A common hormonal condition affecting 170 million women worldwide has a new name.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) will now be called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), following a global push from women’s health experts and patient advocates who say the previous name was misleading and inaccurate.
Experts say the new name better reflects that PMOS is not simply a reproductive condition or “all about ovarian cysts”. Instead, it is a complex, long-term hormonal and metabolic condition linked to fertility issues, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, weight gain, acne, excess hair growth, mental health conditions and cardiovascular risks.
The renaming initiative, led by Professor Helena Teede, Director of the Monash Centre for Health Research & Implementation and an endocrinologist at Monash Health, was announced at the 8th European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague and published in The Lancet.
Professor Teede said the old name had contributed to confusion, delayed diagnosis and inadequate care.
“What we now know is that there is actually no increase in abnormal cysts on the ovary, and the diverse features of the condition were often unappreciated,” she said.
“It was heartbreaking to see the delayed diagnosis, limited awareness and inadequate care afforded those affected by this neglected condition.”
PMOS affects around one in eight women, yet many cases still remain undiagnosed. Diagnosis is currently based on a combination of symptoms, including irregular periods or ovulation, higher androgen levels and polycystic ovaries seen on ultrasound.
The name change has been 14 years in the making and involved more than 22,000 survey responses, international workshops, clinicians, researchers and people with lived experience across six continents.
Australian woman Lorna Berry, who has PMOS and was involved in the renaming process, said the name change is about more than language.
“This is about accountability and progress,” she said. “We deserve clarity, understanding, and equitable healthcare from the very beginning.”
The new name will be rolled out over a three-year transition period and fully implemented in the 2028 International Guideline update.
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