S. 1320: Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act

This bill, titled the Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act, aims to direct the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to enhance research focused on menopause, perimenopause, and mid-life health among women who are members of the Armed Forces or veterans. The key components of the bill include:

Definitions

• Covered Provider: Health care providers employed by the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Menopause: The life stage marking the end of menstrual periods and a woman’s ability to conceive, which occurs naturally as a part of aging.
• Perimenopause: The transitional period leading up to menopause when hormone levels fluctuate.
• Postmenopausal: The period after a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 months, during which she is at higher risk for certain health issues.
• Mid-life: The stage in a woman's life that typically includes the menopausal transition, which can start around age 35 and last until approximately age 65.

Evaluation of Research

The bill mandates the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to assess:

• The findings from completed research and ongoing studies about menopause and mid-life health among military women and veterans.
• Identify knowledge gaps related to treatments for menopause symptoms, including both hormone and non-hormone options.
• The impact of military service on the health of women during the perimenopause and menopause stages.
• How combat roles may affect menopausal symptoms, considering exposure to harmful substances.
• The effect of menopause on the mental health of women in the military or veterans.
• Training resources available for health care providers regarding mid-life women's health care.
• The accessibility of treatments for women experiencing menopause-related symptoms.

Report and Strategic Plan

Within 180 days of the bill's enactment, the Secretaries are required to submit a report to Congress that includes:

• Findings from their evaluations.
• Recommendations for improving training resources for health care providers.
• A strategic plan to address identified research gaps and recommend topics for further studies.

Collaboration with Existing Efforts

The legislation stipulates that the efforts by the Secretaries should complement rather than duplicate existing information-sharing initiatives conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Sense of Congress

The bill expresses a belief that the Secretaries should continually conduct relevant research related to menopause and mid-life health issues impacting military women and veterans.

Relevant Companies

None found.