Sexual health is an important part of a woman’s overall well-being. For many women Veterans, concerns related to intimacy, desire or physical comfort may feel difficult to talk about. You are not alone. These concerns are common, valid and treatable. VA is committed to providing safe, respectful and personalized care that supports every part of your health, including your sexual health.
Many factors can affect sexual well-being. These may include hormonal changes, medications, chronic pain, trauma, mobility challenges, emotional health or body image concerns. No matter what you are experiencing, VA providers are here to help with care tailored specifically for women Veterans.
Sexual health concerns are common and treatable
It is not unusual for women to notice changes in sexual desire or function. These concerns can happen at any point in life and may be related to age, menopause, injury, stress or past trauma. The important thing to remember is that support is available.
Common concerns include:
- Low or no sexual desire.
- Difficulty becoming aroused.
- Inability to orgasm.
- Pain during sex.
- Vaginal dryness.
- Lack of sexual pleasure or satisfaction.
- Pelvic floor muscle problems.
- Anxiety or trauma responses during intimacy.
- Side effects from medications.
- Body image issues that affect confidence.
Whole-person care for your sexual health
As a woman Veteran, your experiences and health needs are unique. VA takes a whole-person approach to sexual health, with providers who understand how military service can impact your well-being. We work with you to explore the root causes of your concerns, whether physical, hormonal, emotional, or related to medications, and offer care options that are tailored to your goals and comfort
Here are some of the services available to support your sexual health:
- Hormonal medications: Includes treatments like estrogen therapy that relieve menopause-related symptoms, such as dryness, irritation and discomfort during sex.
- Non-hormonal medications: Offers options to increase sexual desire, improve arousal and ease vaginal dryness without using hormones.
- Sexual health devices: Includes tools such as vaginal dilators or the EROS clitoral therapy device to reduce pain and improve arousal. These are especially helpful for women recovering from trauma, surgery or radiation.
- Gynecologic care: You have access to providers who specialize in women’s reproductive and sexual health, and they understand the unique needs of women Veterans.
- Pelvic floor physical therapy: Helps strengthen pelvic muscles to reduce pain and improve comfort and function during intimacy.
- Mental health support: Includes couples counseling or therapy to address concerns such as PTSD, depression, anxiety or military sexual trauma that may affect sexual well-being.
- Relationship and couples counseling: VA offers services to help improve communication, intimacy and connection with your partner, supporting your emotional and sexual health together.
Support for your relationships and emotional well-being
Relationships can be a vital source of connection and strength, but they can also be affected by stress, trauma or changes in health. VA offers support to help women Veterans strengthen their relationships, whether with a partner, family member or close friend.
If you’re navigating challenges related to intimacy, communication, trust or emotional closeness, VA provides counseling services, couples therapy and mental health resources designed with your unique experiences in mind.
Start with a conversation: Your VA provider can guide your next steps
If you are experiencing concerns about your sexual health, a good place to begin is by talking with your VA primary care provider. They can help you understand your options and connect you with the right services and specialists.
Every woman Veteran deserves care that honors your full well-being, including your sexual health.
Support and resources just for you
- Women Veterans Call Center: Call or text 1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636) to speak with trained representatives who can help you access services and resources, many of whom are women Veterans themselves.
- VA Women’s Health website: Learn more about available sexual health services and additional resources.
You don’t have to navigate this alone
Taking care of your sexual health is a vital part of your overall wellness. Whether you are managing discomfort or searching for answers, VA is here to support you with expert care and understanding. You deserve to feel heard, supported and empowered in every part of your health journey.
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Richmond VA has a women’s center but they didn’t have enough providers. I spoke to my primary physician in Charlottesville about hormone testing and administration along with getting a prescription for estrogen cream for vaginal dryness due to menopause. I was told that maybe difficult to get. And i think my physician is wonderful.
Unfortunately, this article depicts what is NOT available for women veterans. If it does, which locations? I ended up going to a private clinic with several offices in the South called Optimal Bio. They do a full blood panel and check hormone levels. Patient fills out questionnaire. They put the info and there’s an algorithm that provides what amount of each hormone is deficient. Btw, they use pellets. No pills, creams, or injections. They test both women and men.
We Need this for Male veterans also !
The women aren’t the only ones who have sexual health problems
The VA does not offer testing for hormone levels. They will give you estrogen. Estrogen only works when it is given with testosterone and progesterone. Our women’s health program is shit. It’s better than nothing but I’m 100 percent certain that if we were men we would have the testing and medications we need. I know for a fact that the VA has male testosterone. Why do we not have female testosterone and progesterone? Most importantly why do we not have the testing available to us? On top of that you all are taking away healthcare (abortion) from veterans. This is a disgrace. We get treated like dogs. I see the care that the men get and I’m telling you we get treated completely different. It’s bullshit and personally I am sick of it. I have to spend money that I do not have to get help for my hormones. If I were a man this would never be allowed to happen.
My civilian Gynecologist told me that taking Estrogen without the proper comb8nationvof testosterone and progesterone will increase risk of cancer.
What about for men also. Thanks to OUR GOVERNMENT AND AGENT ORANGE MY WIFE AND I HAVEN’T MADE LOVE OR IN OTHER WORDS ( HAD SEX ) IN YEARS BUT OUR GOVERNMENT AND THE V A DON’T THINK EITHER OF US HAS SUFFERED ENOUGH TO GIVE US A DISABILITY RATING AND THAT REALLY SUCKS BECAUSE OUR GOVERNMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT , NOT THE VIET CONG AND BY THE WAY THE DEMOCRATS WERE IN POWER WHEN THEY APPROVED THE USE OF AGENT ORANGE AND THEN LIED ABOUT IT FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND THOUSANDS OF DEATHS TO THE PEOPLE FOUGHT FOR AMERICA.