PCOS renamed PMOS as doctors hope it will improve care for millions
An international consortium of doctors and researchers has renamed polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) in a paper published in *The Lancet*, citing misdiagnosis and stigma linked to the outdated name. The new name better reflects the condition’s systemic hormonal and metabolic effects, which include increased risks of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and aims to improve research funding and patient care globally.
An international group of doctors and researchers announced Tuesday that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been officially renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) to address long-standing issues in diagnosis and treatment. The change, published in *The Lancet*, stems from a yearslong effort involving 56 organizations and surveys of thousands of patients and health professionals, who argued the previous name inaccurately focused on ovarian cysts—a feature many patients lack—while overlooking broader metabolic and hormonal dysfunction. PMOS affects 10 to 13 percent of reproductive-age women worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, but its systemic impact often goes unrecognized. The condition includes symptoms like irregular periods, pelvic pain, excess hair, acne, and higher risks of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Helena Teede, an endocrinologist at Monash University in Australia and lead author of the study, explained that medical education has incorrectly confined PMOS to gynecology, preventing early screening for related metabolic disorders. The renaming aims to shift research and funding priorities, as current classifications often limit grants to reproductive health institutes with smaller budgets. Co-author Dr. Melanie Cree, a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of Colorado Anschutz, noted that broader funding—such as for diabetes or heart disease research—could become accessible under the new name. Experts hope this change will also reduce stigma and improve care by reframing PMOS as a multisystem condition rather than one tied solely to reproductive health. Dr. Christine Carlan Greves, an OB-GYN at Orlando Health Women’s Institute, highlighted that many patients misinterpret PCOS as a cancer risk due to confusion about cysts. The consortium’s goal is to broaden awareness beyond reproductive symptoms, emphasizing that PMOS impacts overall health and longevity. Over the next three years, the group plans to implement the new terminology globally, encouraging medical professionals and health agencies to adopt PMOS in guidelines and research.
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