Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has had a name change. Meet PMOS, Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome. While the name change was announced overnight the road to get to this point was long, thorough and well discussed among women with the previous diagnosis of PCOS and the medical community.

So, why the name change?

PCOS is a condition which effects 1 in 8 women globally but the historic name of the condition has simplified its impact to just the ovaries and reproductive system. In early research regarding the condition scientists made comments about “cysts” when sighting ovaries in pelvic ultrasounds. The structures often referred to as “cysts” in PCOS are not actually cysts at all. They are immature egg follicles that have stopped developing at an early stage. Importantly, many people diagnosed with PCOS do not even display these ovarian abnormalities.

The term “PCOS” has long directed attention toward the ovaries, despite the fact that, for many patients, ovarian symptoms are only a small part of the condition. It also reinforced the misconception that the disorder is purely gynaecological. In reality, it is a complex hormonal and metabolic condition.

People with the condition often have elevated levels of male hormones, known as androgens. Brain signalling to the ovaries can also be disrupted, while the body’s response to insulin is frequently impaired. As a result, individuals with the condition face a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, obesity, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. The condition is also associated with increased rates of depression, anxiety, sleep apnoea, and endometrial cancer. The current name reflects only one organ and fails to capture the disorder's multisystem nature. PCOS encompasses diverse endocrine, metabolic, reproductive, psychological, and dermatological features.

The new name, PMOS, better represents the complex and whole-body nature of the condition.

Polyendocrine → involves multiple hormone systems not just ovulation

Metabolic → reflects insulin resistance and metabolic health effects

Ovarian → acknowledges ovarian involvement without making it the sole focus

Syndrome → indicates a group of related symptoms and features, not just one single illness or symptom

While the medical, patient and scientific community have long discussed the need for a new name for PCOS, the process of agreeing upon a new name and implementing the agreed change is complex. So how did they do it?

Over 10 years researchers consulted over 22,000 people including patients with PCOS and professions working with women with PCOS. Surveys were conducted globally and then the Delphi survey process was used to build a consensus or come to an agreement on the name.

A Delphi survey process is used when evidence is incomplete or evolving (such in the case of PCOS where there is still so much not understood about this condition) and is commonly used in healthcare, education and science. Experts answer questions anonymously; responses are summarised and shared before several rounds of questionnaires are repeated. After multiple rounds consensus is reached.

How will the name change impact care?

With the old name focusing on cysts and the impact on ovaries the average length of time to diagnosis was over 2 years. The name change may help widen the focus of health education to include long term health risks associated with PMOS. Many diagnosed under the term PCOS were not educated on their longer-term risk of diabetes, diabetes in pregnancy or cardiovascular disease risk as most of the counselling focused on periods, fertility and weight management.

Historically the name PCOS has also meant that care has been focused on medical management of the ovarian symptoms usually under a Gynaecologist so the name change may mean that more multi-disciplinary team members in health may be involved. This could include Dietitians, mental health professionals, sleep specialists and Endocrinologists.

It is hoped that the name change will help to reduce stigma and confusion for those diagnosed with PMOS. Many patients reported feeling invalidated because they had no “cysts”, their symptoms weren’t impacting ovulation or perhaps they didn’t want to focus on fertility, or they were told to simply lose weight to manage their condition.

The Lancet Journal that published the announcement and consensus of the name change has suggested that PMOS be introduced gradually to avoid confusion and more difficulty with care for the women it impacts. International guidelines on PMOS are expected to be announced in 2028 but currently medications, treatments and most elements of diagnosis remains the same. 

The name PCOS and specifically focus on cysts has contributed to delay with diagnosis, stigma and difficulty with agreeing on medical policy which impacts on patient outcomes. It might look like a change and rearrange of a few letters but this small change is in fact a significant one and one that hopefully will lead to better care for patients.

References:

Teede H, Khomami M, Mornan R Et al. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. The Lancet, 2026