Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System

Women Veterans Monthly Newsletter
May 2024

It May Be Your Thyroid!

Women Veterans: Have you experienced a significant shift in your weight, mood, energy, temperature tolerance, periods, or skin and hair? It may be your thyroid! About 60% of people with a thyroid condition are unaware, but it’s a common issue among women.

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland [group of tissues that release hormones] found at the front base of your neck. Your thyroid makes hormones [chemicals that send messages around the body] that help to control many vital functions of your body, affecting physical energy, temperature, weight, mood, and menstrual cycle as well as several other bodily functions. When your thyroid doesn’t work properly, it can impact your entire body, but proper medication or treatment can help.

How do thyroid conditions affect women?

While thyroid conditions affect everyone, they are most common in women, especially right after pregnancy and menopause. In fact, 1 in 8 women will develop thyroid problems during their lifetime.

Your thyroid effects your menstrual cycle, so if you produce too much or too little thyroid hormone, your periods may be very light, heavy, or irregular.

When thyroid conditions affect the menstrual cycle it may impact fertility, making it harder for you to get pregnant. Thyroid issues during pregnancy can also cause health problems for the mother and the baby.

Thyroid condition symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for menopause, though you’re more likely to develop a thyroid disease after menopause. However, it’s important to know that thyroid conditions can develop at any age, even from birth, as thyroid issues can lead to early menopause (before age 40).You may be at a higher risk of developing a thyroid condition if you have a family history of thyroid disease, have another medical condition (such as diabetes), take certain medications that are high in iodine, are older than 60, or have had treatment for a past thyroid disease or cancer.

What are the common types of thyroid diseases and symptoms?

There are two common types of thyroid disease: hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid does not make enough thyroid hormones; also known as an underactive thyroid. This slows down many of your body's functions, like your metabolism. Symptoms include feeling cold, hair loss or thinning, puffy face and drier skin, slow heartbeat, joint and muscle pain, weight gain, constipation, heavier periods, depression, and fatigue or weakness.

Hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid makes more thyroid hormone than your body needs; also known as overactive thyroid. This speeds up many bodily functions, like your metabolism and heart rate. Symptoms include feeling hot and increased sweating, eye irritation or bulging, rapid heartbeat, muscle weakness, weight loss, diarrhea, lighter periods, anxiety, or trouble sleeping.

Additional thyroid-related conditions may include Thyroid Benign Nodule or Thyroid Cancer.

How do I get support if I experience symptoms?

When your thyroid doesn’t work properly, it can impact your entire body, but proper medication or treatment can help. If you have a family history of thyroid disease, notice a mass or swollen neck, or experience significant changes in your mood, weight, energy, period, temperature tolerance, or hair and skin, it’s time to make an appointment. Speak with your VA health care provider about your symptoms and start taking steps to improve the way you feel.

Visit VA Women’s Health for more information or call 1-855-VA-WOMEN to speak to a real person and get connected to care.

Suicide Prevention

Suicide has no single cause and no one approach can end it—but prevention is possible, especially when support is found before a crisis happens.

Women Veterans may have unique experiences related to military service, health and wellbeing, or trauma that can increase the risk of suicide. Some also face medical and social issues that affect relationships and quality of life. Military service can lead to readjustment issues, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trouble sleeping, or even physical injury. Additionally, reproductive health conditions that women Veterans sometimes face may take a toll on their mental health.

VA is committed to offering a growing range of resources and a network of support for all women Veterans, including those who do not, and may never, seek care within the VA health care system. Whether it's mental health care or treatment for chronic pain or other health concerns, VA can provide personalized, gender-tailored care to help women Veterans. Each VA medical center also has a Suicide Prevention Coordinator to connect women Veterans to counseling and services.

Additionally, creating a safety plan now, by identifying coping strategies and sources of support, can help give suicidal thoughts time to decrease and become more manageable in a future crisis. Download the VA Safety Plan app or create one together with your VA health care team.

The Veterans Crisis Line is free, confidential, and available 24/7. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. Veterans, family, and friends can reach out. Dial 988 and press 1, text 828255, or chat online. Visit the VA Women’s Health suicide prevention page for more resources.

Call 1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636) to speak to a real person and connect to VA women’s health care.

2nd Annual Wellness for Women Veterans & Their Families Conference

Women Veterans, Mark Your Calendars!

Location: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, OK
Date: June 12 to 13, 2024

Providers, health care professionals, Veterans, Veteran organizations, etc., can gain valuable information about the women Veteran population.

2024 Wellness for Women Veterans and Their Families online registration form

10 Women Veteran Health Care Services
That May Surprise You!

1. Women's Mental Health Services
2. Breast/Chestfeeding Supplies & Lactation Support
3. Sexual Health Evaluation & Treatment
4. Post Mastectomy Prosthetics
5. Telehealth Appointments
6. Yoga, Tai Chi, & Acupuncture
7. Recreation & Art Therapy
8. Pelvic Floor Therapy for Pain, Urinary Issues, &Constipation
9. Health Cooking Classes
10. Treatment for Sleep Issues

For questions about any of the services above, contact your primary care provider.

Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care
Women Veteran Program Manager

Michele Reeves, RN

Office: 918-577-4277
Email: Michele.Reeves@va.gov

My HealtheVet

My HealtheVet is VA's Online Personal Health Record for Veterans

Thing you can do with a MyHealtheVet account:

• Access your VA health information online at your convenience
• Communicate with your provider/nurses
• Manage appointments
• Refill prescriptions
• Send outside VA communications/images to your primary care team
• Access radiology studies and share these images with non-VA providers

How to Sign Up for a My HealtheVet Account

Contact your Primary care team and ask them to contact David Taylor via Teams instant message to be put on the wait list for a call back. You may also walk in to the Ernest Childers clinic and ask for David Taylor. This option may have longer than desired wait times as he is the only one that can assist you and may have calls going on, but he will get you taken care of!

Visit My HealtheVet

Chronic Pelvic Pain

Did you know: 30% of women Veterans experience chronic pelvic pain?

Chronic pelvic pain is pain that lasts longer than 3-6 months located below the belly button and between the hips, including the lower abdomen, pelvic area, and lower back.

Learn more: She Wears the Boots Podcast - The Importance of Pelvic Health

The appropriate treatment for your chronic pelvic pain will depend on its cause. VA offers a variety of treatment options for chronic pelvic pain including:

• Pelvic physical Therapy
• Medications to treat the specific condition
• Gyn specialty care if needed
• Surgery, if indicated
• Whole Health Practices to help with pain

Eastern Oklahoma VA
Healthy Living for Women Veterans

Be Physically Active

Physical activity is anything that gets the body moving! It can be moderate intensity, when you can talk while being active, or it can be vigorous intensity, when you can only say a few words without taking a breath. Choose activities that you enjoy. Start at a comfortable level and gradually increase the intensity. Being active is safe for almost everyone, and its health benefits outweigh the risks. If you have symptoms such as chest pain or pressure, dizziness or joint pain, or are concerned about a chronic condition, talk to your healthcare team before increasing the activity.

How much physical activity do you need?

FIT IN 50+
Get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intense aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity (or a combination of both), preferably spread throughout the week.

Move More, Sit Less
Get up and move throughout the day. Any activity is better than none. Even light-intensity activity can offset the serious health risks of being sedentary.

Add Muscle
Include moderate to high-intensity muscle-strengthening activity (like resistance or weight training) at least twice a week.

Women Veterans Health Team

Michele Reeves
Women Veterans Program Manager

Email: Michele.Reeves@va.gov
Phone: 918-577-4277

Makyla Clark
RN Navigator, Maternity Care Coordinator

Email: Makyla.Clark@va.gov
Phone: 918-577-4242