Access to abortion for women stationed overseas in the US military

US military women overseas have few options for abortion services. Due to federal funding bans, abortion is only available on military bases in a few exceptional cases; furthermore, even if women are able to pay for services themselves, abortion is legally restricted in many countries where troops are deployed. We analyzed data from a website that collects information on women seeking medication abortion to better understand military women's experiences with unwanted pregnancy overseas. Emails received between September 2005 and December 2009 from countries with a US military presence were reviewed; women not involved with the US military were excluded. All women gave consent for anonymous use of their data, which included information on the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy and abortion. Data were analyzed qualitatively for themes related to abortion access. 133 women provided data. Women reported many challenges in accessing abortion abroad. These included the lack of services available though military facilities, and also women's highly restricted mobility that prohibited travel elsewhere for care. Other challenges stemmed from fears of harming/losing their military careers or facing reprimand if they took leave to have the abortion in the US, even in cases of rape. Several women expressed their desire to complete their tour and felt that abortion was the only means to do so. Women in the US military stationed abroad lack access to safe abortion services, which places their health and careers in jeopardy. These women should have the same rights to abortion care as women living in the US.