In U.S. veterans of reproductive age, having greater healthcare engagement and more reliance on providers as trusted sources of contraceptive information could improve their knowledge, according to a recent study.
Severe Maternal Morbidity, 30-Day Readmissions Linked to Delivery Volumes at Military Hospitals
In women who delivered at U.S. military hospitals between fiscal years 2019 and 2023, obstetric delivery volume, the number of annual births was significantly associated with severe maternal morbidity and the possibility of 30-day readmissions, according to a recent study.
Pentagon to Reimburse Troops for Sperm and Egg Freezing Before Deployment
Nearly 2,000 U.S. troops suffered debilitating injuries to their groins or genitals during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2000 and 2013, and about 307,000 more sustained some type of head injury over the same period, all injuries that can compromise fertility and sexual function.
Severe Maternal Morbidity, 30-Day Readmissions Linked to Delivery Volumes at Military Hospitals
In women who delivered at U.S. military hospitals between fiscal years 2019 and 2023, obstetric delivery volume, the number of annual births was significantly associated with severe maternal morbidity and the possibility of 30-day readmissions, according to a recent study.
Pentagon to Reimburse Troops for Sperm and Egg Freezing Before Deployment
Nearly 2,000 U.S. troops suffered debilitating injuries to their groins or genitals during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2000 and 2013, and about 307,000 more sustained some type of head injury over the same period, all injuries that can compromise fertility and sexual function.
Care for Pregnant Veterans With RA ‘Fragmented’
Although they receive strong support from maternity care coordinators (MCCs), pregnant women veterans with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experience fragmented care across systems, according to a new review.
Very Low Percentages of Veterans Have Received Contraception Information from Providers
In U.S. veterans of reproductive age, having greater healthcare engagement and more reliance on providers as trusted sources of contraceptive information could improve their knowledge, according to a recent study.
Many Female Veterans Unaware They Can Get Menopause Symptom Care at VA
Nearly half of women veterans who receive VA healthcare are at an age when menopause is most likely to occur. But, while VA offers care for menopause symptoms, like hot flashes and issues with memory, mood and sleep, an investigation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that the majority of women veterans are unaware those services exist.
Gynecologic Cancer Diagnoses Rising Among Women Veterans
The number of gynecologic cancer diagnoses among women veterans and military servicemembers has nearly tripled over the past two decades, reflecting both the growing population of women who have served in the military and an increasing need to address cancer prevention, treatment and survivorship in this population, according to a new study.
Polygenic Scores Show Limited Value in Cardiovascular Risk Prediction for Breast Cancer Survivors
Approximately 4 million women in the United States are living with breast cancer, a number that reflects advances in screening and treatment. As survivorship improves, attention has increasingly shifted toward long-term risks such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), a leading cause of mortality in this population and a growing concern within the VA, given the increasing number of women veterans.
One-Fifth of Women in U.S. Army Not Getting Contraception Needs Met
Nearly 20% of women in the U.S. Army with a need for contraception potentially had that need unmet for 12 months, resulting in twice the rate of unintended pregnancy compared to women whose contraception needs were met, according to a new study.
Availability of Women’s Health PCPs Can Stem Female Veterans Attrition From VA Care
In the VA healthcare system, which has predominantly male patients, new women veteran patients who receive care from a women’s health primary care practitioner have a much lower risk of discontinuing VA care.
Female Veterans Faced Sharper Declines in Well-Being From COVID-19 Pandemic
Female post-9/11 veterans took an especially hard hit to their well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, faring worse than their male counterparts, according to a new study.
Higher Liver Cancer Rates in U.S. Women Driven by Rising ICC Incidence
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), the second most commonly occurring liver cancer after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is becoming an increasingly important contributor to liver cancer incidence in the United States, and the increases are most notable in females, according to a new study.
VA Quietly Reinstated Almost Total Ban on Abortion Late Last Year
In the waning days of 2025, VA quietly reinstated its near-total ban on abortion care and counseling. The ban was implemented following a memo from the Department of Justice stating that their revised interpretation of federal law prohibits the department from providing abortion services to veterans and their families.
How Mental Health, Substance Use Affect Mammography Uptake in Women Veterans
Women veterans are more likely than their civilian peers to experience mental health disorders, yet how those conditions affect preventive care—such as mammography—has been unclear.
Earlier Cancer Diagnosis Among Women Veterans Has Implications for VA Screening, Care
As more women veterans turn to the VA for their healthcare, clinicians are seeing a shift in the types of cancers treated within the system, particularly breast and gynecologic cancers. But little is known about how women receiving cancer care in the VA compare to women with similar cancers in the general population. A new study has provided some answers.
Uproar Created When IVF Coverage for Servicemembers Was Stripped From Military Funding Bill
While in vitro fertilization (IVF) coverage was included in both the House and Senate versions of the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), it was stripped at the last minute from the final package, even though federal civilian employees, including members of Congress and their staff, already receive the benefit.
Hormone Therapy Use in Women Veterans Linked to CVD
Menopausal hormone therapy is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death in women veterans 45 years and older.
Female Permanent Contraception Procedures Increase in MHS After Dobbs Decision
Rates of female permanent contraception procedures increased significantly across the Military Health System (MHS) after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision—a June 2022 Supreme Court ruling that overturned the constitutional right to abortion established by Roe v. Wade and allowed individual states to set their own abortion laws.
Assessing the Effect of Food Insecurity on Steatosis in Women With HIV
Food insecurity appeared is a risk factor for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in the general population, but not much is known about the impact of food insecurity on hepatic steatosis among women with HIV (WWH) and women without HIV (WWOH), according to a new study in the journal AIDS.
Working with Service Dogs, Female Veterans Had Both Biological and Psychological Benefits
Research for years has quantified the health advantages of dog ownership with increased physical activity, stress reduction and improved mental and social well-being. A new study suggested, however, that the benefits might go beyond that.
Pregnancy-Related Complications Higher in Pregnant Veterans With Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases
Adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as severe maternal morbidity, are more prevalent among veterans with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared to other veterans, and these require closer monitoring, according to a recent study.
HPV Vaccine, Often Overlooked After Abnormal Pap Smear in Active-Duty Women
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide, with nearly all sexually active individuals expected to contract it at some point in their lives.
The Critical Role of Nurse Navigators in Cancer Care for Women Veterans
A powerful health care advocate specializing in oncology, retired Maj. Gen. Marianne Mathewson-Chapman, PhD., brought both her military leadership and her personal experience as a breast cancer patient to the forefront when she addressed the Association of VA Hematology/Oncology (AVAHO) annual meeting last month in Phoenix.
VA Seeks to Ban Nearly All Abortions at Its Medical Centers
VA has taken steps to ban nearly all abortions at its medical centers, as well as to stop covering the cost of the procedure for any spouses and dependents.
Legislation Would Allow Non-DoD Sources to Support Military Sexual Assault Claims
Legislation currently making its way through Congress could widen the door through which survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) can seek care at VA, while also making the claims process less retraumatizing.
Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma Patients Treated at DoD Fare Better Than Those in Community
Patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma in the DoD Cancer Registry had a better 5-year overall survival compared with a matched sample of U.S. patients from a national database.
Women, Minority Veterans Are at Highest Risk of Opioid Overdose Deaths
From 2010-2019, the risk of death from opioid overdoses increased 61.2% in male veterans but not female veterans, according to a recent study.
Women Veterans Less Adherent with Lung Cancer Screening Follow-up
Although the 2021 update to the United States Preventive Services Task Force guidelines for lung cancer screening (LCS) called for a reduction in disparities related to sex, race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status, few studies have looked at LCS adherence among female veterans.