National Women’s Health Week

Women often are the linchpins of their families and communities. Women are caregivers, professionals, partners, parents, household managers and more. Often, they put others’ needs before their own, sometimes neglecting their own health and wellbeing.

Women Veterans may have additional unique health needs that may require special attention. That’s where National Women’s Health Week comes in. Falling on May 12-18 this year, this week is a reminder to women and women Veterans to make their health—both physical and mental—a priority.

VA serves over 800,000 women Veterans. Women are among the fastest growing Veteran demographics, accounting for more than 30% of the increase in Veterans who served between 2014 and 2018, and the number of women using VA health services has tripled since 2000.

Assess your wellbeing

Women Veterans: Are you getting enough rest? Are you managing stress effectively? Are you attending to your medical concerns? Is it time for you to schedule a cervical cancer screening or a breast screening? Maybe you’d like to cut down on alcohol or improve your nutrition?

Use this week as a chance to refocus on self-care and make sure you are giving yourself the attention and care you deserve.

Whether you’re juggling multiple roles or adjusting to life after military service, remember to carve out time for yourself.

We can help

VA is improving services for women Veterans every day. Today, women have many options for their unique needs.

• Women Veteran Program Managers serve at VA medical centers nationwide. They are your advocates within the VA medical system and can help steer you to the services that you need.
• Women’s Health primary care providers are trained in general primary care as well as gender-specific care, such as breast health and reproductive care. You can ask to be assigned one as your primary care provider at VA. 
• Patient Aligned Care Team is a team of medical professionals who can help coordinate VA’s services and offerings to align with your personal health plans and goals. This includes primary care, preventive care, gender-specific care, birth control, family planning and preconception counseling.
• Maternity care coordinators keep in touch with you during your pregnancy and are responsible for helping you coordinate every step of your maternity care. MCCs can help you make appointments, manage claims and more. 
• Women’s Mental Health Champions are mental health professionals who have received special training in women Veterans’ mental health. 
• LGBTQ+ Veteran care coordinators are trained in LGBTQ+ Veteran health and can help LGBTQ+ Veterans coordinate their care. 

We prioritize training for our staff to ensure that women Veterans feel respected and understood when they come to us for care.

The women’s health care team at VA is dedicated to treating your unique wellbeing throughout every stage of your life, from transitioning out of active service to primary care, fertility, maternity care, menopause and more.

Things like regular checkups, screenings and immunizations can help you stay healthy. Common health conditions among women Veterans, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and some cancers, can be more easily treated when caught early. Preventive health screenings can catch these conditions before they become worse. Some concerns, like type 2 diabetes, may even be prevented with regular checks and healthy habits. 

In addition, women Veterans can be screened for toxic exposures or receive care for mental health concerns, PTSD, experiences with Military Sexual Trauma, and substance use.

Get started today

Good ways to care for your health include:

• Have regular check-ups—schedule an appointment with your health care provider.
• Be active and eat a healthy diet.
• Make your mental health a priority.

The Women Veterans Call Center provides women Veterans information about VA services and resources, benefits and eligibility. The toll-free line is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET. See our Women Veterans Call Center website or call 855-VA-WOMEN (855-829-6636). Call, chat or text are all available.

If you don’t already use VA health care, you may want to use the following online tools:

• Find out if you are eligible for VA health care.
• Enroll in VA health care if you haven’t already.
• Find your local VA and make an appointment.