A new global consensus has been announced that the condition polycystic ovary syndrome, also known as PCOS, is now getting a name change: polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). The name change was published Tuesday in The Lancet, based on more than 50 leading academic, clinical and patient organizations, as well as feedback from more than 14,000 women with the condition.
“The term PCOS is inaccurate, implying pathological ovarian cysts, obscuring diverse endocrine and metabolic features, and contributing to delayed diagnosis, fragmented care, and stigma, while curtailing research and policy framing,” the study shared. “Building on an international mandate for change, we outline an unprecedented, rigorous, multistep global consensus process for the name change.”
PMOS is a condition that affects hormones, metabolism, and ovarian function, often resulting in irregular periods, elevated androgen levels, and an increased risk of conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. “For many in the PCOS community, today is complicated,” said Sasha Ottey, Executive Director of PCOS Challenge in a statement.
A new name that accurately reflects the condition was prioritized over keeping the PCOS acronym or choosing a generic name. The implementation approach focused on evolution rather than drastic transformation. The preferred terms, polyendocrine, metabolic, and ovarian, highlight the multisystem pathophysiology of the condition. As a result, the consensus new name became “polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome.” According to experts, the name improves accuracy by omitting the mention of cysts and instead capturing the dysfunctions related to endocrine, metabolic, and ovarian systems.
“Some are concerned it will cause more harm than the problems it aims to fix,” Ottey said. “Some are exhausted by decades of misdiagnosis, dismissal, and unmet need. Some welcome the change. All of these responses are real, and all of them belong in this community. A change of this scale carries real risks across the ecosystem, and many of those risks have not been adequately assessed, openly disclosed, or weighed against the infrastructure people rely on. This process did not adequately meet that standard.”
Though there is no single way to receive a diagnosis or a cure, patients are monitoring their symptoms through treatments, weight loss medication, and consulting with specialists.