PCOS has a new name. why it matters
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has officially been renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) following an international consensus published in The Lancet this month.
At first glance, it may seem like a small change, but for many women, it feels significant.
The term PCOS has long been criticised as misleading. Many women with PCOS do not actually have ovarian cysts (the “cysts” were typically immature follicles), and the condition affects far more than just the ovaries.
PMOS better reflects what this condition really is: a complex hormonal and metabolic condition that can impact:
Ovulation and menstrual cycles
Insulin resistance, weight and metabolism
Skin and hair changes
Mood and energy
Fertility and pregnancy outcomes
Signs and symptoms can look different from person to person, but may include:
Irregular, absent, or painful periods
Acne or oily skin
Excess facial or body hair
Hair thinning or hair loss
Difficulty losing weight or unexplained weight changes
Fatigue and energy crashes
Sugar cravings or blood sugar instability
Difficulty conceiving
Anxiety, low mood, or feeling “off” hormonally
For me personally, this shift in language feels meaningful. I was diagnosed with PCOS in my late 20s when trying to conceive. At the time, of my diagnosis, it was poorly explained to me, I thought I had cysts on my ovaries (I didn’t) and the focus was entirely on fertility though to be fair I was trying to conceive. Looking back, the signs were there much earlier. As a teenager, I had irregular and painful periods, my hair was thin and skin bad but like many young women, I was prescribed the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) and the symptoms were masked rather than investigated further.
Like me, many women spend years managing or masking symptoms without fully understanding what is happening in their bodies, only discovering an underlying hormonal imbalance later when trying to conceive or navigating other hormonal transitions.
Hopefully, this name change will bring a broader awareness of PMOS and a growing understanding that this is a whole-body hormonal and metabolic condition. Hopefully women will be identified and supported earlier with treatment that is not solely focused on the OCP but also looks at nutrition and blood sugar regulation, exercise, stress management, mental health and sleep.
The new terminology acknowledges what many women with PCOS have known for years: this is not simply an “ovarian condition.” It is a whole-body condition that deserves more nuanced, individualised care.
While the name change will not fix everything, it is a step toward better understanding, earlier diagnosis, and more holistic conversations around women’s health and in my opinion that can only be a positive thing!
If you would like to know more about PMOS and how TCM and acupuncture can support PMOS please reach out to us at Seven Points Wellness.
