PCOS renamed PMOS in global overhaul of women’s health term

A common hormonal disorder affecting millions of women worldwide is getting a new name, as experts say the previous term failed to reflect the full scope of the condition.

Polycystic ovary syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, will now be called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS, according to a report published Tuesday, May 12, in The Lancet.

Researchers say the updated name better captures the disorder’s wide-ranging hormonal, metabolic and reproductive effects, while correcting misconceptions tied to the term "polycystic."

"It was very clear that the name was inaccurate," Dr. Helena Teede, an endocrinologist and professor of women’s health at Monash University who chaired the international steering group behind the renaming effort, told Live Science.

The initiative involved thousands of patients and health care professionals worldwide, as well as more than 50 academic, clinical and patient advocacy organizations. Experts plan to phase in the new terminology over the next three years through updated clinical guidelines, medical education and international disease classification systems.

Here's what to know about the renaming.

Why experts say the old name was misleading

For decades, doctors and researchers have argued that the term PCOS placed too much emphasis on ovarian cysts, even though many patients diagnosed with the condition do not actually have cysts.

Instead, experts say patients often develop "arrested follicles," or immature eggs that, because of hormonal imbalances, fail to develop fully. These follicles are not considered true pathological cysts.

"The name focuses on a criterion … which is neither necessary nor sufficient to diagnose the syndrome," experts from the National Institutes of Health wrote in a 2012 report recommending a name change.

Researchers also say the old terminology overlooked the condition’s broader impacts on metabolism, cardiovascular health, skin conditions and mental health.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, PMOS is a hormonal disorder in which the ovaries produce excess androgens, sometimes referred to as male hormones. The imbalance can disrupt ovulation and menstrual cycles, causing irregular periods, infertility, acne, excess facial or body hair, weight gain and thinning hair.

The condition affects up to 15% of women of reproductive age and is considered one of the leading causes of female infertility, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Research also suggests PMOS can increase the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, depression and anxiety.

Experts estimate up to 70% of people with the condition remain undiagnosed.

'Language matters in medicine'

Dr. Melanie Cree, a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of Colorado Anschutz who participated in the international effort, said the name change represents more than a cosmetic update.

"Renaming this condition is more than semantics; it’s about finally recognizing the full reality of what patients experience," Cree said in a statement.

Experts say the new terminology could help reduce stigma tied to fertility issues and encourage more comprehensive treatment approaches that address the condition’s metabolic and endocrine complications.

"Language matters in medicine," Cree said. "The previous name often led to misconceptions and stigma, particularly around fertility."

The new name is expected to be gradually adopted worldwide as health care systems and medical organizations update diagnostic terminology and patient education materials.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at [email protected], or on Twitter @athompsonUSAT