Women Veteran’s Program Manager Welcome: 

Greetings! Our Women’s Health Team at the Madison VA is excited to be offering this new platform to our Women Veterans.  This newsletter will provide you with information on new and upcoming events, programs, available services, groups, and much more!   We look forward to spotlighting VA healthcare benefits, events, and overall health and wellness for you! 

Women Veterans continue to be the fastest growing population within the VA and we are working hard to expand our team and services to meet the unique needs of our Women Veterans.  The Madison VA Women’s Health Team has grown to comprise several women’s health specific positions including care coordinators, mental health champions, a peer support specialist, a whole health coach specifically for women, and more!  Additionally, we hope to continue to grow to meet the needs of our women Veterans.

This past month of March was Women’s History Month.  It is important to highlight the incredible role that women have played in the Military throughout all eras.  We would like to thank and recognize all women Veterans, celebrate the incredible contributions and achievements of women in the military, and acknowledge the many sacrifices you have made to serve others.

We hope that our new Women’s Health Newsletter can be an additional source of information for you on the various resources, programs, and benefits you have earned.  The Women’s Health Newsletter will be sent out electronically at quarterly intervals and we would love for you to subscribe!

- Tami Towne, Acting Women Veteran’s Program Manager

Spotlight: Infertility and Mental Health

Did you know Veteran infertility rates (16-18%) are higher than those in the general population (12-14%)? Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular sexual intercourse without contraception, or more than 6 months for women over the age of 35. Women Veterans diagnosed with infertility are more likely to have a mental health diagnosis, a history of Military Sexual Trauma (MST), and be an ethnic minority, young, or obese. Several studies document an association between lifetime sexual assault and/or MST and infertility in women. Active mental health symptoms stemming from this trauma can indirectly interfere with conceiving. 

Common causes of infertility include problems with ovulation; advanced maternal age (35 years or older); anatomical abnormalities of the cervix, fallopian tubes and uterus; male factor involvement; and genetic abnormalities. In approximately 10% of couples trying to get pregnant, all of the above factors are normal and there is no easily identifiable cause for infertility. When attempting pregnancy is unsuccessful, it is normal to experience a wide range of feelings.

Infertility can be experienced as a threat to a central life goal, a low-control situation, or an invisible loss leading to emotional reactions such as self-blame, depression, tension between partners, and social isolation. It can also reduce a sense of self-efficacy and trust in one’s own body. Going through infertility treatments are at times stressful, increasing the risks of mental health symptom exacerbation and/or recurrence, if left untreated. Some common diagnoses seen in infertility patients include major depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and eating disorders. Therefore, it’s important that care providers ensure mental health conditions are detected, diagnosed, and treated.

The VA offers all Veterans, regardless of service connection, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or marital status, infertility benefits as part of the medical benefits package as outlined in Directive 1332. Approval for IVF benefits under Directive 1334 is contingent on specific criteria being met and completion of the application process.  Not only do VA Infertility and IVF benefits cover consultation, evaluation, and treatment, these benefits also cover genetic testing & counseling, up to six Intra-Uterine Inseminations (IUI), and if eligible, up to a lifetime maximum of 6- attempts to achieve 3- completed IVF cycles. 

If you are a Veteran struggling with mental health concerns, the VA has a variety of mental health providers here to help. There is also the Veteran’s Crisis Hotline that provides 24/7 confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. That number is 1-800-273-8255.  For more information, please contact the Women’s Health Infertility/IVF Care Coordinator at ext. 10924.

Women Veterans Peer

Support Services Available

Did you know there is peer support available to Women Veterans?  Did you know the Madison VA recently hired a Peer Support Specialist specifically for Women Veterans?  Click here to meet her.

Special Event: Women Veterans Honor Flight

The Badger Honor Flight is a nonprofit organization that provides a free trip for military heroes to visit monuments and other destinations in Washington D.C.  Of the 3,453 veterans who have flown with Badger Honor Flight so far, only 61 were women.

Although Badger Honor Flight typically offers trips to both men and women, this year, they have organized a flight for women Veterans only - The Alice Ladwig Female Veteran Flight. On May 14^th, female veterans will be able to enjoy a custom-tailored itinerary that will take these heroes to monuments, memorials, and special events specific to their time of service. IF YOU ARE NOT YET SIGNED UP AND ARE AN ELIGIBLE FEMALE VETERAN PLEASE DO SO ASAP! Eligibility factors for this all-female flight departing from Madison, WI are the same as any Badger Honor Flight (detailed below):

WW II: December 7, 1941- December 31, 1946  
Korean War: June 25, 1950 – January 31, 1955  
Vietnam War: February 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975

If you served ANYWHERE at ANY TIME, in ANY BRANCH, and in ANY COMPONENT (Active, Reserves, or National Guard) during the above dates, you are considered a Veteran of that war/conflict. In addition, if you have never flown on any Honor Flight Network flight, you are eligible for this flight. While we normally only recruit from our 11 county areas, this flight is open to any female veteran who served during the dates listed above. This flight will depart from the Dane County Airport in Madison, WI.

https://www.badgerhonorflight.org/app…/veteran-applications/