Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Undergoes Name Change: Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is receiving a new, more accurate name: polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). This change was detailed in a study published in The Lancet, which emphasizes the updated term more accurately by omitting cysts to instead capture the endocrine, metabolic, and ovarian dysfunction of the condition.¹

What is PMOS?

PMOS is estimated to affect about 170 million women of reproductive age worldwide and is diagnosed based on criteria including oligo-anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries or elevated anti-Müllerian hormone, with adolescents requiring the first 2 criteria. Although historically viewed as a gynecological disorder, growing evidence and international guidelines show that PMOS is actually a complex endocrine condition that involves disturbances in insulin, androgen, neuroendocrine, and ovarian hormones, with metabolic, reproductive, psychological, and dermatological manifestations that contribute to significant health and economic burdens.¹

The current name—PCOS—does not accurately reflect the condition’s multisystem nature because pathological ovarian cysts are not increased, despite arrested follicular development being common. This mischaracterization significantly contributes to delayed diagnosis, persistent gaps in knowledge, as well as patient dissatisfaction, with up to 70% of affected individuals remaining undiagnosed.¹

Since 2012, experts, patient advocacy groups, and international organizations have repeatedly called for a name change to better represent the condition; however, efforts have stalled because of certain challenges, including lack of global consensus, alignment among groups, agreement on an alternative name, and implementation strategies.¹ Recent global surveys and workshops that involved patients and health care professionals found widespread confusion surrounding the name and a strong support for an internationally coordinated renaming process, prompting a global initiative led by advocacy groups and research organizations to pursue a formal name change.¹

“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,” said Professor Helena Teede, director of the Monash Centre for Health Research & Implementation and an endocrinologist at Monash Health, and the one who led the name-change process. “It was heartbreaking to see the delayed diagnosis, limited awareness, and inadequate care afforded those affected by this neglected condition. While Monash-led 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.”²

What is the Transition Plan for the Name Change?

The study authors lay out a 3-year transition plan for the name change from PCOS to PMOS. The 3-year plan serves as a managed period designed to support global adoption and ensure sustainable change across health systems, research, and policy. According to the authors, this transition is formally designated as Stage 7 of a comprehensive 8-stage implementation strategy.¹

The key components of this 3-year transition plan include monitoring and evaluation, with continuous monitoring and an embedded evaluation strategy to assess uptake of the new name. The plan also allows for scientific refinement of the terminology as understanding of the condition evolves, including consideration of emerging evidence regarding condition subtypes. Another major milestone is the formal integration of the new name into the International Guideline, which is utilized in 195 countries and is scheduled for its next update in 2028.¹

Further, this 3-year period is supported by several stages of the broader implementation roadmap. These include the development of multilingual resources for patients and clinicians, as well as a global communication strategy involving society toolkits and professional education programs. The transition also focuses on health system integration by incorporating PMOS into electronic health records, medical textbooks, and health information systems. In addition, policy and research alignment efforts involve engaging research funders, journal editors, and governments to adopt the new name in research classifications and funding systems. Formal engagement with the World Health Organization is also planned to support integration of the new terminology into the International Classification of Diseases.¹

Essentially, the goal of this managed transition is to provide a smooth shift that enhances awareness, diagnosis, and quality of care while avoiding the confusion and stigma associated with the previous name.¹

“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,” Terhi Piltonen, MD, PhD, president of the International Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society and professor and international colead from Oulu University and Oulu University Hospital, Finland. “This made a culturally and internationally informed consultation critical to getting it right.”²

REFERENCES

1. Teede HJ, Khomami MB, Morman R, et al. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. The Lancet. 2026. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00717-8

2. Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome: New name to improve diagnosis and care of condition affecting 170 million women worldwide. Monash University. News release. May 12, 2026. Accessed May 12, 2026. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1127647