---
title: "Supporting the designation of March 2023 as Endometriosis Awareness Month."
identifier: "118-HRES-217"
congress: 118
bill_number: 217
bill_type: "HRES"
version_code: "ih"
version_type: "Introduced in House"
bill_url: "https://chamberzero.com/congresses/118/bills/hres/217"
source: "https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/217"
site: "Chamber Zero"
site_url: "https://chamberzero.com"
rendered_at: "2026-06-03T22:56:00.245Z"
---
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 the cause of endometriosis is not known, but risk factors include—(1)having a mother, sister, or daughter with endometriosis;(2)menstrual cycles that started at an early age;(3)menstrual cycles that are short; and(4)periods that are heavy and last more than 7 days;Whereas, for many women, 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, 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 approximately 75 percent of women with endometriosis experience a misdiagnosis;Whereas the management of symptoms of endometriosis may include low-dose oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), painkillers, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist therapy;Whereas endometriosis is associated with increased health care costs and poses a substantial burden to patients in the health care system;Whereas, in the United States, the estimated average direct health care cost associated with endometriosis per patient is more than $13,000 per year;Whereas 40 percent of women with endometriosis report impaired career growth due to endometriosis, and approximately 50 percent of women with endometriosis experience a decreased ability to work;Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the average number of "bed days" for patients with endometriosis was 18 days per year;Whereas women with endometriosis can lose 11 hours per workweek through lost productivity;Whereas the physical and psychological impact of endometriosis affects all domains of life, including social life, relationships, and work;Whereas medical societies and patient groups have expressed the need for greater public attention and updated resources targeted to public education about this unmet health need for women;Whereas there is a need for more research and updated guidelines to treat endometriosis;Whereas there is an ongoing need for additional clinical research and treatment options to manage this debilitating disease; andWhereas there is no known cure for endometriosis: Now, therefore, be itThat the House of Representatives—
  - (1) strongly supports the goals and ideals 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.