[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 217 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 217

  Supporting the designation of March 2023 as Endometriosis Awareness 
                                 Month.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 9, 2023

   Mr. David Scott of Georgia (for himself, Mrs. Gonzalez-Colon, Ms. 
Williams of Georgia, Ms. Norton, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Lois Frankel 
 of Florida, Ms. Chu, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Panetta, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. Bishop 
   of Georgia, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Mr. Peters, Ms. Stevens, Ms. 
Velazquez, Ms. Jackson Lee, and Mr. Espaillat) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Supporting the designation of March 2023 as Endometriosis Awareness 
                                 Month.

Whereas endometriosis is a disease in which the type of tissue that normally 
        grows in the uterus (the endometrium) also grows outside of the uterus;
Whereas endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases in women, 
        and occurs in 1 in 10 women of reproductive age;
Whereas the cause of endometriosis is not known, but risk factors include--

    (1) having a mother, sister, or daughter with endometriosis;

    (2) menstrual cycles that started at an early age;

    (3) menstrual cycles that are short; and

    (4) periods that are heavy and last more than 7 days;

Whereas, for many women, the only way currently available to be certain of an 
        endometriosis diagnosis is to have a surgical procedure known as a 
        laparoscopy;
Whereas endometriosis primarily affects women in their 30s and 40s, but can 
        affect any woman who menstruates;
Whereas women experience a delay from three to eleven years between the first 
        symptoms of pain and the final endometriosis diagnosis, which can lead 
        to lower quality of life and high medical costs;
Whereas for many girls and women, endometriosis is a lifelong chronic disease 
        that can affect relationships, school, work, fertility, and daily life;
Whereas the primary symptoms of endometriosis include pain and infertility, and 
        many with endometriosis live with debilitating, chronic pain;
Whereas approximately 75 percent of women with endometriosis experience a 
        misdiagnosis;
Whereas the management of symptoms of endometriosis may include low-dose oral 
        contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), painkillers, including 
        nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and gonadotropin-
        releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist therapy;
Whereas endometriosis is associated with increased health care costs and poses a 
        substantial burden to patients in the health care system;
Whereas, in the United States, the estimated average direct health care cost 
        associated with endometriosis per patient is more than $13,000 per year;
Whereas 40 percent of women with endometriosis report impaired career growth due 
        to endometriosis, and approximately 50 percent of women with 
        endometriosis experience a decreased ability to work;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the average 
        number of ``bed days'' for patients with endometriosis was 18 days per 
        year;
Whereas women with endometriosis can lose 11 hours per workweek through lost 
        productivity;
Whereas the physical and psychological impact of endometriosis affects all 
        domains of life, including social life, relationships, and work;
Whereas medical societies and patient groups have expressed the need for greater 
        public attention and updated resources targeted to public education 
        about this unmet health need for women;
Whereas there is a need for more research and updated guidelines to treat 
        endometriosis;
Whereas there is an ongoing need for additional clinical research and treatment 
        options to manage this debilitating disease; and
Whereas there is no known cure for endometriosis: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) strongly supports the goals and ideals of Endometriosis 
        Awareness Month;
            (2) recognizes the need for early detection and treatment 
        of endometriosis, increased education for health care 
        providers, and more culturally competent care;
            (3) remains committed to supporting and funding 
        endometriosis research for more effective treatments, 
        increasing fertility, and, ultimately, a cure; and
            (4) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
        the month with appropriate awareness and educational 
        activities.
                                 <all>