A medical condition previously known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 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 condition and weight regulation.
More than 50 patient and professional organisations, including the Endocrine Society, participated in the process that led to the new name.
According to a press release by The Endocrine society on Tuesday, experts explained that the former name, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, had for years created misconceptions about the condition 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 an endocrinologist, Professor Helena Teede of Monash University and Monash Health.
According to Teede, 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.
“It was heart-breaking to see the delayed diagnosis, limited awareness and inadequate care afforded those affected by this neglected condition.
“While international guidelines have advanced awareness and care, a name change was the next critical step towards recognition and improvement in the long-term impacts of this condition,” said Teede, who is an Endocrine Society member.
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 reportedly gathered over 22,000 survey responses and included workshops with patients and multidisciplinary health experts from different countries.
Researchers also published a related paper showing there is no increase in abnormal ovarian cysts associated with the condition, reinforcing the need for a new medical description.
The three-year transition process to the new name will include an international awareness campaign targeted at 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.
“This change was driven with and for those affected by the condition and we are proud to have arrived at a new name that finally accurately reflects the complexity of the condition. Make no mistake, this is a landmark moment that will lead to desperately needed worldwide advancements in clinical practice and research,” she said.
Professor Terhi Piltonen of Oulu University said cultural sensitivity was also considered during the process to avoid terms that may increase stigma in some countries.
“It was essential that the new name was scientifically correct but also considered across diverse cultural contexts to avoid certain reproductive terms that could heighten stigma and be harmful for women in some countries. This made a culturally and internationally informed consultation critical to getting it right,” Piltonen said.
Lorna Berry, an Australian woman who has PMOS and played a key role in the renaming process, said the result will be life changing.
“This is about accountability and progress. It is about my daughters, their daughters, and the countless women yet to be born. We deserve clarity, understanding, and equitable healthcare from the very beginning,” she said.
Meanwhile, patient advocate and Chair of Verity (PCOS UK), Rachel Morman said the new name better reflects the hormonal and metabolic nature of the condition.
“It is fantastic that the new name now leads with hormones and recognizes the metabolic dimension of the condition.
“This shift will reframe the conversation and demand that it is taken as seriously as the long-term, complex health condition it is. Despite decades of tireless advocacy to improve awareness, we recognized that the risk of change would be worth the reward,” she said.
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