Supporting the designation of March 2023 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 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 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.

Summary: This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a painful condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus.