Title: A resolution recognizing the seriousness of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and expressing support for the designation of September 2019 as "PCOS Awareness Month".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for the designation of September 2019 as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month. PCOS is caused by a hormone imbalance. Symptoms can include infertility, weight gain, excess hair growth, and acne.
It recognizes the need for further research, improved treatment and care options, and a cure for PCOS.
It also acknowledges the struggles affecting all women and girls afflicted with PCOS.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 317 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 317

  Recognizing the seriousness of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 
  expressing support for the designation of September 2019 as ``PCOS 
                           Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 18, 2019

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing the seriousness of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 
  expressing support for the designation of September 2019 as ``PCOS 
                           Awareness Month''.

Whereas polycystic ovary syndrome (in this preamble referred to 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 the condition;
Whereas, according to a 2004 study, the annual burden of PCOS in the United 
        States is an estimated $4,360,000,000, and this figure pertains to only 
        the reproductive years of women and does not consider the cost of other 
        comorbidities, including obstetrical complications, or the cost of 
        metabolic morbidities in post-menopause or adolescence;
Whereas PCOS can affect girls at 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 of 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, and many have 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, and heart disease (the leading cause of death 
        among women);
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 their risk for developing endometrial cancer is 3 times 
        higher than women who do not have PCOS;
Whereas research has found genetic evidence of a causal link between depression 
        and PCOS;
Whereas research has indicated PCOS shares a genetic architecture with metabolic 
        traits, as evidenced by genetic correlations between PCOS and obesity, 
        fasting insulin, type 2 diabetes, lipid levels, and coronary artery 
        disease;
Whereas adolescents with PCOS are at markedly increased risk for type 2 
        diabetes, fatty liver disease, and heart disease;
Whereas PCOS negatively alters metabolic function independent of, but 
        exacerbated by, an increased body mass index (BMI);
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 cause of PCOS is unknown, but researchers have found strong links to 
        a genetic predisposition and significant insulin resistance, which 
        affects up to 70 percent of women with PCOS; and
Whereas there is no known cure for PCOS: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes polycystic ovary syndrome (in this 
        resolution referred to as ``PCOS'') as a serious disorder that 
        impacts many aspects of health, including cardiometabolic, 
        reproductive, and mental health, and quality of life;
            (2) expresses support for the designation of September 2019 
        as ``PCOS Awareness Month'';
            (3) supports the goals and ideals of PCOS Awareness Month, 
        which are--
                    (A) to increase awareness of, and education about, 
                PCOS and its connection to comorbidities, such as type 
                2 diabetes, endometrial cancer, cardiovascular disease, 
                nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and mental health 
                disorders, among the general public, women, girls, and 
                health care professionals;
                    (B) to improve diagnosis and treatment of PCOS;
                    (C) to disseminate information on diagnosis, 
                treatment, and management of PCOS, including prevention 
                of comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, endometrial 
                cancer, cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty 
                liver disease, and eating disorders; and
                    (D) to improve quality of life and outcomes for 
                women and girls with PCOS;
            (4) recognizes the need for further research, improved 
        treatment and care options, and a cure for PCOS;
            (5) acknowledges the struggles affecting all women and 
        girls afflicted with PCOS in the United States;
            (6) urges medical researchers and health care professionals 
        to advance their understanding of PCOS to improve research, 
        diagnosis, and treatment of PCOS for women and girls; and
            (7) encourages States, territories, and localities to 
        support the goals and ideals of PCOS Awareness Month.
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