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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1418 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1418

  Supporting the designation of March 2024 as Endometriosis Awareness 
                                 Month.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            August 30, 2024

   Mr. David Scott of Georgia (for himself, Mrs. Gonzalez-Colon, Ms. 
 Williams of Georgia, Ms. Chu, Ms. Clarke of New York, Ms. Norton, and 
 Ms. Wasserman Schultz) submitted the following resolution; which was 
            referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
  Supporting the designation of March 2024 as Endometriosis Awareness 
                                 Month.

Whereas endometriosis is a disease in which the type of tissue that normally 
        grows in the uterus (the endometrium) also grows outside of the uterus;
Whereas endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases in women, 
        and occurs in 1 in 10 women of reproductive age;
Whereas the cause of endometriosis is not known, but risk factors include--

    (1) having a mother, sister, or daughter with endometriosis;

    (2) menstrual cycles that started at an early age;

    (3) menstrual cycles that are short; and

    (4) periods that are heavy and last more than 7 days;

Whereas, for many women, the only way currently available to be certain of an 
        endometriosis diagnosis is to have a surgical procedure known as a 
        laparoscopy;
Whereas endometriosis primarily affects women in their 30s and 40s, but can 
        affect any woman who menstruates;
Whereas women experience a delay from three to eleven years between the first 
        symptoms of pain and the final endometriosis diagnosis, which can lead 
        to lower quality of life and high medical costs;
Whereas for many girls and women, endometriosis is a lifelong chronic disease 
        that can affect relationships, school, work, fertility, and daily life;
Whereas the primary symptoms of endometriosis include pain and infertility, and 
        many with endometriosis live with debilitating, chronic pain;
Whereas approximately 75 percent of women with endometriosis experience a 
        misdiagnosis;
Whereas the management of symptoms of endometriosis may include low-dose oral 
        contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), painkillers, including 
        nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and gonadotropin-
        releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist therapy;
Whereas endometriosis is associated with increased health care costs and poses a 
        substantial burden to patients in the health care system;
Whereas, in the United States, the estimated average direct health care cost 
        associated with endometriosis per patient is more than $13,000 per year;
Whereas 40 percent of women with endometriosis report impaired career growth due 
        to endometriosis, and approximately 50 percent of women with 
        endometriosis experience a decreased ability to work;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the average 
        number of ``bed days'' for patients with endometriosis was 18 days per 
        year;
Whereas women with endometriosis can lose 11 hours per workweek through lost 
        productivity;
Whereas the physical and psychological impact of endometriosis affects all 
        domains of life, including social life, relationships, and work;
Whereas medical societies and patient groups have expressed the need for greater 
        public attention and updated resources targeted to public education 
        about this unmet health need for women;
Whereas there is a need for more research and updated guidelines to treat 
        endometriosis;
Whereas there is an ongoing need for additional clinical research and treatment 
        options to manage this debilitating disease; and
Whereas there is no known cure for endometriosis: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) strongly supports the goals and ideals of Endometriosis 
        Awareness Month;
            (2) recognizes the need for early detection and treatment 
        of endometriosis, increased education for health care 
        providers, and more culturally competent care;
            (3) remains committed to supporting and funding 
        endometriosis research for more effective treatments, 
        increasing fertility, and, ultimately, a cure; and
            (4) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
        the month with appropriate awareness and educational 
        activities.
                                 <all>
```