• Health, Performance and Wellbeing

Women's Health

We’re immensely proud of the contribution female service people make to Army life. That’s why we’re funding research to better understand servicewomen’s health issues, provide advice on optimal training and nutrition, and to help women make informed choices about health issues.

Specific Women's Health Issues

While women’s health issues are not unique to women serving in the Army, the advice we provide to servicewomen considers the nature of their job and the unique environments they work in. For this reason, if a servicewoman experiences any health problem, she will be provided care by specialised military medical consultants with a deep undertanding of the unique nature of military life.

Servicewomen in basic training also receive specific health education related to issues like managing periods and cervical cancer screening. Advice about contraceptive choices for servicewomen is also available, including advice on the potential effects of hormones on their period patterns and the risk of service-related illness and injuries for their contraceptive of choice.

Read more on contraception options

Pregnancy

The Army provides specialised advice to servicewomen about issues related to pregnancy, including antenatal care and returning to work after having a baby.

Women's Cancer Screening

It’s vital that service people participate in all recommended routine health screening. Servicewomen are encouraged to take part in all of the following screening services:

  • Cervical cancer screening every three years between the ages of 25-49, and every five years from 50-64.
  • Breast cancer screening – every five years between the ages of 50-70.

The nature of Army life means that our people move around a lot. That’s why we have systems in place to make sure that all service people are regularly reminded of upcoming health screenings and encouraged and supported to attend.

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