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

Summary:
This resolution 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.
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]
[H. Res. 146 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 146

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 25, 2019

Mr. David Scott of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Gallego, Mr. 
Hurd of Texas, Mr. Connolly, Ms. Stefanik, Mr. Engel, Mr. McKinley, Mr. 
   Grijalva, Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Peters, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Foster, Mr. 
Fitzpatrick, Ms. Lofgren, Miss Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto Rico, Mr. Brown 
   of Maryland, Mr. Peterson, Ms. Moore, Ms. Norton, Mr. Ted Lieu of 
California, Ms. Brownley of California, Mr. Pocan, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, 
  Mr. Raskin, Mr. Lewis, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Ms. Jackson Lee, Ms. 
  Speier, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Suozzi, Mr. Brendan F. Boyle of 
Pennsylvania, Mr. Evans, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, 
Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Pingree, Mr. Van Drew, Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire, 
  Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Cisneros, Mrs. 
 Watson Coleman, Mrs. Davis of California, Mrs. McBath, Mr. Lipinski, 
 Mr. Moulton, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Payne, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Yarmuth, 
 Mr. Huffman, Mr. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, Mr. McGovern, and 
Mrs. Beatty) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                  the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


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

Whereas polycystic ovary syndrome (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 
        5 to 10 million women in the United States are affected by the 
        condition, and prevalence estimates range from 8 to 13 percent of women 
        globally;
Whereas the most recent published data, a 2004 study, estimates the annual 
        burden of PCOS in the United States is $4.36 billion, and this figure 
        pertains to women's reproductive years alone 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 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 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, many of whom 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 have a 3 times higher risk for developing endometrial cancer 
        compared to women who do not have PCOS;
Whereas research has found genetic evidence of a causal link to depression in 
        PCOS;
Whereas research has found genetic correlations with obesity, fasting insulin, 
        type 2 diabetes, lipid levels, and coronary artery disease, indicating 
        shared genetic architecture between metabolic traits and PCOS;
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, increased 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 House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as a 
        serious disorder that impacts many aspects of health, including 
        cardiometabolic, reproductive, and mental health as well as 
        quality of life;
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of PCOS Awareness Month, 
        which are to--
                    (A) 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) improve diagnosis and treatment of the 
                disorder;
                    (C) disseminate information on PCOS diagnosis, 
                treatment, and management including prevention of 
                comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, endometrial 
                cancer, cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty 
                liver disease, and eating disorders; and
                    (D) improve 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 afflicted with PCOS residing within the United States;
            (5) urges medical researchers and health care 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 and ideals of PCOS Awareness Month.
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