PCOS Has Been Renamed PMOS – Here’s What That Means For You

If you have been diagnosed with PCOS or suspect you have PMOS, you might have seen the news this week. On 12 May 2026, a landmark paper published in The Lancet officially renamed polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS.

It’s one letter different in the acronym. But the reasoning behind it, and what it means for diagnosis, treatment and the millions of people living with this condition, is significant.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Why has PCOS been renamed?

The short answer: because the old name was wrong and that had real consequences.

“Polycystic ovary syndrome” implies the condition is defined by cysts on the ovaries. In reality, those are not actually pathological ovarian cysts. What is visible on ultrasound are small antral follicles – immature follicles that haven’t developed properly, not cysts in the clinical sense. Describing the condition by a feature it doesn’t actually have has caused confusion among patients and clinicians alike for decades.

More importantly, the old name obscured what PCOS actually is: a complex, whole-body hormonal and metabolic condition that affects far more than the ovaries. The new name recognises that the condition is not  primarily a gynaecological disorder, but instead a complex, multisystem condition involving endocrine, metabolic, reproductive, dermatological and psychological health.

The name PCOS is misleading – it focuses on ‘cysts’ and the ovaries, when the condition is much more complex than that. This has led to missed diagnoses and people not getting the right treatment. For an estimated 1 in 8 women worldwide – over 170 million people – that’s not a semantic issue, it’s a healthcare one.

What does PMOS stand for and what does it mean?

PMOS: Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome

Each word in the new name is deliberate:

Polyendocrine – reflects that this is fundamentally a hormonal condition, involving multiple endocrine disruptions. People with PMOS have a disturbance in the endocrine (or chemical messenger) system of the body, which can lead to widespread impacts. This includes abnormalities in androgen production, insulin signalling, ovarian hormone regulation and neuroendocrine function.

Metabolic – acknowledges the significant metabolic dimension of the condition, including insulin resistance, diabetes risk and cardiovascular risk. For many people with PMOS, the metabolic features are as impactful or more so than the reproductive ones.

Ovarian – retained in the new name because the ovaries remain central to understanding the condition. Abnormalities in follicle development and ovulation are all key features of PMOS. The ovary is involved, it’s just not the only thing going on, and it’s not cysts that define it.

Syndrome – correctly reflects that this is a cluster of features, not a single-cause disease.

How did changing PCOS to PMOS happen?

This wasn’t a quick decision. The name change followed more than a decade of vigorous debate and the most robust disease-renaming process in history.

The process was led by Professor Helena Teede, Director of Monash University’s Monash Centre for Health Research & Implementation, alongside the International Androgen Excess and PCOS Society, 56 patient and professional organisations including Verity PCOS UK  and garnered more than 22,000 survey responses from patients and multidisciplinary health professionals across all world regions.

The revised name was introduced in a paper published in The Lancet and presented at the European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague.

“It is fantastic that the new name now leads with hormones and recognises the metabolic dimension of the condition.”

– Rachel Morman, Chair of Verity PCOS UK

How is PMOS diagnosed?

Nothing about the diagnostic criteria has fundamentally changed. If you were diagnosed with PCOS, that diagnosis still stands. The condition is the same, the name is what’s changing.

To receive a PMOS/ PCOS diagnosis, a person must meet at least two of the following three criteria:

1. Irregular or absent menstrual cycles. Irregular cycles indicate that ovulation is not occurring regularly, a key feature of PMOS/ PCOS. According to the 2023 International Evidence-Based PCOS Guidelines, irregular cycles are defined as fewer than eight cycles per year, or cycle intervals outside the 21–35 day range, in women who are at least three years post-menarche (which is your first period).

2. Clinical or biochemical signs of high androgens (hyperandrogenism). This means either physical symptoms associated with elevated androgens such as excess facial or body hair (hirsutism), acne, scalp hair thinning or elevated androgen levels on a blood test – typically testosterone. 

3. Polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM). This refers to the appearance of the ovaries on an ultrasound scan, specifically a high number of small antral follicles (the immature follicles that house eggs) in one or both ovaries, or an increased ovarian volume. Alternatively, a high AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) level on a blood test can be used as a marker of PCOM when an ultrasound isn’t available or appropriate.

Crucially, “60% of women with the condition only need those first two – they don’t need the ovaries assessed in any way,” says Professor Teede. “For the other 30–40%, they can either have a blood test or an ultrasound, and arguably, a blood test is actually cheaper and much more convenient than an internal ultrasound.”

The conversation about your condition should broaden

For too long, people with PCOS were told it was “just about your periods” or “just a fertility issue.” The new name makes explicit that PMOS involves the endocrine system, metabolism, skin, mental health and cardiovascular health, not just the ovaries and reproductive function.

“Language matters in medicine. The previous name often led to misconceptions and stigma, particularly around fertility. This change helps shift the conversation toward overall health rather than a single aspect of the condition.”

– Dr Melanie Cree

What actually causes PMOS and what does it affect?

The name change is an opportunity to understand PMOS more completely. It’s not a condition that starts and ends with your cycle.

Hormonal disruption (the “polyendocrine” part) PMOS involves elevated androgens like testosterone which can disrupt ovulation, cause acne, trigger unwanted hair growth (hirsutism) and contribute to hair thinning. The androgen excess in PMOS stems from both the ovaries and, in some people, the adrenal glands.

Insulin resistance and metabolic health The majority of people with PMOS have some degree of insulin resistance, meaning their cells don’t respond to insulin as efficiently as they should. Elevated insulin further stimulates androgen production from the ovaries. Over time, unmanaged insulin resistance increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Ovulatory dysfunction Irregular or absent ovulation is one of the defining features of PMOS. Without regular ovulation, cycles become unpredictable or absent entirely, which has implications for fertility.

Reproductive health and fertility PMOS is one of the most common causes of irregular cycles and ovulatory infertility. Most people with PMOS can conceive, often with lifestyle changes, medication to induce ovulation, or fertility treatment, but understanding the condition early gives you the best foundation for planning.

Mental health Depression, anxiety and disordered eating are more significantly  prevalent in people with PMOS than in the general population. This isn’t coincidental, the hormonal and metabolic disruptions involved have effects on mood and the experience of navigating a frequently misunderstood condition adds its own burden.

Skin and hair Elevated androgens drive the skin and hair symptoms many people associate with PCOS/PMOS like hormonal acne (particularly along the jaw and chin), hirsutism, and androgenic hair thinning. These are often the first visible signs of the condition.

Why does the name change from PCOS to PMOS matter?

It’s worth sitting with this for a moment, because the consequences of the wrong name have been significant for millions of people.

Delayed diagnosis – people were told they couldn’t have PCOS because they “didn’t have cysts” on ultrasound, or because their ovaries looked normal. This is medically inaccurate, but the name invited confusion. The condition remains underdiagnosed in up to 70% of affected patients.

Missed metabolic features – because the name pointed to the ovaries, the insulin resistance, cardiovascular risk and metabolic features were frequently overlooked or undermanaged. People were treated for their periods and sent away.

Stigma around weight – the metabolic dimension of PCOS led to years of patients being told to “just lose weight” as though the condition were a lifestyle choice, rather than a complex endocrine disorder that itself makes weight management more difficult.

Nutrition is a cornerstone of hormonal balance and fertility, yet finding evidence-based advice can be a challenge. Our Registered Nutritionists and Dietitians provide science-backed, 1:1 guidance tailored to your specific life stage and health goals. If you’re ready to optimise your health with a personalised nutritional care plan, book an online Nutrition Consultation.

Fertility focus over holistic care – the condition was frequently framed purely as a fertility issue, meaning people without immediate fertility goals often received little support for the broader health implications.

Think you might have PMOS or already have a PCOS diagnosis?

Here’s what hasn’t changed since this update, the experience of living with this condition. The irregular cycles, the acne, the fatigue. The years of being told your symptoms were normal, or that you’d get answers when you wanted to start a family.

What has changed is the clinical community’s recognition that this is a complex, whole-body hormonal and metabolic condition and that it deserves to be treated as one.

That’s been Hertility’s position from the start.

Our Advanced Hormone & Fertility Test already tests across the full PMOS picture, we test for up to 10 key markers linked to PMOS/PCOS like testosterone, SHBG, AMH, thyroid and prolactin. It screens for PMOS alongside up to 18 other conditions, and gives you a personalised care plan written by clinicians to help you understand your next steps..

If you have a diagnosis of PCOS, or suspect you might have PMOS, our Online Health Assessment can help you understand which tests and next steps are right for you.

Hertility also offers access to nutritionists and clinical guidance to help you:

• Manage symptoms like insulin resistance and weight changes
• Support ovulation and cycle regularity
• Improve long-term metabolic and reproductive health

This is especially important because PMOS / PCOS is not just a reproductive condition, it also affects metabolic health over time.

Hertility doesn’t just flag possible PMOS / PCOS, it can support you through the full diagnostic pathway, combining hormone testing, ultrasound scans, and specialist care in one place. For many people, this means faster answers, clearer next steps, and a more confident diagnosis, without navigating the system alone.

FAQs about PCOS and PMOS

Is PCOS the same as PMOS?

Yes, PMOS is the new name for PCOS. The condition is the same; the terminology has changed to better reflect its true nature as a hormonal and metabolic disorder rather than a condition defined by ovarian cysts.

What is the difference between PCOS and PMOS?

PMOS is just the new name for PCOS. The condition is the same; the terminology has changed to better reflect its true nature as a hormonal and metabolic disorder rather than a condition defined by ovarian cysts.

Does the name change mean the diagnostic criteria have changed?

No. The core criteria for diagnosis of PMOS remains the same as PCOS. You need to have 2 of the 3 to get a diagnosis of PMOS – irregular or no periods, high androgens in a blood test or symptoms of high androgen or evidence of polycystic ovarian morphology (now assessed via AMH or ultrasound).

Why is it still called “ovarian” if cysts aren’t the issue?

The ovaries remain central to PMOS, the condition involves abnormalities in how follicles develop in the ovaries, how the ovaries produce hormones, and how ovulation is regulated. Removing “ovarian” entirely would have been inaccurate in a different direction. The key change is removing “cystic” , the term that created the most confusion.

I’ve had PCOS for years. Does any of this change my treatment?

Not immediately, but the broader framing should. If your care has focused primarily on your cycles or fertility, the PMOS name change is a prompt to ensure the metabolic and cardiovascular dimensions of your condition are also being monitored and managed. This includes regular checks on blood glucose, blood pressure and lipids, alongside the hormonal picture.

References

1. Teede HJ et al. (2026). Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. The Lancet. DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00717-8. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00717-8/fulltext
2. Endocrine Society (2026). Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome: New name to improve diagnosis and care.https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2026/pcos-name-change
3. EMJ Reviews (2026). PCOS Renamed PMOS in Landmark Global Consensus.https://www.emjreviews.com/reproductive-health/news/pcos-renamed-pmos-in-landmark-global-consensus-to-improve-care/
4. Time (2026). The Condition Known as PCOS Has a New Name. https://time.com/article/2026/05/12/pcos-new-name-pmos/
5. Helena Teede et al. International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 2023. Monash University. https://doi.org/10.26180/24003834.v1 
6. Melanie Gibson-Helm, Helena Teede, Andrea Dunaif, Anuja Dokras, Delayed Diagnosis and a Lack of Information Associated With Dissatisfaction in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 102, Issue 2, 1 February 2017, Pages 604–612, https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2016-2963
7. Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS consensus workshop group. Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril 2004a;81:19–25.
8. Rui Wang, Ben Willem J. Mol, The Rotterdam criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome: evidence-based criteria?, Human Reproduction, Volume 32, Issue 2, 1 February 2017, Pages 261–264, https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dew287
9. Szkodziak, P., Szkodziak, F., Trzeciak, K. et al. Insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes and the vicious cycle model in its etiology. Sci Rep 15, 42649 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-26718-2