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[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 403 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 403

  Supporting the designation of March 2018 as Endometriosis Awareness 
                                 Month.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 22, 2017

 Mr. David Scott of Georgia submitted the following resolution; which 
          was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
  Supporting the designation of March 2018 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 endometriosis has no known cure;
Whereas the cause of endometriosis is not known, but risk factors include having 
        a mother, sister, or daughter with endometriosis, periods that started 
        at an early age, monthly cycles that are short, and menstrual cycles 
        that are heavy and last more than seven days;
Whereas 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 and 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 endometriosis is one of the three main causes of female infertility, and 
        between 30 and 50 percent of women with endometriosis experience 
        infertility;
Whereas health care providers must focus on managing the symptoms of 
        endometriosis, which may include IVF, low-dose oral contraceptives, 
        IUDs, pain killers (NSAIDs), and GnRH therapy; and
Whereas there is a need for further research and increased research funding for 
        endometriosis, which could lead to earlier detection and the discovery 
        of the cause of the disease, a reliable, less invasive way to diagnose 
        the disease, more effective ways to manage symptoms, and a cure: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) strongly supports the goals and ideas 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>
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