PCOS has been renamed PMOS!

Here’s what you need to know...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS, also known as polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOD) is the most common hormone disorder worldwide, affecting one in eight women. The true number may be even higher, as up to 70% of affected individuals never get a diagnosis.

While PCOS is predominantly thought of as a gynaecological or ovarian disorder, the hormone imbalances that characterise PCOS have far-reaching effects throughout the body. In fact, insulin resistance is widely regarded as one of the most important features of the condition, affecting the majority of people with PCOS.

Some other, common symptoms are:

• irregular or missing periods

• excessive hair growth on the face and body (hirsutism)

• acne

• infertility or pregnancy complications

• patches of dark, thickened, velvety skin (acanthosis nigricans)

• anxiety and depression

• eating disorders

• excess weight gain

• sleep issues

PCOS also increases the risk of obesity, dysglycaemia, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnoea, and endometrial cancer.

Diagnosis in adults requires at least 2 of the following symptoms:

•  missing or irregular periods

•  clinical or biochemical hyper­-androgenism

•  polycystic ovaries on ultrasound or elevated anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)

Individuals diagnosed with PCOS will usually be offered a combination of different medication depending on their symptoms, with the most common being the contraceptive pill (for irregular periods and high androgens), Metformin (to treat type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance), anti-androgen medications, and fertility treatment.

While there is a genetic component to PCOS, the condition is greatly impacted by our nutrition and lifestyle. Although there is no ‘cure’ for PCOS, symptoms can be very well managed and reduced using diet and lifestyle.

So, what’s new?

As of May 2026, the name PCOS has now been changed to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). This is because the previous name - polycystic ovarian syndrome - implied pathological ovarian cysts, which are not actually a significant feature of the condition. The name was therefore inaccurate and misleading, and potentially delayed diagnosis. In addition, because the name focused on the ovaries, rather than any other organ or part of the condition, it not only downplayed the multi-systemic and complex nature of the condition, but also reinforced the stigma associated with infertility.

In contrast, the new name reflects the many systems that are affected by the condition:

• Polyendocrine - reflects the many hormone imbalances present in the condition. In particular, hyperandrogenism (or high levels of androgens such as testosterone) is a key feature, contributing to hirsutism, acne, and alopecia.

• Metabolic - insulin resistance affects around 85% of individuals with the condition. Along with low-grade inflammation, this contributes to metabolic issues such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

• Ovarian - elevated AMH levels and ovarian dysfunction is still an important part of the condition, hence this was kept in the name. These contribute to some of the key symptoms of irregular periods and infertility.

What does this mean for people with PCOS? 

It will take 3 years to transition to the new name. In the meantime, the hope is that this will reduce diagnostic delays for those suspected of having the condition (who don't have polycystic ovaries on ultrasound), and that the metabolic aspects of the condition will be better understood and recognised. We can also hope that this will lead to more studies in the future on the condition, but only time will tell!

In the meantime, this doesn’t change the guidance on what to do for PMOS - diet and lifestyle still have a huge role to play (especially given how important it is to manage blood sugar levels), especially for those who don't wish to, or can't, take the contraceptive pill.

If you’re interested in further support and guidance on how to manage PMOS through nutrition and lifestyle, book in for a free consultation.

Have you recently been diagnosed with PCOS, or know someone who has? Share this article with them!