A widely prevalent women’s health condition previously known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been officially renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) in an effort to better reflect its complex biological basis and improve patient care. The change follows decades of advocacy by researchers and clinicians seeking a more accurate and encompassing terminology.
PCOS affects approximately 170 million people globally and occurs in about one in seven women of reproductive age. Despite its frequency, it remains poorly understood by many patients and healthcare providers. Historically described as Stein-Leventhal syndrome and later renamed PCOS in the 1990s, the original term was based on early observations of numerous small ovarian follicles thought to be cysts. However, these structures are not true cysts, and the terminology has fostered misconceptions about the condition’s nature and diagnosis.
Experts have long recognized that PMOS extends beyond the ovaries, involving systemic endocrine and metabolic dysfunction. The name “ovarian” was considered misleading, as the disorder’s primary disturbances include hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance, which affect multiple body systems. Since the 1980s, studies have shown many affected individuals experience elevated insulin levels, leading to excess production of testosterone and other androgens. This contributes to symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, acne, and excess body hair.
Insulin resistance in PMOS patients is also linked to broader metabolic concerns, including an increased risk of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and fatty liver disease. Furthermore, recent research indicates that hormonal imbalances associated with the syndrome may contribute to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Helena Teede, a professor and women’s health researcher at Monash University who led the renaming initiative, emphasized that the change was intended to “completely reclassify the condition.” She highlighted the importance of broadening understanding among patients and clinicians, which could inform the use of treatments not traditionally associated with reproductive health, including certain diabetes medications and weight management strategies, such as lifestyle interventions and GLP-1 receptor agonists.
The renaming effort also aims to promote more comprehensive screening for associated long-term health risks from adolescence onward. Women with PMOS face heightened risks of heart attack, stroke, endometrial cancer, and pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes and preterm birth. Currently, routine screening for these complications is not widely implemented, a gap advocates hope to address through the updated classification.
The process of adopting the new name involved extensive collaboration, including a global survey of thousands of patients and consultation with 56 medical societies and patient organizations worldwide. The initiative also calls for revisions to medical education, clinical guidelines, and healthcare billing to support implementation.
Teede noted that while consensus on the new terminology was difficult to achieve—previous efforts dating back to a 2012 National Institutes of Health panel had recognized the need but failed to settle on a replacement—the current approach prioritized patient input and multi-disciplinary agreement. The change reflects broader efforts to improve recognition and care of conditions affecting women’s health, moving beyond reductive frameworks that focus narrowly on reproductive aspects.
Ultimately, PMOS underscores the need for medical practice and research to address the full spectrum of hormonal and metabolic factors in women’s health, aiming to close longstanding gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and health outcomes.