PCOS Is Now PMOS: What the Name Change Means for Women
After a multi-year, global process involving clinicians, researchers, and patients,the decision was made to change Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). If you have been diagnosed with PCOS/PMOS, you likely have questions about why this change happened and whether it affects your care. At Diana Health, we are dedicated to answering your questions and helping you understand this update.
What is the new name?
The new name is Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS).
What does PMOS mean?
PMOS is a complex name for a complex condition. To better understand the syndrome, let’s break it down:
- Poly: more than one system is affected
- Endocrine: the system of glands that secrete hormones (chemical messengers) throughout the body
- Metabolic: how your body processes energy from food and manages insulin, blood sugar, and weight
- Ovarian: related to the ovaries, but not limited to cysts
- Syndrome: a collection of symptoms that often happen together due to hormonal and metabolic imbalance
Why was the name changed from PCOS to PMOS?
The term PCOS focuses mainly on ovarian cysts. However, women with PCOS/PMOS may or may not have polycystic-appearing ovaries. This old name was scientifically inaccurate and confusing, which could lead to misdiagnosis, underdiagnosis, or delays in care.
PMOS shifts the focus from ovarian cysts to broader endocrine and metabolic health concerns, including insulin resistance (cells respond less effectively to insulin), hormonal imbalances (often elevated androgen levels disrupt ovulation), reproductive challenges, and long-term health.
This whole-health focus highlights the importance of early diagnosis, lifestyle management, and holistic care that we already prioritize at Diana Health. Diana Health’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Christopher Sizemore, DO, FACOG, ABOIM, says, “The renaming of this complex endocrine and metabolic syndrome could be a significant step toward helping providers more effectively identify and treat their patients. Transitioning from PCOS to PMOS may enhance understanding and management of this condition.”
Who does PMOS affect?
- PMOS affects 6-12% of women of reproductive age in the U.S.
- It is often diagnosed during a woman’s reproductive years but it can persist beyond this time
- It often (but not always) runs in families, with genetic and environmental factors playing a role
- Lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, and environmental exposures may influence severity
- For more details about PMOS/PCOS, read our PCOS 101 blog
What are the symptoms of PMOS?
Symptoms vary widely, can be mild or severe, and vary from woman to woman. Common symptoms include:
- Irregular or missed periods
- Ovulation disruptions that negatively impact fertility
- Skin changes such as acne, dark patches, and skin tags
- Hair changes such as increased hair on the face, arms, and chest, and thinning of scalp hair
- Weight gain and difficulties losing weight (though PMOS can occur at any weight or body size)
- Elevated blood sugar and insulin resistance
- Elevated blood pressure and cholesterol
- Mood or mental health changes
Which term should I use with my provider: PCOS or PMOS?
You can use either. The new term, PMOS, will be phased in over several years. The vast majority of clinicians will still know what you’re talking about if you use PCOS, but it will take a while before all clinicians know about the PMOS name change. As women’s health experts, we understand this change and are happy to talk with you regardless of whether you refer to it as PCOS or PMOS.
How will this affect my care at Diana Health?
The new name will not change your care. At Diana Health, we treated PCOS as a whole-health metabolic endocrine syndrome even before the name change. Diagnostic criteria were not changed by the name change and if you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS, you don’t need to be re-diagnosed due to the name change. The women’s health experts at Diana Health understand PCOS/PMOS and the condition that you had that was called PCOS, is the same condition that you have now as PMOS. It simply has an updated name.
This new name may make it easier for you to understand why this syndrome is causing symptoms beyond your ovaries. PCOS/PMOS is often treated with medications and healthy lifestyle behaviors. Our healthcare team, our certified nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, doctors, dietitians, wellness coaches, and social workers are all here to support you.
As a team of women’s health specialists, we feel that this is a step in the right direction for even better care. The PMOS name change now better reflects that this syndrome is about much more than ovarian cysts. It is a complex endocrine, metabolic, ovarian, and reproductive condition that affects different women in different ways. The new name will hopefully help women get earlier diagnoses, access to the correct care, and the help that they need and deserve. Understanding PMOS is empowering and at Diana Health, we’re here to answer your questions and support your health journey. Reach out if you have any questions or concerns for our women’s health experts.
