Have you heard of PMOS? Nope? Well, you’re about to. PCOS has had a brand new upgrade, which comes with a new name. I feel like I’m a bit behind on the whole conversation, but as the ever-learning medic I am, I still want to know everything there is to know about the change and why it’s only coming now. If you’re like me and want to learn about the change, stick around for the rest of this article so we can learn together. Don’t worry, this will be a quicker read than normal!
A quick recap on the old name …
PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Diagnosis used to depend on having polycystic ovaries and other hormonal or metabolic effects. This led to the misconception that only those with polycystic ovaries can experience related hormonal, metabolic, skin, and psychiatric symptoms, which is untrue (1). Such misunderstandings have caused delayed diagnosis, disjointed care, and misguided policies. Historically, diagnosis required meeting at least two of three guideline features: inconsistent or absent ovulation; excess androgens; or polycystic ovaries on ultrasound (or elevated AMH). Many other features exist. Associated metabolic conditions include Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease; skin conditions include acne and hirsutism (male-pattern hair growth in women); psychiatric conditions include anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
Why the change?
PCOS has long been viewed primarily as a gynaecological issue affecting female organs, but current research shows that the condition actually centres on hormonal (endocrinological) dysfunction involving not just ovarian hormones and androgens, but also insulin and neuroendocrine hormones. While the new name notes this foundation, gynaecological effects such as inconsistent ovulation, irregular menstruation, infertility, and pregnancy complications are still part of the condition.
PMOS stands for Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome. This name better reflects the condition because it accurately captures the impact of the numerous hormones and metabolic processes which are affected by having the condition. It takes the focus away from the polycystic ovaries, but still accurately captures that there are significant ovarian influences on the condition (2). The change in the name was necessary because, in accurately naming the condition, we can accurately diagnose people. As you can see from my past article entry (https://staymeducated.com/the-silent-struggle-what-you-need-to-know-about-pcos/), up to 70% of women with PMOS are undiagnosed. By properly naming the condition, we will hopefully make a positive step in reducing this number.
The process of change
The official name change was announced on 12th May 2026, in The Lancet (1). This is not the first time that this has been attempted, but through the relentless work of key individuals in the world of reproductive medicine, change came around. Professionals like Dr Ricardo Azziz, Professor Andrea Dunaif, Professor Bart Fauser, Professor Robert J Norman and Professor Helena Teede have been constantly advocating for change for the past 14 years. They recognised how the disease was being misrepresented in its name, and they put the work in, along with notable institutions like Monash Centre for Health Research & Implementation (an Australian Institution) and Verity (a UK-based charity and patient advocacy organisation) and pushed for a name that accurately described the condition (3, 5). They conducted research and gathered evidence from over 14,000 patients to support their work, so this was no small feat. Following their announcement, the name will now be enforced in place of the old name , and the term PCOS has been retired.
What does this mean going forward?
Change doesn’t stop at the name change. We still need to endeavour to learn more about the condition by understanding all the different aspects of the condition, and reducing the stigma associated with certain features like weight gain and hirsutism. There is a transition process which will occur over the upcoming 3 years to help with increasing diagnoses and providing funding for accurate training for healthcare professionals regarding this condition (4). With the new identity of the condition, diagnosing the condition should improve, as the widespread symptom features may be better considered when examining and speaking to patients. This new identity means that treatment can be broader and tailored to each individual patient. The main and most important impact for change is education. Understanding the condition in its totality, based on each individual patient, is the most important takeaway.
References:
- Teede H, Piltonen T, Dokras A, Morman R, et al. Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS): renaming polycystic ovary syndrome. Lancet. 2026. Available from: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00717-8/fulltext
- Care Fertility. Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome (PCOS) & Fertility [Internet]. Nottingham: Care Fertility; [cited 2026 May 20]. Available from: https://carefertility.com/conditions/polycystic-ovaries
- Society for Endocrinology. Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) is the new name for PCOS [Internet]. Bristol: Society for Endocrinology; 2026 May 12 [cited 2026 May 20]. Available from: https://www.endocrinology.org/news/item/23445/polyendocrine-metabolic-ovarian-syndrome-(pmos)-is-the-new-name-for-pcos
- The Conversation. From PCOS to PMOS: what the name change to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome means for women’s health [Internet]. The Conversation; 2026 [cited 2026 May 20]. Available from: https://theconversation.com/from-pcos-to-pmos-what-the-name-change-to-polyendocrine-metabolic-ovarian-syndrome-means-for-womens-health-282843
- Ungar L. The condition known as PCOS is now called PMOS: what to know about the name change and treatment [Internet]. PBS NewsHour. 2026 May 18 [cited 2026 May 20]. Available from: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/the-condition-known-as-pcos-is-now-called-pmos-what-to-know-about-the-name-change-and-treatment
