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2017 SESSION

17103416D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 823
Offered January 24, 2017
Designating September, in 2017 and in each succeeding year, as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Awareness Month in Virginia.
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Patrons-- Price, Aird, Bagby, Boysko, Bulova, Carr, Cole, Filler-Corn, Heretick, Herring, Hester, Hope, James, Keam, Kory, Krizek, Levine, Lindsey, Lopez, McQuinn, Minchew, Mullin, Murphy, O'Bannon, Orrock, Peace, Plum, Rasoul, Rush, Sickles, Simon, Sullivan, Torian, Toscano, Tyler, Ward and Watts; Senators: Dance, Deeds, Ebbin, Favola, Howell, Lewis, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Mason, McClellan, McPike, Peake, Surovell and Wexton
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Unanimous consent to introduce
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, polycystic ovarian syndrome is a genetic, metabolic, reproductive, and hormonal endocrine disorder that affects as many as five million women in the United States and is characterized by the presence of cysts on the ovaries, combined with the absence of ovulation; and

WHEREAS, as one of the leading causes of infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome affects an estimated one in 10 women of childbearing age, and while the cause of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is unknown, most experts believe that several factors, including genetics, could play a role; and

WHEREAS, PCOS can begin in the teenage years with symptoms such as irregular or no menstrual periods, acne, obesity, weight gain, inability to lose weight, breathing problems while sleeping, depression, oily skin, infertility, skin discolorations, high cholesterol levels, elevated blood pressure, excess or abnormal hair growth and distribution, pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis, multiple ovarian cysts, or skin tags; and

WHEREAS, women with PCOS have greater chances of developing several serious, life-threatening health conditions; women with PCOS are three times more likely to develop endometrial cancer and comprise the largest population of women at risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes; and

WHEREAS, PCOS is one of the most misunderstood and underserved health conditions, and less than 50 percent of cases are accurately diagnosed, leaving millions of women at risk; and

WHEREAS, there is no known cure for PCOS, but by making lifestyle changes and small changes to diet and exercise, women afflicted with the disease can not only feel better but improve their chances of conception by up to 10 percent; and

WHEREAS, women with PCOS demonstrate great fortitude and resilience in dealing with the symptoms and related disorders; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate September, in 2017 and in each succeeding year, as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Awareness Month in Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to the Virginia Department of Health so that members of the agency may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates post the designation of this month on the General Assembly’s website.