Female health care during Operation Desert Storm: the Eighth Evacuation Hospital experience.

Little has been published concerning female soldiers' health care during combat. Therefore, a retrospective review of the Eighth Evacuation Hospital's gynecological records was performed while involved in Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Additionally, a health care survey was distributed to female soldiers. This review revealed that a large part of the hospital's gynecological resources during this conflict were employed treating preventable conditions. These problems could have been avoided if appropriate measures had been taken prior to deployment. It was concluded that all female soldiers should be required to undergo a gynecological health care screen prior to deployments.