PCOS, a major women’s health condition affecting millions of women and girls, has officially been renamed in a landmark move designed to improve understanding, diagnosis and treatment worldwide.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, will now be known as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS).
Changing the name to PMOS represents a growing understanding of the condition and shows us that it is more complex than previously believed.
The change follows a 14-year international collaboration involving researchers, healthcare professionals and people living with the condition.
The announcement was published in the medical journal The Lancet and led by experts from Monash University and the International PCOS Network.
For years, experts and campaigners have argued that the term “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome” was misleading. Many people assumed the condition was simply related to ovarian cysts, when in reality it is a lifelong hormonal and metabolic disorder.
Researchers say there is no evidence of an increase in abnormal ovarian cysts in those diagnosed with the condition, making the previous name scientifically inaccurate. The focus on ovaries also overlooked the broader health impacts many patients experience.
PMOS better reflects the condition’s links to hormone imbalance, metabolism and multiple body systems. Symptoms can include irregular periods, fertility difficulties, acne, excessive hair growth, weight changes, insulin resistance and mental health challenges.
Health experts hope the new name will encourage earlier diagnosis and more comprehensive care.
PMOS affects around one in eight women globally, yet awareness and diagnosis remain poor. Many patients report waiting years for answers, while others struggle to access joined-up care for the range of symptoms they experience.
Campaigners say the previous terminology contributed to confusion among both the public and healthcare professionals. By focusing heavily on ovaries and “cysts”, the condition’s wider health risks were often overlooked.
The updated name is intended to help reframe PMOS as a serious endocrine and metabolic condition rather than a reproductive issue alone.
The renaming process involved 56 patient and professional organisations from around the world.
More than 22,000 people contributed through surveys and workshops during the consultation process. Organisers said cultural sensitivity was also an important factor when selecting the new terminology, particularly in countries where reproductive health terms can carry stigma.
Experts involved in the project say the transition to PMOS will take place over the next three years, supported by international education campaigns aimed at healthcare professionals, researchers and patients.
The new name is expected to be fully adopted in the 2028 update to the International PMOS Guideline.
Healthcare organisations hope the name change will spark wider improvements in research funding, public awareness and clinical care.
Advocates believe clearer terminology could help reduce delayed diagnoses and encourage more people to seek medical advice for symptoms that may previously have been dismissed or misunderstood.
