Renaming PCOS to PMOS: Experts tell us everything you need to know

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is now known as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS); a name which more accurately describes the condition and repositions it away from just being about cysts and ovaries to a more complex multisystem disorder.

PMOS is a condition that affects 170 million women worldwide, that is 1 in 8, or more than 3.1 million women and girls in the UK.

The name change came via an announcement in The Lancet earlier this month.

How did the name change come about?

We can thank a global effort from those with lived experience of the PMOS (previously known as PCOS) condition and leading academic, clinical, and patient organisations over the last 14 years.

Professor Helena Teede an endocrinologist at Monash Health, led the name change process after spending decades researching the condition and seeing the difficulties patients faced regarding diagnosis and support. She was supported by 56 experts, patient and professional organisations across the globe.

How comprehensive was the research backing the PMOS name change?

This is the largest initiative to change the name of a medical condition. A study accompanying the research, comprising a patient-focused effort resulted in more than 22,000 survey responses. Notably, it was found that there was no increase in abnormal ovarian cysts in the condition.

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What are the main issues with the previous PCOS name?

Dr Amira Bhaiji, member of women’s health platform, Daye’s medical board, explained: “The term PMOS is important because it moves the conversation away from an overly “cyst-centric” understanding of the condition and toward recognising it as a complex multisystem disorder.

“The reality is that many women experience the condition as one that affects nearly every dimension of their daily life — metabolic health, reproductive health, appearance, mood, energy, and emotional wellbeing. Language matters in medicine, and this shift better reflects the lived experience of many patients.”

Professor Teede said: “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.

“It was heart breaking to see the delayed diagnosis, limited awareness and inadequate care afforded those affected by this neglected condition.”

What are the main benefits that the PMOS name change will bring?

Rachel Morman, Chair of Verity (PCOS UK), a self-help group, who also has lived experience of the condition, agreed that the previous name misrepresented the true nature of this condition. She said: “It is fantastic that the new name now leads with hormones and recognises the metabolic dimension of the condition.

“This shift will reframe the conversation and demand that it is taken as seriously as the long-term, complex health condition it is.”

What other benefits regarding the PMOS name change can we expect?

Dr Amira Bhaiji said: “Importantly, the renaming also broadens how the condition is viewed within healthcare and research communities. Women’s health remains significantly underfunded and under-researched. Positioning PMOS within the wider context of endocrinology and metabolic health could open opportunities for greater interdisciplinary research and funding, particularly from areas focused on diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders.”

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Was language and culture considered as part of the renaming?

Professor Piltonen, part of the team that led the name change process, said: “An important part of the renaming process was considering the diverse needs of various cultures.

“It was essential that the new name was scientifically correct but also considered across diverse cultural contexts to avoid certain reproductive terms that could heighten stigma and be harmful for women in some countries. This made a culturally and internationally informed consultation critical to getting it right.”

What happens next?

Full implementation of the new PMOS name will be rolled out over the next three years with the new name to be embedded in the 2028 International Guideline update. However, the real work to embed the name will cover medical books, guides and clinical practice guidelines.

In addition to this, there is also the less tangible but equally important cultural and ideological changes that needs to happen in hearts and minds of everyone involved in this space to undo the previous limiting PCOS name.

As Rachel Morman commented: “Despite decades of tireless advocacy to improve awareness, we recognised that the risk of change would be worth the reward.”

The post Renaming PCOS to PMOS: Experts tell us everything you need to know first appeared on Melan Magazine.