Improving the Health and Readiness of Military Women
Abstract
Women comprise approximately one-fifth of the total force in the U.S. Military. Gynecologic and reproductive health issues not only affect the health and wellness of individual servicewomen but may also impact the mission of the DoD. Unintended pregnancies can result in adverse maternal and infant outcomes and can negatively impact the careers of military women and mission readiness. Gynecologic conditions such as abnormal uterine bleeding, fibroids, and endometriosis can also limit women’s optimal health and performance, and a significant proportion of military women have indicated their desire to manage and/or suppress menstrual cycles, especially when deployed. Access to the full range of contraceptive methods is an important strategy to allow women to achieve their reproductive goals and address other health concerns. This report reviews rates of unintended pregnancy and contraceptive utilization among servicewomen and examines factors that influence these measures of health.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2023
- Source ID
- 10.1093/milmed/usac354
Entities
People
- Catherine Witkop
- Elizabeth Kostas-Polston
- Linda C Degutis
Organizations
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
- Yale School of Public Health