After over a decade of research and campaigning for a name change, the European Congress of Endocrinology announced the official change of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). This decision was published in The Lancet on May 12.
The newly titled polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome is a metabolic and hormone condition affecting 1 in 8 women worldwide. The WHO estimates that about 70 percent of women with this condition do not know they have it.
This syndrome, previously thought of as just a gynecologic condition, in fact affects the whole body, including the endocrine system, reproductive system, and mental health. Common symptoms include imbalanced hormones, irregular or absent periods, metabolic dysfunction, changes in hair and skin, and infertility.
Sharrón L. Manuel, MD, PhD, FACOG, a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist at Keck Medicine of USC, said that the previous term of PCOS was criticized for being “inaccurate and misleading.” That title, she said, “implied the presence of pathological cysts.”
“[PCOS] overemphasizes the ovaries,” Dr. Manuel told BlackDoctor Pro. “The name ‘PCOS’ suggests a purely ovarian or reproductive problem, but the condition actually involves multiple hormone systems and metabolic pathways, affecting the entire body. [PCOS] obscures the metabolic component. One of the most important drivers of this condition is insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction, which are not reflected in the former name.”
Due to PCOS centering cysts as a major patient complaint, women struggling to get diagnosed are often turned away if they don’t have cysts. This also led to stigma around the condition as well as delayed diagnoses.
According to Dr. Manuel, this shift is more than just a simple name change. “It has real clinical and patient-centered benefits, allowing clinicians to better explain this condition to their patients,” she said.
LaKeischa W. McMillan, MD, an integrative OB-GYN and hormone specialist, added that this change emphasizes that PMOS does not have one single cause or treatment.
“Because PMOS involves multiple aspects of metabolic and hormonal dysregulation, treatment may require a more personalized and comprehensive approach that addresses the various systems affected throughout the body,” Dr. McMillan told BlackDoctor Pro.
In addition to helping individuals receive quicker diagnoses, this change promotes the importance of integrative medicine, which incorporates an array of physical factors, including mental health and cardiovascular risk, Dr. Manuel explained.
A name change like PMOS is “not just semantics,” Dr. Manuel said. “It directly shapes how patients are diagnosed, treated, and even how they understand their own health. This helps clinicians take a more comprehensive, whole-body approach to care.”
This switch can remove barriers for women struggling with symptoms and having difficulty receiving a diagnosis. Experts hope this transition can reduce stigma around the condition and enable women to advocate for themselves more effectively.
Dr. McMillan added that many women internalize their diagnosis as something that they did wrong in terms of their reproductive health.
“Giving conditions like PMOS the proper name is important because it encourages a more
comprehensive, team-based approach to care,” Dr. McMillan said. “It also helps patients understand that there is not one single cause or one single solution for the condition.”
For Black women, re-naming PCOS could have a significant impact on how they are diagnosed and treated. Black women are disproportionately affected by PMOS and have historically been dismissed and undertreated by medical practitioners. With the treatment of PMOS now encompassing the whole body as opposed to just the ovaries and potential cysts, Black women can hopefully receive thorough care and support from their physicians, as well as better advocate for themselves and their bodies.
By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.pro You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.
Are you a healthcare professional? Register with us today!