New Jersey § 26:1a-131

§ 26:1a-131.

The Legislature finds and declares that: a. Menstrual disorders such as endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome affect

many women and can have a negative effect on fertility and overall maternal health; b. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services' Office

on Women's Health, endometriosis may affect more than 11 percent of American women

between the ages of 15 and 44, which is approximately 6.5 million women in the United

States alone; endometriosis may also occur in pre-menarcheal and post-menopausal

individuals; c. According to the Mayo Clinic, endometriosis is an often painful disorder in which

tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of a woman's uterus, called

the endometrium, grows outside the uterus; d. In patients who have endometriosis, the endometrial-like tissue thickens, breaks

down, and bleeds. However, since this tissue has no way to exit the body, it becomes trapped; e. When endometriosis impacts the ovaries, cysts called endometriomas may form. Surrounding tissue can become irritated, eventually developing scar tissue and adhesions

that can cause pelvic tissues and organs to stick to each other; f. The primary symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain. Although many women experience cramping during their menstrual periods, those with

endometriosis typically describe menstrual pain that is much worse than normal cramping,

which pain may increase over time; g. Symptoms of endometriosis include: painful periods known as dysmenorrhea, pain

with intercourse, pain with bowel movements or urination, excessive bleeding, infertility,

fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and nausea; h. Ovarian cancer is more common in those who have endometriosis as compared with

the general population; i. Although rare, another type of cancer called endometriosis-associated adenocarcinoma

can develop later in life in those who have had endometriosis; j. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, polycystic

ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of female infertility, affecting

as many as five million, or six to 12 percent, of women of reproductive age in the

United States; k. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a lifelong health condition that can affect the lives

of people who have it far beyond their child-bearing years and involves other serious

health complications; l . Women with PCOS are often insulin resistant, which means that their bodies can make

insulin but are unable to use it effectively, increasing their risk for Type 2 diabetes; m. Women with PCOS also have higher levels of androgens, which are hormones that can

stop eggs from being released and cause irregular periods, acne, thinning scalp hair,

and excess hair growth on the face and body; n. More than half of women with PCOS develop type 2 diabetes by age 40. Women with PCOS can also develop gestational diabetes when pregnant, which puts the

pregnancy and baby at risk and can lead to type 2 diabetes later in life for both

mother and child; o . Women with PCOS are at higher risk of heart disease, which risk increases with age; p. Women with PCOS can also experience: (1) high blood pressure, which can damage

the heart, brain, and kidneys; (2) high LDL or “bad” cholesterol and low HDL or “good”

cholesterol, which increases the risk for heart disease; (3) sleep apnea, which is

a disorder that causes breathing to stop during sleep and raises the risk for heart

disease and type 2 diabetes; and (4) stroke; q. PCOS is also linked to depression and anxiety; r. Menstrual toxic shock syndrome is a menstruation-related condition that can lead

to serious adverse health symptoms, including death if left untreated. The symptoms of menstrual toxic shock syndrome generally begin with low fever, muscle

aches, chills, fatigue, and headaches, but as the condition progresses, symptoms can

include high fever, vomiting, rashes, redness of the eyes, lips, and tongue, low blood

pressure, and mental confusion; s. Menstrual toxic shock syndrome is generally treatable with antibiotics, but treatment

relies on identifying the signs of the condition and seeking professional help. Anyone can contract menstrual toxic shock syndrome, but women using tampons and

similar devices are at a higher risk; and t. Given all of the increased health risks associated with menstrual disorders, such

as endometriosis and PCOS, as well as the risks of menstrual toxic shock syndrome,

and the number of women impacted by these conditions, it is imperative that the Department

of Health establish a public awareness campaign about the effects of menstrual disorders

and menstruation-related conditions on fertility and overall maternal health.