November 16, 2017

Warren, Perdue Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Designate September 2018 as “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month”

Warren, Perdue Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Designate September 2018 as "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month"

Text of the resolution available here (PDF)

Washington, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and David Perdue (R-Ga.) today introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing the seriousness of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and expressing support for designating September 2018 as "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month".

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, which affects between 5 and 10 million women in the United States, is the most common endocrine disorder among women and is a leading cause of infertility. Symptoms of PCOS include infertility, irregular menstrual periods, pelvic pain, ovarian cysts, weight gain, and excessive facial and body hair growth, and mental health problems. Women with PCOS often suffer from psychosocial disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, and have a high risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and fatty liver disease. There is currently no cure for PCOS, and millions of women with the syndrome are undiagnosed.

The resolution, which highlights the symptoms and prevalence of PCOS, resolves that the Senate "recognizes the seriousness" of PCOS and expresses support for increasing awareness of the disorder; improving PCOS diagnosis and treatment; and improving the quality of life of women living with PCOS. The resolution also recognizes the need for further research on PCOS and urges medical researchers and healthcare professionals to advance their understanding of the disorder.

Additional co-sponsors include Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.).

The resolution also has the support of the American Academy of Nursing, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Electrology Association, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Urogynecologic Society, The Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association, The American Liver Foundation, American Medical Women's Association, American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, American Society for Nutrition, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Black Women's Health Imperative, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Dermatology Nurses' Association, Endocrine Society, Hormone Health Network, International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses, Jewish Diabetes Association, National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, National Association for Rural Mental Health, National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, National Stroke Association, North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Obesity Action Coalition, PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association, Postpartum Health Alliance, Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Society for Pediatric Dermatology, Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (SREI), Tinina Q. Cade Foundation, and The White Dress Project.

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