The international medical community has announced an important update: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has officially received a new name — Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). This decision is the result of three years of work by an international expert group and was published in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet.
Why was the term “polycystic” abandoned?
For many years, the name “polycystic ovary syndrome” has been misleading.
An interesting fact: most patients with this diagnosis do not actually have ovarian cysts. What physicians see on ultrasound are not cysts in the usual sense, but multiple small antral follicles whose development has stopped due to ovulatory dysfunction. Experts concluded that the old name described the condition too narrowly and failed to reflect its true nature.
What does the new name PMOS mean? Each letter reflects a key aspect of the syndrome:
P — Polyendocrine — PCOS affects multiple hormonal systems in the body
M — Metabolic — the syndrome is closely linked to metabolic disturbances
O — Ovarian — emphasizes its impact on ovarian function
S — Syndrome — a complex of interconnected manifestations
5 important facts about PCOS/PMOS everyone should know:
It is not only a gynecological condition
PCOS is a systemic condition that affects not only reproductive health but the entire body. Patients more commonly experience:
- insulin resistance
- prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
- lipid metabolism disorders
- nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- increased cardiovascular risks
According to consensus data, signs of insulin resistance are present in approximately 85% of patients.
Diagnosis is often delayed
According to international data, up to 70% of women remain undiagnosed for a long time. One reason is the wide variety of symptoms:
- irregular menstrual cycles
- absent ovulation
- acne
- excessive hair growth
- hair loss
- difficulty conceiving
- weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Lean women can also have PCOS
There is a common misconception that the syndrome only occurs in patients with overweight or obesity. In reality, there is also lean PCOS — a form of the syndrome affecting women with a normal BMI.
PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility — but it is not a sentence
With timely diagnosis and the right treatment strategy, most patients can successfully achieve pregnancy. Modern treatment approaches include:
- lifestyle modification
- ovulation restoration
- medical therapy
- individualized reproductive support
The renaming does not immediately change diagnostic criteria
For now, current diagnostic approaches remain unchanged in clinical practice. The transition period is expected to take approximately three years, with gradual integration into international classifications. Updated clinical guidelines are expected around 2028.
Why is this important for patients?
The new name helps explain the condition more accurately.
It is a step toward helping patients understand that PCOS is not simply “cysts on the ovaries,” but a condition requiring comprehensive attention to:
- hormonal health
- metabolism
- reproductive function
- prevention of long-term metabolic complications
What should you do if you have signs of PCOS?
If you are experiencing:
- irregular menstrual cycles
- acne or increased hair growth
- difficulty conceiving
- rapid weight gain
- ultrasound changes in the ovaries
Early diagnosis allows physicians to develop a personalized treatment strategy and help prevent long-term complications. The renaming of PCOS to PMOS is not just a change in terminology. It is recognition that the condition is much broader than its historical name and requires a modern, comprehensive approach to women’s health.