PCOS Renamed to PMOS After Global Consensus Effort

After decades of debate and a global survey of patients and healthcare professionals, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has been officially renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS).

The decision, announced Tuesday at the European Society of Endocrinology Conference in Prague, corrects a long-standing misnomer. The term 'polycystic' implied abnormal ovarian cysts, but patients with PMOS instead have arrested follicles-eggs that failed to mature due to hormonal disruption.

Nearly 86% of patients and 76% of health professionals surveyed agreed the name needed to change. The process was led by Dr. Helena Teede of Monash University and involved 56 organizations worldwide.

Experts hope the new name will reduce diagnostic gaps, as up to 70% of cases remain undiagnosed. By highlighting metabolic and endocrine dysfunction, PMOS may also attract broader research funding beyond reproductive health.

Teede emphasized that the name reflects the syndrome's systemic nature, impacting metabolism, weight, reproduction, skin, and mental health. The rollout will take three years to ensure clinical adoption.