Bill Text: NJ AJR188 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates September of each year as "Menopause Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-05-08 - Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [AJR188 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-AJR188-Introduced.html
No. 188
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
220th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 22, 2022
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Designates September of each year as "Menopause Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating September of each year as "Menopause Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Menopause is the stage of life where a woman's hormone levels change and she permanently stops having menstrual periods, and is diagnosed after 12 months without a menstrual period; and
Whereas, The average age women begin menopause is 51, but it can commence anytime in a woman's 40s or 50s; and
Whereas, In 2019, there were 1.2 million women in New Jersey between 40 and 59 years of age; and
Whereas, Menopause is preceded by a two to 10 year period known as perimenopause during which the body's production of eggs, estrogen, and progesterone decreases; and
Whereas, Menopause and perimenopause are natural biological processes, however the physical and emotional symptoms that coincide with these processes may disrupt a woman's daily life; and
Whereas, Symptoms may include hot flashes, low energy, genital dryness, irritation, sexual dysfunction, urinary issues, dizziness, thinning hair, mood swings, and night sweats and other sleep problems; and
Whereas, Menopause is not a disease and does not require treatment, but there are actions that can be taken under the care of a physician that can help mitigate the symptoms; and
Whereas, Examples of treatment include: hormone therapy to help adjust the hormone changes associated with menopause; vaginal estrogen to relieve vaginal dryness and some urinary symptoms; low-dose antidepressants to decrease menopausal hot flashes; and homeopathy and herbal treatments; and
Whereas, In addition to enduring the symptoms of menopause, the process is often a shrouded subject, not discussed in families or the community, which results in women feeling alone and isolated; and
Whereas, Nationally, September is designated as "Menopause Awareness Month" by organizations throughout the United States to raise awareness on menopause; and
Whereas, "Menopause Awareness Month" is an opportunity to educate women, their families, and the clinical community regarding the health and wellness of women as they age and to draw attention to the characterization of menopause by the mass media, which often casts aging women in a negative light; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper for New Jersey to join organizations across the country by designating a special month each year to promote understanding and encourage discussion regarding menopause; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New
Jersey:
1. September of each year is designated "Menopause Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey to raise awareness of menopause and how it affects the residents of this State, and to support options available for improving the health and wellbeing of those experiencing menopause.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to issue an annual proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe "Menopause Awareness Month" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates September of each year as "Menopause Awareness Month" in New Jersey. Menopause is the stage of life where a woman's hormone levels change and she permanently stops having menstrual periods, and is diagnosed after 12 months without a menstrual period. The average age women begin menopause is 51, but it can commence anytime in a women's 40s or 50s. In 2019, there were 1.2 million women in New Jersey between 40 and 59 years of age.
Menopause and the years preceding menopause, known as perimenopause, are natural biological processes, however the physical and emotional symptoms that coincide with these processes may disrupt a woman's daily life. In addition to enduring the symptoms of menopause, the process is often a shrouded subject, not discussed in families or the community, which results in women feeling alone and isolated.
Nationally, September is designated as "Menopause Awareness Month" by organizations throughout the United States to raise awareness on menopause. It is fitting and proper for the State to join these entities to promote understanding and encourage discussion regarding menopause throughout the month of September.
