War Related Illness and Injury Study Center

WOMEN CoE Clinical Services

Specialty clinical evaluations are done by clinicians at the Women’s Operational Military Exposure Network Center of Excellence for Veterans concerned about health issues related to military exposures. Participants are able to provide detailed descriptions of their symptoms and medical conditions and discuss how these may relate to their toxic exposures while deployed. Current health concerns for women Veterans who have been exposed include:

• Pelvic floor pain and dysfunction, urinary issues
• Female reproductive cancers
• Endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, pelvic inflammatory disease
• Menopause and hormone replacement therapy
• Fertility, medical issues during pregnancy, preterm birth, ectopic pregnancies

Our Clinical Services

The Women’s Health Addendum:

The Women’s Health Addendum (WHA) was created to address health concerns that are most often experienced by women and were not addressed in other intake information distributed by the WRIISCs. It covers multiple areas such as women-specific cancers, fertility, and pelvic floor concerns. The WHA is administered to women who have participated in a comprehensive evaluation at any of the three WRIISC sites and is an ongoing quality improvement project.

Neuropsychological services

Women Veterans who have concerns about military environmental exposure and are experiencing cognitive difficulties such as forgetfulness or concentration problems can benefit from neuropsychological testing services. The WOMEN CoE team offers comprehensive cognitive, psychological and functional assessments to examine the impact of toxic exposure, and to help women navigate the VA system, advocate for care, and access targeted treatments that ensure optimal brain health and quality of life.

Nutrition

Nutrition plays a key role in one’s overall health, and even more so when any compromise in body systems has occurred.  Macro- and micronutrients, along with vitamins and minerals and adequate fluid, are the critical building blocks for cells, muscles, organs, and tissues to repair.  Without adequate nutritional guidance from a registered dietitian, this process is likely hindered and possibly halted altogether.  The CA WRIISC includes evidenced-based nutrition therapy in Veteran care as well as provider education.  Improving the dietary intake of Veterans is one of the key foundations to their optimal health in all stages of life, and the CA WRIISC is dedicated to this mission. 

WOMEN CoE offers comprehensive multidisciplinary clinical evaluations to support the unique health needs of women through the CA WRIISC.