Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has been renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), following a 14-year global effort, led by Monash University, to improve diagnosis and care.
The condition, affecting more than 170 million women worldwide, or more than one in eight, had long been misunderstood as being “all about ovarian cysts.” PMOS is characterized by fluctuations in hormones, with impacts on weight, metabolic and mental health, skin, and the reproductive system.
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14 Years of Global Research
The name PCOS was found to reduce a complex, long-term hormonal or endocrine disorder to a misunderstanding about ‘cysts’ and an overt focus on ovaries. This contributed to missed diagnoses and inadequate treatment.
Professor Helena Teede, Director of the Monash Centre for Health Research & Implementation and an endocrinologist at Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia, led the name change process after decades of research into the condition. Teede said it was heartbreaking to see delayed diagnosis, limited awareness, and inadequate care. A name change was the next critical step toward recognition and improvement.
Diverse Needs of Various Cultures
Professor Terhi Piltonen, international co-lead from Oulu University, Finland, noted that the new name had to be scientifically correct but also considered across diverse cultural contexts to avoid stigma in some countries.
The Transition Period
Transition to the new name will occur over three years, supported by a major international education and awareness campaign reaching healthcare professionals, governments, and researchers worldwide. PMOS will be fully implemented in the 2028 International Guideline update.