Health and SoldiersWomen are becoming a rapidly growing segment in every branch of the military. According to statistical data, women represent 20% of new hires (Health Services Research & Development, 2014). Female Soldiers will soon become a larger consumer of VA health care in the field and at home as more women are deployed to combat situations. The first concern I encountered was chafing, blisters and sores because protective clothing and uniforms did not fit female soldiers properly. but none of the sources went into detail about it or mentioned what was being done to alleviate this problem. Every resource I've found online suggests that female soldiers are more likely to develop dehydration and urinary/vaginal infections because they don't want to ask to stop and urinate due to difficulty removing equipment. As USA TODAY's Gregg Zoroya points out, devices have been discovered to help female soldiers stand and urinate. These devices, however, are not sufficiently brought to the attention of those entering combat (Zoroya, 2012). Holding in urine can produce urinary infections and downtime. These devices would help reduce the time it takes to stop and make asking to stop and urinate more comfortable. Reproductive health is a concern, bacterial infections can develop due to lack of sufficient hygiene in combat situations. These infections not only produce downtime, but can cause damage to the reproductive system. Although birth control can help levitate menstrual flow and discomfort, it is not mentioned before implementation. The limitations on access to birth control are starkly seen when this point is made; female soldiers have a higher rate of unwanted pregnancies...... middle of paper ......iers.dodlive.mil/tag/womens-health/Health Services Research & Development. (January 20, 2014). Retrieved from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/for_managers/stories/womens_health.cfmMedical Press. (2012q, November 14). Researcher: Military should reevaluate reproductive health care for women. Retrieved from the medical press website: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-11-military-reassess-reproductive-health-women.htmlStanifer, C. (2012, May 12). PTSD diagnosis rates increase among female troops. Retrieved from Armytimes: http://www.armytimes.com/article/20120312/NEWS/203120320/PTSD-diagnosis-rates-rise-among-female-troopsZoroya, G. (2012, 6 18). Army Task Force: Female troops need better health care. Retrieved from USA Today: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/military/story/2012-06-06/female-soldiers-need-better-health-care/55626156/1