A condition affecting around one in eight women has officially been renamed following a major breakthrough in understanding the illness.
Previously known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the condition will now be called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS, to better reflect its true medical nature.
The change follows a 14-year international study involving researchers, doctors and more than 22,000 patient surveys.
PMOS affects fertility, hormones, skin, weight and metabolic health, but experts say the previous name placed too much focus on ovarian cysts, which many women with the condition do not actually have.
Monash Centre for Health Research & Implementation director Helena Teede said the old name had contributed to confusion and delayed care.
“What we now know is that there is actually no increase in abnormal cysts on the ovary,” Professor Teede said.
“It was heartbreaking to see the delayed diagnosis, limited awareness and inadequate care afforded those affected by this neglected condition.”
Researchers say the condition is caused by hormone signalling issues that can affect the entire body, rather than simply ovarian cysts.
Symptoms can include irregular periods, fertility problems, acne, excess hair growth and increased risks of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Doctors diagnose the condition if a patient meets at least two of three key criteria: elevated androgen hormones, irregular menstrual cycles, or signs linked to polycystic ovaries through ultrasound or hormone testing.
Professor Teede said treatment needed to be tailored to each individual because symptoms varied widely.
While there is no cure, the condition can often be managed through lifestyle changes, exercise and medication to regulate hormones or insulin levels.
The condition’s impact on fertility has also led to widespread misconceptions.
“There’s a falsehood that goes around that if you’ve got this condition, you can’t have children,” Professor Teede said.
“And there were times where young women were told that devastatingly.”
She said the condition’s effect on ovulation was highly treatable and encouraged women to speak with their doctors early about reproductive planning.
“What we do know is that they’re very likely to meet the family size that they want,” she said.
Australian woman Lorna Berry, who lives with the condition and helped drive the renaming campaign, said the change would improve understanding and care for future generations.
“This is about accountability and progress,” Berry said.
“It is about my daughters and the countless women yet to be born who deserve clarity and equitable healthcare from the very beginning.”
The new PMOS name is expected to be fully adopted globally by 2028, alongside an international education campaign aimed at improving awareness and diagnosis.
Image: Shutterstock
