[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 384 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 384

  Recognizing the seriousness of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 
  expressing support for the designation of September 2023 as ``PCOS 
                           Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

           September 28 (legislative day, September 22), 2023

Ms. Warren (for herself, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Padilla, Mr. 
 Van Hollen, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Cardin, and Mrs. Feinstein) 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 2023 as ``PCOS 
                           Awareness Month''.

Whereas polycystic ovary syndrome (referred to in this preamble as ``PCOS'') is 
        a common health problem among women and girls involving a hormonal 
        imbalance;
Whereas there is no universal definition of PCOS, but the Centers for Disease 
        Control and Prevention estimates that between 6 and 12 percent of women 
        in the United States are affected by the condition;
Whereas, according to a 2023 study, the annual burden of PCOS in the United 
        States is estimated to be in excess of $15,000,000,000, and this 
        estimate does not include--

    (1) the cost of all comorbidities in post-menopause or adolescence; or

    (2) indirect and intangible costs related to the disorder;

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 mental health 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, heart disease, and endometrial cancer at a young adult 
        age;
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 PCOS is one of the most common causes 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 PCOS may be associated with increased risk for breast cancer and ovarian 
        cancer, and the risk of developing endometrial cancer is 4 times higher 
        than for women who do not have PCOS;
Whereas research has found an association 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 PCOS negatively alters metabolic function independent of, but 
        exacerbated by, an increased body mass index (commonly referred to as 
        ``BMI'');
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 (referred to in 
        this resolution 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 2023 
        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 who have 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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