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)]
<DOC>
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.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S5580-5581)
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