1. Medical Support of Women in Military Environments
CAPT Mike Hughey, MC, USNR

2. Pre-deployment Planning
AMAL/Block Review
Command Pregnancy Policy
Screen personnel
Brief deploying personnel

3. Supplies: GYN
Specula
Light Source
Exam Table?
Microscope?

4. Supplies: OB
Wheel
Tape Measure
Doppler
Nitrazine paper
Bedpan

5. Supplies: Meds and More
BCPs
UTI Meds
Anti-fungal Rx
Metronizazole
UCG
Urine Dipsticks

6. Command Pregnancy Policy
Ectopic 1/100
Miscarriage 1/5
Routine Care
Environmental Hazards
Cultural Issues
Transfer Policy

7. Pre-deployment Screening
Pap
Acute/Chronic OB-GYN Issues
Contraception
Pregnancy

8. Pre-deployment Briefing
Urination
Menstruation
Bathing
Quarters
Clothing
Liberty Risks
Leadership
Host Nation
Pregnancy
STDs/Safe Sex

9. Urination Issues Unpleasant Difficult Time-consuming Dangerous
Consequently, many deployed women intentionally dehydrate, to avoid urination, but with the unintended consequences of:
Decreased Physical Performance
Decreased Mental Alertness
Increased UTIs

10. Urination Solutions Command Awareness Command Response Freshet Lady J
Urinate in Tent:
Coffee Can
Ziplock Bag

11. Menstruation Issues BCPs help: Pads or Tampons? Wet Wipes: 5-6/day
Lighten flows
Shorten flows
Less cramps
Less PMS
Pads or Tampons?
Weight
Volume
Convenience
Wicking
Personal Preference
Wet Wipes: 5-6/day

12. Bathing Bring own soap Bring own shampoo
Bring a black, nylon, one-piece bathing suit
Shower facilities may be suboptimal and available only every few days or longer

13. Quarters in the Field Mixed-gender Separate Gender Unit cohesion
Protection
Separate Gender
Privacy
Jealousy
Supervision

14. Clothing Personal Preference Cotton underwear:
Absorbs, breathes
Good for relative inactivity
Bunches into an abrasive mass during exercise
Nylon or other synthetic
Conducts moisture out to the BDUs
Remains relatively dry during vigorous workouts
Not comfortable in bivouac

15. Liberty Risks Risk of assault is significant Male Buddy Female Buddy
Appearance of inappropriate relationship
Alcohol tolerance issues
Female Buddy
Few females
Fewer of the same or similar rank
Command Decision

16. Host Nation Issues
Conform to local standards of modest behavior & appearance
Avoid being alone with host nation men, particularly in strongly male-dominated countries
Unmarried pregnancy may be a special issue

17. STDs and Safe Sex
Condoms are good protection against pregnancy, GC, chlamydia, HIV, Hep B, syphilis.
Condoms are not very good protection against herpes or HPV.
Any sexual activity that avoids contact with body fluids of either gender is safer than one that doesn’t.
Sexual abstinence during deployment is the safest.