Blog
image credit: Image by tammyatWTI from Pixabay

Happy Veteran’s Day!

Today, we’d like to highlight an important women’s health issue for females serving in the military - a higher risk of developing both vaginal and urinary tract infections while deployed.

Females in the Military

According to the Defense Department, women now make up 20 percent of the Air Force, 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army and almost 9 percent of the Marine Corps. As such a large population, increased awareness and advocacy is needed to ensure that our female troops are getting the best medical care as possible.

Vaginal and Urinary Tract Infections Affect Quality of Life

If you’ve ever had a vaginal or urinary tract infection, you’ll know that the symptoms can be miserable and affect one’s quality of life, ability to concentrate, and their general comfort. If left untreated, vaginal and urinary tract infections can contribute to long-term negative effects on gynecologic and urologic health, including pelvic floor health.

Vaginal Infection

30.1% of surveyed females in the Army and Navy experienced vaginal infections while on active duty (Lowe, 2003). Symptoms experienced included vaginal itching, heavier than usual vaginal discharge, and thick white or thin grayish vaginal discharge. These symptoms are commonly associated with three common vaginal infections (candida, bacterial, and trichomonas vaginitis).

Urinary Tract Infection

18.4% of surveyed females in the Army and Navy reported having urinary tract infections while on active duty (Lowe, 2003). Symptoms experienced included urinary frequency, urgency and pain during urination.

Behaviors to avoid while on duty

The 2003 Lowe study listed several behaviors that women on active duty engage in that increase risk of infection. If at all possible, avoid the following behaviors while on duty:

  • Holding urine: Urinate every 2-4 hours
  • Avoiding liquids: Drink 64 oz of water a day
  • Keeping tampons in too long: Change tampons every 4-6 hours
  • Wearing nylon/latex undergarments: Wear breathable cotton underwear when possible
  • Using feminine hygiene sprays and douching: Avoid using scented items on your vulva, and your vagina is a "self cleaning oven"- you do not need to use douches to clean internally.

Other Factors That Increase Risk

Lowe (2003) also listed the following environmental/situational factors that can contribute to increased risk of infection:

  • Unavailable or inadequate health care resources on the field
  • No laundry facilities: Try to keep underwear clean by changing daily and washing as frequently as possible
  • Limited or no hand washing facilities
  • Increased stress: Practice deep breathing and other stress reduction methods whenever possible
  • Not enough sleep: Prioritize catching up on rest when possible
  • Extreme temperatures
  • Taking antibiotics
  • Taking birth control pills
  • Having sexual intercourse: Make sure you urinate after having sex

What You Can Do Before Deployment

  • Be aware of behaviors and environmental facts that increase risk of infection
  • Educate service members and leaders about hygiene in the field
  • Put together a self-care kit with hygiene and treatment products
    • Hand soap
    • Hand sanitizer
    • Unscented baby wipes
    • Laundry soap
    • Cotton underwear
    • Yeast infection suppository or cream for self treatment
    • UTI treatment/prevention items like cranberry pills and probiotics- consult with a doctor before you go to determine which supplements are appropriate

It’s important for us to take care of our pelvic health, especially for females on active duty.

Resources

Lowe NK, Ryan-Wenger NA: Military women's risk factors for and symptoms of genitourinary infections during deployment. Mil Med 168(7):569, 2003.

What Our Patients Have to Say

Prev
Next

Testimonial by Jamie M.

I have been going to see Heather for a while now, and I can't tell you enough how much she has improved my quality of life. Heather specializes in issues like pelvic floor, but I see her for other orthopedic issues.

I have a lot of chronic joint pain and dysfunction issues (back, hips, neck) that require that have ongoing physical therapy maintenance. The effects of my problem joints/areas overlap and interconnect with each other in complex ways, so helping me requires really having a complete understanding of the entire skeletal and muscular system. Pain does not always appear where the problem actually is, the human body is a twisty, many-layered puzzle. I have an exercise program I do at home and I am very functional, but there are just something things I need a PT to help me out with.

Read more: Testimonial by Jamie M.

Testimonial by Julie T.

Femina PT (née Fusion Wellness & Physical Therapy) has honestly changed my life. Before receiving treatment at Femina, I was going doctor to doctor to try and find the answer to my pelvic pain. It has taken me YEARS to find someone that can help fix this. It wasn't until my gynecologist recommended your clinic that I finally felt relief. My pelvic pain is almost gone, and granted I still have a lot more to work on with Laureen (my PT), my original problem is nearly cured. I am so grateful to her.

What is even better is she gave me practical exercises to do at home that were not tedious and provided instant (and lasting) relief. Although I mainly work with Laureen, my interaction with the owner (Heather) has been great. She is very generous, kind, and committed to her business.

It hurts to know there are women out there suffering who will never know or have the opportunity to work with women like Laureen and Heather because this issue is hardly talked about and this field is so rare. I hope more doctors and physical therapists see the value in this work and can relieve more woman of their pain.

-- Julie T., 12/4/16 via Yelp!

Testimonial by Ann V.

I wish i could give this place 10 stars!! 
I have been suffering from vaginismus for 5 years and never found the cure to it. I had seen an ob/gyn and he diagnosed me with vaginismus and told me i needed a surgery to cure my condition, which i refused to do. He also referred me to a PT that he works with, i had given them multiple calls and they never responded back to me, so i started searching yelp for another PT. I am SO HAPPY I found Heather's office! I was working with Laureen, and with her guidance and techniques i was able to be cured from vaginismus in only 2 1/2 short months!!! I couldn't believe how quickly their program worked for me! I am forever grateful and thankful from Heather, and Laureen! They are the absolute best at what they do!

Read more: Testimonial by Ann V.

Testimonial by R.S.

I wanted to thank you so much for helping me get through something I thought I may never be able to. We have achieved pain-free intercourse and this has really solidified our marriage. We are so grateful to you for all the work you do! Thank you!!

-- R.S.

Testimonial by Mary L.

I started seeing Heather to treat my Interstitial Cystitis in November 2016. At this time, I was extremely miserable, in constant pain, and felt as though no one was listening or understood what was going on with my body. I have just finished my last appointment and I can honestly say that my life has completely changed for the better because of Heather and her team of PTs! I live almost completely pain free, and when I do have flare ups, I am able to treat them at home on my own. I am so grateful that this office was recommended to me a honestly cannot recommend them enough!

Read more: Testimonial by Mary L.

Testimonial by A.M.

Months after giving birth, it was difficult for me to go from a sitting or lying position up to a full standing position without feeling that I had to remain hunched over until a bit of time had passed to get fully upright. However, after taking Heather’s course, I learned exercises to get my body back to normal. She also showed me correct ways to lift and carry my son as well as put him in/take him out of the carseat and stroller. This class was really beneficial and Heather is a wonderful teacher who made me feel very comfortable.

-- A.M.

Our
Locations

Beverly Hills:

9012 Burton Way
Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Telephone: (310) 871-9554

The Beverly Hills office is convenient to Mid-Wilshire, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Beverlywood, Korea Town, Downtown LA, Culver City, Century City, Santa Monica and Malibu.

Hours:

Monday 12:00-5:00
Tuesday 7:00-6:00
Wednesday CALL
Thursday 2:00-6:00
Friday 7:00-6:00

Pasadena:

350 S. Lake Avenue #220
Pasadena, Ca 91101

Telephone: (818) 873-1403

Our Pasadena location is convenient to Glendale, Montrose, Burbank, Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, and Eagle Rock.

Hours:

Monday 7:00-6:00
Tuesday 7:00-4:00
Wednesday CALL
Thursday 7:00-4:00
Friday CALL

Sherman Oaks:

13425 Ventura Blvd. Suite 200
Sherman Oaks, California 91423

Telephone: (818) 877-6910

The Sherman Oaks office is adjacent to Studio City and serves the Bel Air, Brentwood, West LA, Mulholland, Beverly Hills, Encino, Calabasas and San Fernando Valley area.

Hours:

Monday 7:30-6:00
Tuesday 7:00-6:00
Wednesday 7:00-6:00
Thursday 8:00-6:00
Friday 7:00-6:00