Women Veterans' Reproductive and Sexual Health Care Needs Changing Rapidly

Strategic Insights -

Women veterans are becoming the fastest-growing demographic of new users of Veterans Health Administration (VA) services, with over half a million using VA care in 2018. To meet their reproductive and sexual health (RSH) needs, the VA has implemented policies and programs to provide comprehensive care. A recent study aimed to describe changes in the prevalence of RSH diagnosis categories among women veterans using VA care in 2010 and 2018.

Key Takeaways:

  • Women veterans using VA for RSH care increased by 61% between 2010 (n = 317,122) and 2018 (n = 520,179).
  • Prevalence of common RSH diagnoses, such as urinary conditions and reproductive organ conditions, remained consistent across fiscal years.
  • Conversely, there were larger than expected increases in diagnoses of female infertility (SIR = 1.71) and sexual dysfunction (SIR = 1.51).
  • The study emphasizes the importance of understanding changing needs for RSH care in women veterans to evaluate the impact of programs and policies designed to improve access to care.
  • The research highlighted the need for the VA to build capacity to provide RSH care to meet the increasing demand from women veterans.

Statistics:

  • Women veterans using VA for RSH care increased by 61% between 2010 and 2018.
  • The prevalence of female infertility diagnoses increased by 71% (SIR = 1.71; 95% CI [1.70, 1.76]).
  • The prevalence of sexual dysfunction diagnoses increased by 51% (SIR = 1.51; 95% CI [1.47, 1.54]).
  • The number of women veterans using VA care increased from 317,122 in 2010 to 520,179 in 2018.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Data from Veterans Affairs Medical Center Advance Knowledge in Veterans Health (Changes in Reproductive and Sexual Health Diagnoses of Women Veterans Using Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Between FY2010 and FY2018). Health & Medicine Week. September 19, 2025; p 20.
  • Friedman, J. K., et al. Changes in Reproductive and Sexual Health Diagnoses of Women Veterans Using Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Between FY2010 and FY2018. Womens Health Issues. 2025.