Women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) now have a name for their condition. As of May 2026, PCOS was renamed as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). The change was spearheaded by Professor Helena Teede, an endocrinologist and the director of Melbourne’s Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation. And the name change didn’t come lightly. It was also the result of 14 years of collaboration between international societies and 56 patient organizations across 6 continents. This included a survey with 22,000 responses, workshops, and shared experiences from women who live with PCOS.
Why experts wanted to move away from the term "PCOS"
So why the name change? According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, changing PCOS to PMOS “accurately reflects the condition and its symptoms.” The goal of the name change is to facilitate greater awareness, improving care and outcomes for the 1 in 8 women worldwide who live with the condition.
The condition was originally named polycystic ovary syndrome because when researchers first described it in 1935, they had observed enlarged ovaries containing multiple small fluid-filled structures that appeared cyst-like. Experts advocating for the name change say calling it PCOS was reducing the condition “from a complex, long-term hormonal or endocrine disorder to a misunderstanding about cysts and a focus on ovaries.”
The concern was that the focus on cysts contributed to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment, since not everyone with PMOS has polycystic ovaries and ovarian cysts are only one possible feature of the condition.
Related: Health risks women face more than men
PMOS reflects a broader understanding of the condition
Experts have learned a lot about PMOS since it was first discovered. Although polycystic-appearing ovaries can be one aspect of the condition, we’ve since learned that the syndrome involves much more than ovarian changes. And a person can have PMOS without having cysts on their ovaries at all.
The new name reflects the growing understanding that PMOS can affect multiple hormone systems and metabolic processes throughout the body.
Researchers now understand that PMOS stems from an imbalance of hormones, including insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar, and androgens, a group of hormones that includes testosterone. Higher androgen levels can contribute to many of the symptoms commonly associated with the condition.
As a result, those diagnosed with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome often experience symptoms like:
- Irregular or missed periods
- Infertility
- Thinning hair
- Extra body hair on areas like the chest, stomach, and back
- Weight gain (especially around the belly)
- Skin tags
- Dark or thick skin patches beneath breasts, under armpits, or on the back of the neck
- Oily skin or acne
- Ovaries that appear large or are polycystic-appearing
What the name change means for patients
Traditionally, receiving a PCOS diagnosis has not always been easy. Some reports suggest that up to 70% of women living with PCOS don't know they have it. Many women report seeing 3 or 4 practitioners before receiving an accurate diagnosis. While others note it can take them months to years to realize what is going on in their bodies.
A PMOS diagnosis is a multi-faceted process. It typically involves a combination of symptom assessment, medical history, bloodwork, and sometimes ultrasound imaging. Doctors may also use blood tests to look at hormone levels, blood sugar, cholesterol, and other markers that may be affected by the condition.
When the condition was called PCOS, some providers took the absence of cysts as a reason to rule it out. The name change is intended to help providers view PMOS as a complex endocrine and metabolic condition rather than a disorder centered solely on ovarian cysts. The goal is to improve diagnosis, care, and long-term outcomes for the many women living with the condition.
Experts also hope the new name will reduce confusion among patients, as some patients may have previously assumed they couldn't have the condition if they didn't have ovarian cysts, even though cysts aren't required for diagnosis.
Looking beyond reproductive health
While PMOS can often contribute to symptoms like infertility and menstrual irregularity, it can take a toll on much more than reproductive health. Doctors now know it can have effects across many systems in the body. PMOS is associated with insulin resistance and an increased risk of:
- An increased risk of Type 2 diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Metabolic syndrome
- Sleep apnea
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease)
Adding the word "metabolic" to the condition's new name was done to reflect the growing understanding that PMOS is more than an ovarian condition.
Since PMOS is associated with metabolic and cardiometabolic risk factors, many women can benefit from keeping an eye on factors like blood sugar, cholesterol, body composition, and liver health.
Related: Why you should be tracking your body composition
While PMOS itself cannot be diagnosed with MRI, Prenuvo's Whole Body Scan can offer a broader picture of your overall health, helping to provide insights into areas like metabolic health. Prenuvo's Body Composition Analysis also measures visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, liver fat, and skeletal muscle, helping people better understand factors that may play a role in their metabolic health. And routine bloodwork can provide additional information about markers like cholesterol, inflammation, and hormone levels, giving healthcare providers more context about your overall health.
