Title: A resolution recognizing the seriousness of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and expressing support for the designation of the month of September 2018 as "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month. (PCOS is caused by a hormone imbalance. Symptoms can include infertility, weight gain, excess hair growth, and acne.)
Recognizes the need for further research, improved treatment and care options, and a cure for PCOS.
Acknowledges the struggles affecting all women and girls afflicted with PCOS.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 336 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 336

Recognizing the seriousness of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and expressing 
     support for the designation of the month of September 2018 as 
             ``Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 16, 2017

 Ms. Warren (for herself, Mr. Perdue, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. 
   Booker, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr. Isakson) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
                          Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the seriousness of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and expressing 
     support for the designation of the month of September 2018 as 
             ``Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month''.

Whereas Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (referred to in this preamble as ``PCOS'') is 
        a common health problem among women and girls involving a hormonal 
        imbalance;
Whereas there is no universal definition of PCOS, but researchers estimate that 
        between 5,000,000 and 10,000,000 women in the United States are affected 
        by PCOS;
Whereas PCOS can affect women from the onset of puberty and throughout the 
        remainder of their lives;
Whereas the symptoms of PCOS include infertility, irregular or absent menstrual 
        periods, acne, weight gain, thinning scalp hair, excessive facial and 
        body hair growth, numerous small ovarian cysts, pelvic pain, and mental 
        health problems;
Whereas women with PCOS have higher rates of psychosocial disorders, including 
        depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders, and are at 
        greater risk for suicide;
Whereas adolescents with PCOS often are not diagnosed;
Whereas PCOS causes metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance, which can lead 
        to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obstructive sleep apnea, 
        nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and endometrial cancer at a young 
        adult age;
Whereas PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility;
Whereas PCOS in pregnancy is associated with increased risk of gestational 
        diabetes, preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, preterm 
        delivery, cesarean delivery, miscarriage, and fetal and infant death;
Whereas women with PCOS are at increased risk of developing high blood pressure, 
        high cholesterol, stroke, heart disease--the leading cause of death 
        among women--and have a 4 to 7 times higher risk of experiencing a heart 
        attack compared to women of the same age who do not have PCOS;
Whereas women with PCOS have a more than 50 percent chance of developing type 2 
        diabetes or prediabetes before the age of 40;
Whereas women with PCOS may be at a higher risk for breast cancer and ovarian 
        cancer, and have a 3 times higher risk for developing endometrial 
        cancer, compared to women who do not have PCOS;
Whereas up to 80 percent of women in the United States with PCOS are overweight 
        or have obesity;
Whereas an estimated 50 percent of women with PCOS are undiagnosed, and many 
        remain undiagnosed until they experience fertility difficulties or 
        develop type 2 diabetes or other cardiometabolic disorders;
Whereas the costs involved with the diagnosis and management of PCOS to the 
        healthcare system of the United States is over $4,300,000,000 per year 
        during the reproductive years of patients;
Whereas that amount does not include the costs associated with the treatment of 
        comorbidities, including high blood pressure, sleep apnea, nonalcoholic 
        fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and cancer;
Whereas the cause of PCOS is unknown, but researchers have found strong links to 
        significant insulin resistance, which affects up to 70 percent of women 
        with PCOS, and genetic predisposition; and
Whereas there is no known cure for PCOS: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the seriousness of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 
        (referred to in this resolving clause as ``PCOS'');
            (2) supports the goals of PCOS Awareness Month--
                    (A) to increase awareness of, and education about, 
                PCOS among the general public, women, girls, and 
                healthcare professionals;
                    (B) to improve diagnosis and treatment of PCOS;
                    (C) to disseminate information on diagnosis and 
                treatment options for PCOS; and
                    (D) to improve the quality of life and outcomes for 
                women and girls with PCOS;
            (3) recognizes the need for further research, improved 
        treatment and care options, and a cure for PCOS;
            (4) acknowledges the struggles affecting all women and 
        girls residing within the United States who are afflicted with 
        PCOS;
            (5) urges medical researchers and healthcare professionals 
        to advance their understanding of PCOS in order to research, 
        diagnose, and provide assistance to women and girls with PCOS; 
        and
            (6) encourages States, territories, and localities to 
        support the goals of PCOS Awareness Month.
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