title: Gynecologic disorders diagnosed during deployment to Southwest/Central Asia, active component females, U.S. Armed Forces, 2008-2013.
abstract: Service women in the U.S. Armed Forces face unique challenges that may lead to or exacerbate gynecologic disorders - particularly during deployment. This report documented that approximately one in 10 military women who served in Southwest/Central Asia were diagnosed with a gynecologic disorder at least once during deployment. In addition, gynecologic disorders accounted for approximately one of every 20 medical evacuations of female service members from the war zone. A majority of clinically significant gynecologic disorder cases were attributable to irregular menstruation/bleeding or unspecified inflammation or pain of the female genital organs. Incidence rates of gynecologic disorder diagnoses were higher among black, non-Hispanic service women, among younger women, and among those in the Army and in motor transport and communications/intelligence occupations. Approximately 50% of gynecologic disorder cases had received gynecologic care within 6 months prior to deployment and nearly 90% had received care within 2 years of deployment. Despite pre-deployment care, it is apparent from this report that service women need continuous access to gynecologic care during deployment, particularly if conditions during deployment lead to and exacerbate gynecologic disorders.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology