Health Issues That Military Women Face
Women are the fastest growing segment of people serving in the military. As their influence grows, so does the recognition of the special health needs of women vets and those in active service.
Gender-Specific Needs
Imagine becoming ill, only to find yourself sharing a VA hospital room with a man. At first it might seem like not that big of a deal—but the lack of privacy that ensues can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for someone facing a serious illness or traumatic injury. In a VA hospital system designed with male patients in mind, the simplest things, like providing women with appropriate hospital gowns, to having an adequate amount of women’s services like mammograms and PAP smears, were once hard to come by. While it was a long time coming, the VA finally established medical and psychological services especially for women beginning in 1988, and the VA’s Women Veterans Health (WVH) Strategic Health Care Group has only grown since them.
Reproductive and Sexual Health
Women have sexual health and reproductive needs that can be more complicated and sensitive than men's. For example, some women who served in Vietnam learned only later that their close proximity to the chemical Agent Orange was most likely responsible for their child’s birth defects. As you can see, serving in the military can have some unforeseen repercussions for women’s health.
Moreover, in the military and after service, women still have to be concerned about health issues that all women face—like getting regular PAP smears, mammograms, and gynecological exams. As women age, they are more susceptible to diseases like osteoporosis, which need to be addressed by a physician knowledgeable in women’s issues. These are some of the services that are continuing to be expanded under the VA’s women’s health care initiative.
Mental Health Issues
Women are not only serving in the military in clerical and administrative capacities. More and more they are seeing areas torn by war, through their role in peacekeeping forces, post-disaster relief, or other positions. This means that women veterans are developing more and more mental illness symptoms that were previously only associated with male veterans.
Women who have been exposed to war zones may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition characterized by anxiety, depression, panic attacks, anger, nightmares, and more. Women who have been the victim of sexual assault or rape may also develop PTSD. The VA hospital system has developed counseling and therapy programs designed specifically for the needs of women veterans who find themselves in the grip of mental illness.
Resources
Sources:
The American Legion Guide for Women Veterans. (2010) The American Legion
Women Veterans Issues. (2010) United States Department of Veterans Affairs