[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 175 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 175
Recognizing the seriousness of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and
expressing support for the designation of the month of September as
``PCOS Awareness Month''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 27, 2025
Mr. David Scott of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Ms. Wasserman
Schultz, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Bacon, Ms. Barragan, Mr. Boyle of
Pennsylvania, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, Ms. Chu, Mr. Cohen, Mrs. Watson
Coleman, Mr. Connolly, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, Ms.
DelBene, Mr. Foster, Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Larson of
Connecticut, Ms. McBride, Ms. McCollum, Mrs. McIver, Ms. Meng, Ms.
Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Mullin, Ms. Norton, Mr. Pocan, Ms. Stansbury,
Ms. Sewell, Ms. Titus, Ms. Velazquez, Ms. Clarke of New York, and Mr.
Tonko) 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 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
5,000,000 to 10,000,000 women in the United States are affected by the
condition, and prevalence estimates range from 8 to 13 percent of women
globally;
Whereas the most recent published data, a 2004 study, estimates the annual
burden of PCOS in the United States is $4,360,000,000, and this figure
pertains to women's reproductive years alone 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 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, 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 have a 3 times higher risk for developing endometrial cancer
compared to women who do not have PCOS;
Whereas research has found genetic evidence of a causal link to depression in
PCOS;
Whereas research has found genetic correlations with obesity, fasting insulin,
type 2 diabetes, lipid levels, and coronary artery disease, indicating
shared genetic architecture between metabolic traits and PCOS;
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, increased 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 House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as a
serious disorder that impacts many aspects of health, including
cardiometabolic, reproductive, and mental health as well as
quality of life;
(2) supports the goals and ideals of PCOS Awareness Month,
which are to--
(A) 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) improve diagnosis and treatment of the
disorder;
(C) disseminate information on PCOS diagnosis,
treatment, and management including prevention of
comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, endometrial
cancer, cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty
liver disease, and eating disorders; 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 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 health care 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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