The goal of VA’s Million Veteran Program is to improve the future of health care for all Veterans across age, race, gender, service branch and era. Achieving that goal means researching health conditions that affect different Veteran populations—the fastest growing of which is women. Supporting women’s health research to better understand conditions that uniquely affect women Veterans—like endometriosis—is crucial to MVP’s mission and to the health and well-being of all Veterans.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when cells similar to the lining of the uterus grow outside of the uterus, potentially causing pain, infertility or difficulty getting pregnant.
Endometriosis affects up to 10% of women aged 15 to 44.
Researchers used information from MVP and other biobanks to study genetic relationships between endometriosis and certain mental health conditions. They discovered that endometriosis is associated with women’s mental health.
This research may lead to improved endometriosis care for women Veterans.
More than 100,000 women have joined MVP, like Marine Corps Veteran Kim Leone who said, “I’m proud to be in MVP because it was a very little thing to do that will make a lot of difference for folks. And I’m especially proud as a woman Veteran to know that I could help doctors down the road tailor their care for women Veterans.”
Thanks to these women, MVP can better understand how conditions like breast cancer, heart disease and osteoarthritis may affect male and female Veterans differently, positively contributing to the future of specialized health care for all.
Join MVP today
Since MVP launched in 2011, the program has been making discoveries in health care areas that matter to Veterans, such as:
Diabetes
Cancer
Tinnitus
Mental health, including PTSD and depression
Suicide risk
Thanks to the 1,000,000 Veterans who have joined MVP, we are one step closer to transforming personalized health care for all Veterans and, ultimately, all Americans.
This Women’s History Month, we especially invite all women Veterans to join MVP. Learn more or join today or call 866-441-6075 to make an appointment at a participating VA facility. You don’t need to receive your care at VA to participate.
