Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Reproductive Health Outcomes Among Women Veterans: A Research Note

Abstract

There are a growing number of U. S. women veterans. The goal of this study was to examine the frequency of reproductive health conditions, as well as racial/ethnic disparities within reproductive health concerns, among a sample of women veterans who were referred by their primary care providers for a psychiatric evaluation. Cross-sectional data were collected from 701 women veterans in a Women’s Health Clinic at a VA Medical Center. The most commonly reported reproductive health conditions were dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Other reproductive health conditions reported by women veterans included endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and osteoporosis. Black women veterans had significantly higher rates of endometriosis compared with the other racial/ethnic groups. Prevalence of PCOS, dyspareunia, osteoporosis, STIs, pelvic pain, perinatal loss, and infertility treatment did not differ across race/ethnicity. Health care providers working with women veterans should engage in regular screening of reproductive health conditions for women across all demographic groups.