PCOS to PMOS: What the updated name could mean for women

A condition affecting millions of women worldwide is getting a new name—a move experts say could improve diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of the disorder.

Formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS, the condition will now be called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).

The updated name was announced during the European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague and published in the medical journal The Lancet.

Researchers involved in the change said the goal is to create a name that better reflects the condition and helps women receive more accurate care and support.

They said the previous term PCOS often caused confusion because not all women with the condition actually develop ovarian cysts.

“What we now know is that there is actually no increase in abnormal cysts on the ovary, and the diverse features of the condition were often unappreciated,” said Professor Helene Teede, director of Monash University’s Monash Centre for Health Research & Implementation.

“While international guidelines have advanced awareness and care, a name change was the next critical step towards recognition and improvement in the long-term impacts of this condition," she added.

Why the name change matters

For many women, the new name may help bring more attention to the condition’s hormonal and metabolic effects, not just its impact on the ovaries.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the condition is a common hormonal disorder that affects women during their reproductive years and may continue later in life.

Symptoms can include:

• irregular or absent menstrual cycles
• infertility
• acne
• excess hair growth
• anxiety and depression
• pregnancy complications

The condition is linked to weight gain, obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

The previous name sometimes led both patients and doctors to focus too heavily on ovarian cysts, which may delay diagnosis or overlook other symptoms.

Earlier diagnosis and better understanding

The rename could help women who experience symptoms such as irregular periods, acne, or unexplained weight gain recognize that these may be connected to the condition.

According to the WHO, around 10% to 13% of women of reproductive age are affected by PCOS.

In a 2021 study, researchers found that about half of women who met the criteria for PCOS remained undiagnosed by age 35, with clinical diagnosis often tied more closely to fertility problems than to metabolic or mental health concerns.

The update encourages healthcare providers to look beyond fertility concerns and consider the condition’s broader effects on metabolism, mental health, and long-term wellness.

The WHO works with member states and partners to increase public awareness and generate guidance to ensure health care providers can better recognize and treat the condition's diverse symptoms.

Does the new name change treatment?

While the name change from PCOS to PMOS does not immediately change existing treatments, it may affect how doctors understand and manage the condition in the long term.

According to the American Journal of Managed Care, the updated terminology reflects a broader understanding of the condition as a multisystem disorder, which may encourage more comprehensive approaches to care and management.

For now, there is still no cure for the condition, but symptoms are typically managed through medication, lifestyle changes, diet, and exercise.

The transition to the new terminology is expected to happen gradually over the next three years as medical systems, clinical guidelines, and professional training programs begin adopting the term PMOS. —CDC, GMA News