[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 495 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 495

  Recognizing the seriousness of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and 
 expressing support for the designation of the month of September 2017 
                      as ``PCOS Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 28, 2017

 Mr. David Scott of Georgia (for himself, Ms. Eshoo, Ms. Jackson Lee, 
    Miss Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto Rico, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. 
 Marshall, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mr. Evans, Mr. Larsen of Washington, 
 Ms. Norton, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Butterfield, Mrs. Watson Coleman, 
Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mr. 
   Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Ms. Fudge, and Ms. Speier) 
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 2017 
                      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;
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, heart disease (the leading cause of death 
        among women), and have a 4 to 7 times higher risk of heart attack 
        compared to women 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 with PCOS are overweight or obese;
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 
        United States healthcare system is over $4.3 billion a year during 
        patients' reproductive years, not including the costs associated with 
        the treatment of any comorbidities, including diabetes, 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 
        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 the seriousness of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 
        (PCOS);
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of PCOS Awareness Month, 
        which are to--
                    (A) increase awareness of, and education about, the 
                disorder among the general public, women, girls, and 
                healthcare professionals;
                    (B) improve diagnosis and treatment of the 
                disorder;
                    (C) disseminate information on diagnosis and 
                treatment options; 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 for 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 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 and ideals of PCOS Awareness Month.
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