Overview of Physical and Mental Health Issues: Women at War

This article will cover a wide range of health issues for women who deploy, either to combat or to other operations, such as humanitarian assistance. The introduction to the series gave the background on the role women have played in the military since September 11, 2001. This article then covers briefly some of the reproductive concerns that service women have, as they often try to plan child-bearing around deployments. Austere conditions in the field can lead to gynecological infections. Mental health issues, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, are of course important. Finally, the article ends with data on the number of killed and wounded female service members. More research is needed on gender-specific epidemiology and treatment. Clinicians should remember to ask about military service for all their patients.