By Mary Clymer, Public Affairs Intern
The Society for Women’s Health (SWHR) was privileged to join Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY) and Congresswoman Shontel Brown (D-OH) on July 15, 2025 for a roundtable and press conference announcing the reintroduction of four bills dedicated to uterine health research, awareness, and prevention.
The legislative package contains the following bills:
- H.R.4395 – Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2025
- S.2285 – Uterine Cancer Study Act of 2025
- H.R.4392 – Uterine Fibroid Intervention and Gynecological Health Treatment (U-FIGHT) Act of 2025
- H.Res.579 – Supporting the Designation of July as Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month
Together, these bills call for actions, such as providing dedicated research dollars to expand, intensify, and coordinate uterine fibroids research and develop a uterine fibroids public education program (H.R. 4395); study and report on the relationship between hair straighteners and uterine cancer (S. 2285); and to award grants to increase the early detection and intervention for uterine fibroids (H.R. 4392), among other provisions.
Uterine fibroids, one of the most common gynecological conditions in the United States, are characterized by non-cancerous growths in and around the uterus that can cause heavy and irregular menstrual bleeding, anemia, and pelvic pain. Fibroids affect about 26 million women in the United States, ranging from ages 15-50, yet they are often underdiagnosed.
SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert, MPP, CAE, attended the morning roundtable and the press conference given SWHR’s continued efforts to address the gaps in uterine health. As Mrs. Schubert shared during the press conference:
“Less than half of a percent of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding goes to uterine fibroids, and this is something that impacts most women. It wasn’t until 1993 that women were required to be included in clinical research, and it wasn’t until 2016 until female mice had to be included in clinical research. We are already so far behind, and this is a very important topic that requires more education, awareness, and solutions. We must know why —and we have to be able to treat and ultimately prevent this condition.”
The press conference also featured remarks from supporting members of Congress, including Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL), and Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD). Bicameral power was paired with strong voices from other advocates, including The White Dress Project, The Fibroid Foundation, and Academy Award-winning actor Lupita Nyong’o, who shared her own experience living with fibroids and the impact that the lack of research and education has had on her. (Read more about her story and efforts from USA Today.)
SWHR has long sought to improve women’s health and quality of life life outcomes through its science, policy, and education programs to ensure women get the care they deserve, including in the uterine health space. SWHR’s work in uterine health has led to resources, including toolkits, fact sheets, blogs, and webinars.
SWHR thanks the congressional champions who introduced this legislative package as well as its colleagues working in partnership to advance these bills and encourages members of the 119th Congress to pass this legislation to improve women’s health.
View the recording of the press event here.