A medical condition previously known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has officially been renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) following a global review involving medical experts and patient advocacy groups. The condition, which affects about one in eight women worldwide, impacts hormones, metabolism, reproductive health, mental health, skin conditions and weight regulation.
More than 50 patient and professional organisations, including the Endocrine Society, participated in the process leading to the new name. According to a statement released by the society, experts said the former name had created misconceptions for years by focusing mainly on ovarian cysts, despite evidence showing that abnormal cysts are not necessarily present in affected patients.
The renaming process was led by Helena Teede of Monash University and Monash Health. She said the previous terminology contributed to delayed diagnoses, poor awareness and inadequate treatment for many women living with the condition.“What we now know is that there is actually no increase in abnormal cysts on the ovary, and the diverse features of the condition were often unappreciated,” she said.
“It was heart-breaking to see the delayed diagnosis, limited awareness and inadequate care afforded those affected by this neglected condition”, Teede stated.
The findings and details of the renaming process were published in The Lancet after 14 years of international collaboration involving researchers, clinicians and women living with the condition. The initiative gathered more than 22,000 survey responses and included workshops with patients and multidisciplinary health experts from several countries.
Researchers also published a related paper showing there is no increase in abnormal ovarian cysts associated with the condition, reinforcing calls for a new medical description.
A three-year transition process to the new name will include an international awareness campaign targeting healthcare professionals, governments, researchers and patients ahead of full implementation in the 2028 international guideline update.
Teede described the renaming as a landmark moment in women’s healthcare and one of the largest global efforts to rename a medical condition.“The agreed principles of the new name included patient benefit, scientific accuracy, ease of communication, avoidance of stigma, cultural appropriateness and accompanying implementation,” she said.
Terhi Piltonen of Oulu University said cultural sensitivity was considered during the process to avoid terms that could heighten stigma in some countries.