With more than 6.5 million women in the United States living with endometriosis, a disorder that affects 190 million women worldwide, U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) on March 1 unveiled a bipartisan resolution to raise awareness about the condition.
Sen. Capito signed on as the lead original cosponsor of Senate Resolution (S.Res.) 90, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to recognize the significance of endometriosis as a chronic disease affecting millions of women and designating March 2023 as National Endometriosis Awareness Month.
“It’s important to talk about endometriosis so more women can receive the correct diagnosis and proper treatment from the start,” Sen. Capito said. “I’m proud to join Sen. Duckworth in introducing this resolution that will bring more awareness and attention to endometriosis on behalf of the millions of women affected by it.”
If enacted, S.Res. 90 also would encourage the U.S. Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Defense, and Veterans Affairs to provide information on endometriosis to women, patients, and providers and to improve screening tools and treatment options, according to the text of the resolution.
“Even though one out of every 10 women of reproductive age in America suffers from endometriosis — which can be extremely painful and lead to infertility — too often this disease doesn’t receive adequate attention and research funding,” said Sen. Duckworth.
The resolution is supported by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Endometriosis Foundation, the Society for Women’s Health Research, and the Women First Research Coalition.