Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a condition affecting millions of women worldwide, has officially been renamed to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS).
The new name was published in The Lancet medical journal following 14 years of global consultation involving researchers, clinicians, and more than 50 patient and professional organisations. Experts say the updated terminology better reflects the true nature of the condition, which goes far beyond the ovaries.
For years, the term PCOS led many people to believe the condition was mainly linked to ovarian cysts. However, medical professionals have long argued that the name was misleading.
According to experts, people with the condition do not actually develop harmful ovarian cysts. Instead, the ovaries may contain multiple immature follicles caused by disrupted ovulation due to hormonal imbalance.
Researchers now describe PMOS as a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder that can affect multiple systems in the body, including reproductive, skin, mental, and long-term metabolic health.
Under current diagnostic criteria, the condition is diagnosed when a patient meets at least two out of three signs:
Excess androgen hormones
Irregular menstrual cycles
Multiple follicles visible on ultrasound
Although the diagnostic process remains unchanged, the new name highlights the broader hormonal and metabolic nature of the condition.
Experts say insulin resistance plays a major role in PMOS. This occurs when the body struggles to regulate blood sugar properly, which can increase androgen hormone levels.
High androgen levels are linked to symptoms such as:
Acne
Excess facial or body hair
Scalp hair thinning
Irregular periods
The condition has also been associated with increased risks of type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, fatty liver disease, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.
Professor Helena Teede, who led the renaming initiative, said the previous term oversimplified a much more complicated disorder and contributed to confusion, delayed diagnosis, and inadequate treatment.
The meaning behind the new name reflects the science behind the condition:
P = Polyendocrine
M = Metabolic
O = Ovarian
S = Syndrome
Experts hope the shift from PCOS to PMOS will improve awareness, encourage earlier diagnosis, and help people better understand that the condition is not simply an ovary issue, but a whole-body hormonal and metabolic disorder.
