PCOS officially renamed PMOS: What the major change means for millions of women

A global consensus of experts has officially renamed Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, a condition affecting over 170 million people, to better describe its wide-ranging hormonal and metabolic effects. The change, which was the result of a 14-year international effort involving 56 organisations and over 14,000 individuals, aims to end decades of confusion and misdiagnosis.

Researchers and supporters said the old name, often shortened to PCOS, was a misnomer that reduced a complex disorder to a simple misunderstanding about cysts and the ovaries. The Endocrine Society, a global group of physicians and scientists, stated this focus contributed to missed diagnoses and inadequate treatment for up to 70 per cent of those with the condition.

Why the name needed to change

The new name, Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), was chosen to more accurately reflect the multifaceted nature of the disorder. Experts say the old term was deeply misleading and created significant stigma for patients.

“The thought behind that is that one, there’s no cysts in the ovary, so it’s very confusing,” said Dr Melanie Cree, a paediatric endocrinology expert at the University of Colorado Anschutz and one of the authors of the article published in The Lancet announcing the change. What are often referred to as cysts are, in fact, arrested follicles.

“The hope was that with a more comprehensive and accurate name change, that it would start to enable and push better care,” Dr Cree added. The new name acknowledges the multiple hormonal disturbances (polyendocrine) and the inherent metabolic features like insulin resistance (metabolic) that are central to the syndrome.

Symptoms and diagnosis

According to the Cleveland Clinic, no one knows exactly what causes PMOS, but evidence suggests genetics and obesity play a role. Its symptoms can vary widely, which often makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose.

The condition is primarily associated with irregular menstrual cycles and the excess production of androgens, a group of hormones that can cause severe acne, and hair growth on the chest or face, or thinning hair on the scalp. To diagnose the condition in teenagers, Dr Cree explained, a patient must have both irregular periods and signs of high androgens, which can be confirmed through blood tests or visible symptoms.

It is also a leading cause of female infertility, as infrequent ovulation can make it difficult to conceive. While having the condition may increase the risk of pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes, experts say most people with PMOS can successfully carry a pregnancy.

A new approach to treatment

Dr Cree says the number one treatment is lifestyle changes, such as eating less processed food, exercising regularly, and getting a good night's sleep. She stressed this advice is backed by science, not judgment.

“In PMOS, there is too much of the hormone insulin in many women, and that insulin confuses the ovary to make too much testosterone. And it’s the high testosterone that is causing all the symptoms,” she explained.

Other treatments include insulin-sensitising medicines like Metformin, medications that block androgens, and hormonal birth control. However, Dr Hutto, another expert, stressed that management must be individualised to address a patient's specific symptoms and goals, whether that is focusing on fertility treatments or managing acne.

Doctors and researchers are now spreading the word about the new name through medical societies and at professional meetings. They hope the change will raise awareness about the reality of the condition and lead to more comprehensive care, research funding, and better outcomes for patients. “I’m very excited about the name change,” Dr Cree said, “as are the majority of my colleagues.”