H.Res. 403 — Introduced in House

IV 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 403 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 22, 2017Mr. David Scott of Georgia submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Supporting the designation of March 2018 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 endometriosis has no known cure; Whereas the cause of endometriosis is not known, but risk factors include having a mother, sister, or daughter with endometriosis, periods that started at an early age, monthly cycles that are short, and menstrual cycles that are heavy and last more than seven days; Whereas 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 and 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 endometriosis is one of the three main causes of female infertility, and between 30 and 50 percent of women with endometriosis experience infertility; Whereas health care providers must focus on managing the symptoms of endometriosis, which may include IVF, low-dose oral contraceptives, IUDs, pain killers (NSAIDs), and GnRH therapy; and Whereas there is a need for further research and increased research funding for endometriosis, which could lead to earlier detection and the discovery of the cause of the disease, a reliable, less invasive way to diagnose the disease, more effective ways to manage symptoms, and a cure: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) strongly supports the goals and ideas 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.