MICHIGAN SENATE
Senate Resolution No. 143
Offered by Senators Anthony, Geiss, Moss and Santana
A RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE OCTOBER 2024 AS UTERINE FIBROIDS AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas or myomas, are non-cancerous growths that form in or around the
uterus or pelvic cavity that can lead to significant pelvic pain, reproductive dysfunction, abnormal uterine bleeding,
miscarriages, and infertility; and
WHEREAS, Uterine fibroids can vary in number, size, and severity depending on the location and will sometimes lead to
the distortion of the inside and outside of the uterus, or in some cases, can cause extreme pain when a fibroid outgrows its
blood supply and starts to die, ultimately leading to more serious health complications; and
WHEREAS, The pain, discomfort, stress, and other physical and emotional symptoms of living with fibroids may interfere
with a woman’s quality of life, affecting their personal and professional life, as well as their overall health and well-being; and
WHEREAS, Uterine fibroids are one of the most common medical conditions among women, affecting an estimated
26 million women in the United States during their reproductive years, with the likelihood of developing the condition
increasing with age; and
WHEREAS, Despite the prevalence of uterine fibroids, statistics on this condition are often underestimated, as many
women remain undiagnosed or do not seek medical care for their symptoms. This is due to limited knowledge regarding
fibroids and normal menstruation that may lead to a distorted view of what is normal with regard to uterine bleeding; and
WHEREAS, Uterine fibroids disproportionately impact women of color, as Black women are diagnosed with fibroids roughly
three times as frequently as Caucasian women, with women of color being more prone to develop the condition earlier in life
and also tend to experience larger and more numerous fibroids that cause more severe symptoms; and
WHEREAS, The diagnosis of fibroids starts with detection during a routine pelvic exam, but can lead to more complex
testing, including a pelvic ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hysterosalpingography, or a hysteroscopy; and
WHEREAS, A woman’s fertility can be affected by uterine fibroids in a variety of ways, including the possibility of the
fibroids growing and blocking the uterus or fallopian tubes, making it harder to become pregnant. Other negative impacts
include miscarriage, abnormal attachment of the placenta, increased likelihood of delivery by cesarean section, and postpartum
hemorrhage; and
WHEREAS, Treatments for uterine fibroids range from medicinal to surgical approaches, depending on the severity of the
case, symptoms, location and size of the fibroids, age, medical history, and a woman’s health goals. Medicinal approaches
include anti-inf lammatory painkillers and hormonal treatments like oral contraceptive pills or progesterone-containing
agents. Surgical approaches include a myomectomy, a procedure during which the fibroids are removed but the uterus stays
intact to preserve a women’s fertility; and
WHEREAS, A hysterectomy, or removal of the entire uterus, is among the most common surgical treatments for uterine
fibroids. Fibroids are the number one reason for hysterectomies in the United States, which are major surgeries that can be
more extensive depending on the size of the uterine fibroids; and
WHEREAS, Uterine fibroids were estimated to cost the United States $5.9 to $34.4 billion annually with an estimated
annual lost work cost of $1.55 to $17.2 billion annually, due to the absenteeism and short-term disability among women
ages 25-54; and
WHEREAS, Public awareness and education about uterine fibroids is critical to increase knowledge about this condition
and improve prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment methods; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the members of this legislative body recognize October 2024 as Uterine Fibroids
Awareness Month. We recognize the disparities in incidence rates for Black and Hispanic uterine fibroid patients and urge
greater research, data collection, treatment, and care options for uterine fibroids.
Adopted by the Senate, October 8, 2024.
Secretary of the Senate