An international coalition of 56 organizations has proposed renaming polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), a change grounded in the observation that many patients don’t actually have ovarian cysts but suffer from widespread hormonal and metabolic dysfunction. The proposal was published in The Lancet and presented at the European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague.
The renaming effort, described as “unprecedented” in scope, was informed by more than a decade of vigorous debate among doctors and researchers, input from dozens of organizations and experts, and feedback from more than 14,000 patients. Patients and clinicians agreed that the current name—focusing incorrectly on cysts—has contributed to “delayed diagnosis, fragmented care and stigma, while curtailing research and policy framing.” Lead study author Helena Teede, director of Melbourne’s Monash Center for Health Research and Implementation, noted that patients, who “have suffered because of the name,” were “really passionate” about changing it.
The condition affects approximately 170 million reproductive-age women worldwide. About 5 million to 6 million American women have PMOS, representing up to 12% of American women of reproductive age. Despite its prevalence, the World Health Organization estimates that nearly 70% of women who suffer from it have never been diagnosed. Common symptoms include irregular periods, pelvic pain, excess body hair, and acne.
The authors plan for the World Health Organization and the International Classification of Diseases to adopt the new name over the next three years, potentially making it the international standard by 2028. Medical experts believe the name change will improve treatment approaches by broadening research funding beyond ovarian-focused sources. Teede explained that when a condition is categorized as affecting one organ, “everything from research funding to education to clinical guidelines is all in that box. And in this condition, it was in the wrong box.” The change could prompt doctors to recommend screening for metabolic and cardiovascular problems and to recognize PMOS as a long-term chronic condition rather than just a reproductive issue.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://theweek.com/health/pcos-pmos-name-change-treatment-womens-health