Prosthetic options for women Veterans

Women Veterans deserve the best prosthetic and sensory aids designed to fit their lifestyle and body based on their unique health care needs.

VA offers comprehensive and advanced prosthetic devices, sensory aids and rehabilitation services. We know that size and appearance matter. We’re further enhancing options so you can choose items that meet your personal style and body type.

“Prosthetic” means any device that replaces loss of a body part or function.

Our gender specific options:

• Maternity items: VA supports soon-to-be mothers with a wide range of essentials like nursing bras, breast pumps and even support belts. Your Maternity Care Coordinator can help you get the items you need.
• Post-mastectomy items: Navigate the emotional and physical challenges of breast cancer recovery with our offerings, including breast prosthesis, bathing suits, surgical implants and more.
• Wigs: Hair loss can be an incredibly stressful experience for women. If you have alopecia or you have recently undergone chemotherapy, you may be eligible to receive wigs through VA health care. Your VA health care team can help you decide whether a wig could be beneficial, especially with your mental health.
• Pelvic floor physical therapy (PT) equipment and devices: Find relief from menopause or other health conditions with items such as vaginal dilators or other pelvic floor PT equipment and devices. Don’t be shy about asking your VA health care team for help.
• Long-acting reversible contraceptives: Access a variety of birth control options, including contraceptive implants or intrauterine devices (or IUDs).

Outside of these gender-specific examples, VA provides many options for prosthetic and sensory aids, ranging anywhere from mobility aids, hearing aids, glasses, communication or assistive devices, custom limbs, diabetic shoes and orthotic inserts, recreational and rehab equipment, adaptive equipment and much more.

You may also be eligible for rehabilitation services and treatments, including sports programs, creative arts and physical therapy through VA’s Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services.

Accessing Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service

To be eligible, you must be enrolled in VA health care and have a medical need or referral from a provider for a prosthetic service or device. Additional eligibility criteria may apply for certain programs.

The best place to start is with your VA health care team or primary care provider. Once they determine the items or devices that can support your treatment plan, they will connect you to VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aid Service. You can also contact the Women Veterans Program Manager at your nearest VA medical center to discuss your eligibility and options and they can help coordinate your care. To learn more about what VA can offer, visit the VA Office of Women’s Health Prosthetics page or call 1-855-VA-WOMEN to speak with a real person and get connected to care. You can also visit the VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service.