Sexual Health Challenges for Female Soldiers in Combat or High-Risk Deployments
The military has become increasingly diverse, with women making up nearly a quarter of all active-duty members and more than one-fifth of the reserves. Women have served in combat since World War I, but they were officially allowed to serve in ground combat roles in 2016. While their inclusion in these traditionally male-dominated fields is a major achievement, it presents unique challenges that have received little attention from policy makers and researchers. One such challenge is sexual health.
Despite growing recognition of the importance of female soldiers' physical fitness and mental well-being, there are still significant barriers to their sexual health. In particular, female soldiers face obstacles to getting access to contraception, safe abortion, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) while deployed or during combat operations. This is due to both cultural attitudes about women in the military and logistical challenges associated with providing medical care in austere conditions.
Access to Contraceptives
Sexual activity among deployed troops has long been commonplace, though the rate varies by gender, rank, unit type, and location. According to one study, just under half of men and 38% of women reported having had sex at least once while deployed. The prevalence of unprotected sex is also higher among service members who report higher levels of stress or poorer sleep quality, suggesting that deployment may increase the risk of unwanted pregnancies.
Female service members face unique difficulties obtaining contraception, which is critical for ensuring reproductive autonomy and protecting against STIs. Many military bases abroad do not provide on-site birth control services, making it difficult for women to get prescriptions filled.
Some forms of birth control can interfere with certain medications or be restricted by religious beliefs, further limiting options.
Cultural stigma around discussions of sexuality can make it difficult for women to ask for help accessing contraceptives.
Safe Abortion Services
Abortion remains a highly contentious issue in the United States, but it's important to note that many states restrict access even more severely when applied to military personnel.
Texas law prohibits abortion after 20 weeks of gestation, regardless of the circumstances. If a female soldier becomes pregnant during combat operations and wants an abortion, she must fly home to obtain care, which could endanger her life and jeopardize mission readiness. This raises questions about whether the Pentagon should cover the costs of emergency travel for this purpose.
Treatment for STIs
STI rates are higher among troops than the general population due to factors such as barriers to condom use, high-risk behaviors, and frequent partner change.
Getting tested and treated for STIs while deployed presents significant challenges. Most clinics require appointments, and testing facilities may not be available in some regions where troops are stationed. In addition, the social stigma associated with sexually transmitted diseases means that service members may hesitate to seek treatment.
Fear of being discharged from the military for having an STD is a major deterrent to seeking medical attention.
Female soldiers face unique sexual health challenges due to deployment conditions and cultural attitudes towards gender roles. These include limited access to contraception, restricted abortion services, and logistical obstacles to STI treatment. Policymakers and researchers need to address these issues to ensure that all service members can protect their reproductive autonomy and stay mission-ready.
What unique sexual health challenges do female soldiers face in combat or high-risk deployments?
Female soldiers in combat and high-risk deployment face unique sexual health challenges that can affect their physical and mental well-being. One of these challenges is gender discrimination and harassment in the military environment, which makes it difficult for them to seek help for reproductive health issues and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).