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Women’s Healthcare in the Deployed Environment
Anytime you prepare for a medical visit, it’s important for you to carefully consider what questions you need to ask your provider in advance. This is especially important in the deployed environment, where time is significantly constrained and you have only a few minutes to explain your symptoms and concerns. This communication tip sheet provides advice on how to effectively communicate your needs and get the answers you need.
It is important for you to continue to receive routine health screenings while you are deployed. See the attached information sheet for a list of important screening tests for women. Talk to your provider to determine which test you need based on your risk factors. Recommended Screening Tests for Women 
New recommendations for Pap testing were recently released and we are awaiting the release of formal screening guidance for uniformed personnel. Please check back soon for updates!
Injury Prevention
The physical requirements of being a military Service member naturally carry with them a degree of injury risk. Differences in bone mass and physical stature may attribute to increased risk for injury in female Service members. The following information can help to avoid injury and maintain your physical readiness.
General Safety Guidance - Army Safety Center
Hearing Protection - Combat Arms Earplugs
Injury Prevention - Injury Prevention Resources (PHC)
Weather Safety - Heat Injury Prevention, Cold Injury Prevention
Women’s Military Self Diagnosis Kits (WMSD)
WMSDs provide an easily accessible method for self-diagnosis of common gynecologic problems in order to increase the female Service member’s ability to practice self-care in generating and operating environments. The kits are designed to decrease the need for medical appointments for common women’s health issues and will decrease time away from the unit. Please check back soon for more information on product descriptions and ordering information!
Bacterial Vaginosis
Urinary Tract Infections
Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (non-government)
Nutrition
Eating a balanced diet on a regular basis and maintaining a healthy weight are critical to ensuring your mission readiness. The following links will provide you with the nutritional information you need to make healthy eating choices.
BMI Calculator (non-government)
Eating Disorders
Healthy Hydration Fact Sheet
National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements (Free Mobile App)
DHSS Overweight, Obesity & Weight Loss Fact Sheet
Public Health Command Nutrition for Women Page
Periodic Health Assessments (PHA)
The PHA is a preventive screening tool designed to improve individual medical readiness and health status reporting. It is required for all military Service members regardless of component. Currently the PHA is a two part process and is an annual requirement; the first portion is done through AKO and is accessible through the “My Medical Readiness” tab (www.us.army.mil - AKO, password required). To complete part two of the assessment, you will need to schedule an appointment with your provider.
Please check back PHA updates; the tool is currently undergoing revision and new guidance will be posted here as soon as it is available.
Personal Hygiene
Personal hygiene is the practice of keeping the body well-groomed and clean. Requirements for maintaining hygiene are somewhat different for women and men. Women's personal hygiene is more complex in that special care must be taken to prevent problems associated with the menstrual period, urinary tract infections and yeast infections. The following information provides female-specific information to help you maintain optimal cleanliness.
Douching
Feminine Hygiene Tips for Young Adults (non-government)
Oral Hygiene (non-government)
Proper Hand Washing
Physical Fitness
Fitness is important for everyone but it’s especially important for military service members. In addition to expectations that service members meet the physical demands of military service, physical fitness should also be pursued and maintained for the health benefits that come along with being fit. The following links provide comprehensive a wide variety of health fitness information.
ACSM New Exercise Guidelines (2011) (non-government)
Physical Fitness Requirements for Professional Military Education
Physical Fitness & Training (PHC)
US Army Physical Readiness Training iTunes App (non-government)
Self Care Charts
Please visit the Self Care Charts page (PHC) to access a wide variety of symptom evaluation charts.
The charts include a brief introduction to each symptom along with a list of questions to help you decide whether to: