In a major shift in women’s healthcare, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has officially been renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) following years of debate among global health experts, researchers, and patient advocacy groups.
The announcement was made at the European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague and published simultaneously in The Lancet. The decision comes after a 14-year international effort aimed at better defining a condition that affects nearly 170 million women worldwide.
Experts say the old term “PCOS” was often misleading because it suggested the disorder was mainly related to ovarian cysts or reproductive health. In reality, many women diagnosed with the condition do not have ovarian cysts at all, while the disorder itself affects several hormonal and metabolic systems in the body.
The new name, PMOS, reflects the broader impact of the condition. Doctors explain that the word “polyendocrine” highlights the involvement of multiple hormones, while “metabolic” points to issues such as insulin resistance, weight gain, and increased risks of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
According to the World Health Organization, the condition affects around one in eight women globally, though a large number of cases remain undiagnosed. Common symptoms include irregular periods, acne, excessive facial or body hair, fertility issues, and unexplained weight gain.
Health experts believe the renaming could improve awareness and help patients receive more comprehensive treatment instead of focusing only on reproductive symptoms. Researchers also hope the updated terminology will encourage better diagnosis, reduce stigma, and improve understanding of the condition among both doctors and patients.
Medical professionals say the change is more than symbolic, as it acknowledges that the disorder impacts the entire body and not just the ovaries.