IV
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1610
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 5, 2026
Ms. Clarke of New York (for herself, Ms. Letlow, Ms. Norton, Ms. Williams of Georgia, Ms. Strickland, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Ms. Crockett, Ms. Barragán, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Malliotakis, Ms. Sewell, Ms. Pettersen, Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, Ms. Velázquez, Ms. Chu, and Ms. Moore of Wisconsin) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the recognition of October 2026, as World Menopause Awareness Month
and for global awareness and access to care during menopausal transition and post-menopause.
Whereas, each year, October 18 marks World Menopause Day, a day when organizations and individuals around the world advocate to improve awareness of menopause and support options available for improving health and well-being;
Whereas, by 2030, the world population of menopausal and postmenopausal women is projected to increase to 1,200,000,000, with 27,000,000 new entrants each year;
Whereas, each year, women in the United States enter the menopausal transition with little guidance on what to expect before, during, and after their reproductive years;
Whereas, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, as many as 3 out of 4 women experience hot flashes, the most common menopause symptom, and other symptoms include memory loss, urinary problems, depression, and anxiety;
Whereas menopausal symptoms can be severe and affect daily activities and quality of life with hot flashes lasting an average of 7 to 9 years, with a third of women experiencing vasomotor symptoms for a decade or longer;
Whereas studies show that Black and Hispanic women may experience menopause earlier, more intense menopausal symptoms, and for a longer period of time;
Whereas as many as 40 percent of menopausal women say their symptoms interfered with their work performance or productivity weekly, and nearly 1 in 5 have left or considered leaving the workforce because of their symptoms;
Whereas menopause costs women in the United States an estimated $1,800,000,000 in lost working time per year;
Whereas, due to medical innovation, a variety of effective treatments for symptoms are available, including non-hormonal medication, hormone therapy, and low-dose antidepressants, that can help improve quality of life during perimenopause and menopause;
Whereas, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, menopause may increase the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, and stroke; and
Whereas there is an ongoing need for additional clinical research and treatment options to manage menopause symptoms: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of Representatives—
expresses support for the designation of World Menopause Awareness Month
;
recognizes the impact of menopause on women at individual and societal levels, as well as on the health and economic development of the United States;
promotes including training on menopause and treatment options in pre-service curricula for health workers;
supports women having access to appropriate health information and services to promote healthy aging and a high quality of life before, during, and after menopause;
encourages the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to—
provide information to women, patients, and health care providers with respect to menopause, including available screening tools and treatment options, with a goal of improving quality of life and health outcomes of women affected by menopause;
conduct additional research on menopause and possible clinical options; and
update information, tools, and studies currently available with respect to helping women live with menopause; and
respectfully requests that the Clerk of the House of Representatives transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.