How Menopause Affects Women Who Have Served

Menopause is a natural life stage, and it may never have occurred to you that military service could have an impact on how a woman experiences menopause. In fact, the full impact isn’t well understood. A 2024 survey of 21 relevant studies concluded that: 

There is a significant lack of understanding regarding how reproductive aging and its related neuroendocrine changes impact the brain to influence PTSD and depression symptoms related to trauma exposure. This lack of basic understanding impedes the ability to identify, assess, and treat PTSD and depressive symptoms in trauma-exposed women most effectively, and mitigate the long-term consequences of these behavioral health symptoms on morbidity and mortality in aging women

In other words, female veterans may not be getting complete, appropriate care for symptoms they experience during menopause and other conditions that may be aggravated by those hormonal changes. These same blind spots may present a challenge for women seeking VA disability benefits.  

The Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act

In 2025, a bill was introduced to try to fill those gaps in knowledge and make better medical care and support available to servicemembers and veterans, including applicants for and recipients of VA disability benefits. 

If passed, the bill would require evaluation of existing knowledge and research, and ongoing research to determine where there are gaps in knowledge, research, and treatment options. The bill would also require assessment of how combat service impacts women’s reproductive aging, including certain toxic exposures such as burn pits and PFAS chemicals. Then, the bill would require the development of strategies to fill those gaps. 

However, the bill was introduced nearly a year ago and has seen little activity. Separately, the VA and Department of Defense are reportedly working on developing clinical practice guidelines for menopause care. 

What We Know about Veterans and Menopause

A 2024 study of postmenopausal women veterans found connections between PTSD and menopause related health, though the sample was small and some symptoms appeared more correlated than others–in particular, urinary and vasomotor symptoms.

In another study, 66% of women veterans aged 45-64 reported having experienced some type of military sexual trauma (MST). These experiences included sexual assault and/or sexual harassment during military service. These women were more likely to experience vasomotor symptoms, vaginal symptoms, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and probable PTSD. In women veterans who had experienced sexual assault, there was also a link to moderate to severe insomnia. 

A third study with a somewhat larger pool suggested that traumatic and environmental exposures during military service put women at risk for early menopause. In particular, Gulf War illness and PTSD were associated with early menopause, defined as before age 45. 

Clearly, there is much data still to be gathered and analyzed.

How Can the VA Help with Menopause Issues? 

Given the early stages of the research, the relatively small samples studied to date, and the range of possible correlations, women veterans may face challenges when pursuing both VA disability for related conditions and medical care (whether from a VA facility or their own private physicians). 

If you are entitled to VA healthcare, that includes care for menopause-related symptoms and conditions. The first step toward ensuring proper care is to keep up with the research, ask questions of your physicians, and don’t allow your medical providers to dismiss your concerns. When you have medical issues that are not well understood, being able and willing to advocate for yourself is crucial. 

VA Disability and Menopause

Menopause itself is a natural condition, and is currently not a basis for receiving VA disability benefits and the associated access to medical care. The one exception may be premature menopause that can be linked to a toxic exposure during military service. 

However, menopause-related symptoms can often be tied to service-connected conditions, such as PTSD and Gulf War illness. In addition, women veterans who are suffering from service-related complications of menopause often have other service-connected conditions that may be the basis for VA disability benefits and–if the rating is high enough–access to priority healthcare. 

If you are filing a claim for VA disability, it is also important to ensure that you are including all service-connected and secondary-connected conditions in your claim. To ensure that you are prepared: 

• Make sure that you report all medical issues to your treating physician, even if they do not seem serious or in need of intervention at the moment – your doctor may see patterns and connections you don’t, and can also build a record of your medical issues
• Be sure you are working with a qualified and trusted medical doctor – there is a whole industry built around selling “magical” solutions to the challenges of menopause
• Keep follow-up appointments, undergo recommended testing and keep up with treatment – consistent medical care can improve both your medical condition and the record you will need if you file a VA disability claim
• Seek out help from an experienced VA disability benefits advocate – a seasoned advocate can help ensure that you are including all viable claims and that you have the right documentation to pursue your claim

Get the Help You Need with Your VA Disability Claim

Poorly understood menopause-related issues can be particularly challenging, but the truth is that any VA disability claim can be complicated and daunting. Simple mistakes like misunderstanding a question on a form, skipping a piece of information, or not having the right medical documentation can derail a claim. 

The best way to ensure that you are submitting the clearest, most complete, best-documented VA disability claim possible is to work with an experienced disability benefits advocate from the very beginning. The strength and 

Don’t worry, though. If you’ve already filed your disability claim and have been denied, you haven’t received ratings for all of your service-connected conditions, or you believe your disability rating is too low, we can still help. Our advocates are experienced with all stages of the claim and appeals processes. 

To learn more about how we can help, call us today at 855-855-8992 or fill out our contact form HERE for a FREE case evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is menopause considered a VA disability?

Menopause itself is not currently recognized as a VA disability. However, premature menopause linked to toxic exposures during military service may qualify, and menopause-related symptoms can often be tied to service-connected conditions.

Can menopause symptoms be service-connected for VA disability?

Yes. Symptoms such as anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and hot flashes may be connected to service-related conditions like PTSD or Gulf War illness, which can strengthen a VA disability claim.

How does military service affect menopause in women veterans?

Research suggests that factors like PTSD, military sexual trauma (MST), and environmental exposures may increase the severity of menopause symptoms or contribute to early menopause in women veterans.

Does the VA cover treatment for menopause symptoms?

Yes. Veterans who qualify for VA healthcare can receive treatment for menopause-related symptoms, including both physical and mental health care. It’s important to document symptoms and advocate for proper treatment.

How can I strengthen my VA disability claim for menopause-related conditions?

To build a strong claim, document all symptoms, seek consistent medical care, and include any service-connected or secondary conditions. Working with an experienced advocate like Veterans Help Group can help ensure your claim is complete and properly supported.

Disabled Veteran Resources:

• FREE Downloadable VA Disability Benefit Guidebooks
• Veteran Social Security Disability Qualification Questionnaire
• Most Commonly Approved VA Disability Claims
• Veterans Disability Benefits Calculator