mg Tablets, Nurofen Joint & Back Pain Relief Max Strength 10% Gel, Nurofen Express Period Pain 200mg Soft Capsules, Nurofen Pain Relief 200mg Soft Capsules, Nurofen 200mg Caplets, Nurofen Express 256mg Tablets, Nurofen Meltlets Lemon. Contains Ibuprofen. For pain relief. Suitable for adults and children over 12 years.
Nurofen Joint & Muscular Pain Relief 200mg Medicated Plaster, For pain relief of muscular strains or sprains close to the joint of the upper or lower limb. Contain ibuprofen.
Nurofen Cold & Flu Relief 200mg/5mg Tablets, Nurofen Day & Night Cold & Flu 200mg/5mg Tablets, Contains ibuprofen & phenylephrine hydrochloride, For cold & flu relief.
Nurofen Migraine Pain, Contains ibuprofen lysine, For the relief of headache and migraine pain.
Nurofen Plus, Contains ibuprofen and codeine, For the short-term treatment of acute, moderate pain which is not considered to be relieved by other analgesics such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin alone. For 3 days use only. May cause addiction.
Nuromol Dual Action Pain Relief 200/500mg tablets. Contains ibuprofen & paracetamol. For pain relief not relieved by ibuprofen or paracetamol individually.
Nurofen for Children 3 months to 12 years Strawberry Suspension, Nurofen for Children 3 months to 9 years Orange Suspension, Nurofen for Children Cold, Pain and Fever 3 months to 9 years Strawberry/Orange. Contains ibuprofen. For pain and fever relief. For children from 3 months and weighing over 5kg. Nurofen for Children 100mg Chewable Capsules, Soft for children 7+ years. For pain and fever relief. For children from 7 years. Nurofen for Children Strawberry Singles 100mg/5ml Oral suspension. Contains Ibuprofen. For children over 3 months (weighing more than 5kg). For pain and fever relief. Nurofen for Children 200 mg/5 ml Orange Oral Suspension. Contains Ibuprofen. For pain and fever relief. For children from 7 years old and weighing more than 20kg. Always read the label

* For verification, please contact PO BOX 4044, SLOUGH, SL1 0NS.
**Refers to absorption
† 2 capsule dose
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