PCOS Is Now PMOS: Name Change, Reason, Symptoms Explained

Recently, the condition formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome – PCOS for short – was renamed to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS.

Researchers say they made the change to more accurately address how the condition affects people, calling the old name “inaccurate”.

Here, we asked Eve Lepage, a reproductive health specialist at period cycle tracker Clue, for her thoughts on why the change was needed, whether she thinks it’s a good idea, and the signs of PMOS.

The change, Lepage explained, took place to more precisely describe how the condition works.

PCOS implies that the main issue involves cysts in people’s ovaries. But, Lepage said, decades of research have taught us it’s more complicated than that: PMOS can affect a variety of other systems,” including metabolism, cardiovascular health, and mental health”.

Additionally, the expert explained, “One of the biggest misconceptions about PCOS is built into the name itself: the ‘cysts’ aren’t actually cysts at all. What clinicians see on ultrasound are usually immature ovarian follicles, which are small sacs containing eggs that haven’t fully developed or been released during ovulation. True ovarian cysts are completely different structures”.

And you don’t even need to have these not-quite-“cysts” to be diagnosed with PMOS, she continued.

“Under the current diagnostic criteria, someone can still receive a diagnosis based on symptoms like irregular ovulation and elevated androgens (hormones like testosterone that can contribute to symptoms such as acne or excess facial hair), even if their ovaries appear completely normal on ultrasound.

“At the same time, many people without PCOS can have ovaries that look ‘polycystic’ on ultrasound. It’s no surprise this terminology has created confusion among patients, clinicians, policymakers, and the public for decades.”

In short, yes, said LePage.

“Broadly speaking, many experts support the change because they believe the old name contributed to misunderstandings, stigma, and delayed diagnosis. Research and international surveys found strong support among both healthcare professionals and people living with the condition for a new name that better reflects the underlying physiology.”

It also helps to remove the focus from PMOS as a primarily reproductive issue, highlighting “the metabolic and endocrine aspects of the condition, including insulin resistance and increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease”.

And it could help patients who didn’t feel represented by the traditional definition of the disease to realise they have it.

That’s not to say there are no possible drawbacks. The term might be confusing at first to patients and healthcare providers who have gotten used to the same term over the years.

But in general, Lepage said, “many experts, myself included, strongly believe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks if the new terminology leads to earlier diagnosis, better understanding, and more comprehensive care.”

Firstly, the pro told us, “PMOS can look very different from person to person, which is one reason diagnosis is often delayed.”

Still, she said, symptoms can include:

• Irregular or absent periods,

• Difficulty getting pregnant due to irregular ovulation or no ovulation,

• Excess facial or body hair,

• Acne or oily skin,

• Hair thinning on the scalp,

• Weight gain or difficulty managing weight,

• Fatigue,

• Insulin resistance or difficulty regulating blood sugar,

• Mood changes, anxiety, or depression,

• Multiple small follicles visible on the ovaries during ultrasound.

In the long-term, she said, “PMOS is also associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, sleep apnea, infertility, and endometrial cancer.

“Importantly, not everyone experiences the same symptoms, and not everyone will have visible ovarian follicles on ultrasound. That variability is part of why many experts felt the old name no longer reflected the full reality of the condition.”