PCOS has been renamed PMOS - Here's what it means for your clients

You may be aware of the name change to PCOS – now PMOS. The condition affecting around 1 in 8 women worldwide has a new name that reflects the true nature of the disease – 'Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome'. This change is long overdue and it's actually a really positive step forward for women's health.

The new name explained

As of 12 May 2026, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been officially renamed 'polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome', or 'PMOS', following a landmark global consensus study published in The Lancet. Over 11 years, around 22,000 people were consulted - doctors, researchers, patients and charities - making this one of the most thorough renaming processes in modern medicine. More than 50 patient and professional organisations took part, including the Endocrine Society.

The new name might sound like a mouthful, but it actually tells you far more about what's really going on in the body:

• Poly - Many
• Endocrine - Hormonal systems
• Metabolic - How the body processes energy
• Ovarian - Ovaries
• Syndrome - Symptoms that occur together

In short, it's a reflection of the complex, whole-body hormonal condition that affects weight, metabolism, skin, mental health and the reproductive system - not just the ovaries.

The name 'PCOS' was misleading in several important ways. The word 'cysts' implied that the condition was primarily about abnormal growths on the ovaries, which led to confusion, missed diagnoses and women being dismissed or undertreated for years.

Dr Helena Teede, who chaired the renaming process, put it plainly: the name "was very clear that it was inaccurate".

For too long, PCOS was treated as a reproductive issue — something for gynaecologists to manage — when in reality it's a complex, long-term hormonal disorder touching almost every system in the body. The old name contributed to stigma, fragmented care, and a frustrating lack of understanding, both in medical settings and in wider society.

The new name, PMOS, puts the hormonal and metabolic nature of the condition front and centre, where it belongs.

Supporting clients with PMOS in clinic?

One of the most important things the new name does is remind us just how wide-ranging this condition really is. PMOS can affect:

Hormones

Fluctuating oestrogen, testosterone and insulin levels. Hormonal panels such as a Dutch test can provide a lot of information. Saliva analysis conducted over a month also provides valuable insights and both of these give you a starting place for hormone-balancing therapeutics. Other tests that may be useful include beta-glucuronidase, sex-hormone-binding globulin and dihydrotestosterone. 

Metabolism

Insulin resistance and weight management challenges occur in almost all people with this condition. Insulin should be tested along with HbA1C and standard glucose tolerance tests to give a clear and thorough understanding. Depending on results, a low-carb or intermittent fasting programme may be beneficial. 

Reproductive health

Irregular periods and fertility issues come hand in hand with hormonal and metabolic issues. Ensuring enough nourishing food with plenty of essential fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins, B vitamins and inositol, and minerals such as zinc, copper, boron and magnesium. 

Skin

Acne, oily skin and excess hair growth are common problems in women with PMOS. As well as supporting your client with skin-supporting nutrients, it may be beneficial to read around other techniques that can undo some of the damage, such as electrolysis, laser hair removal and skin therapies that help reduce scarring from acne, while you are supporting hormone balance. 

Mental health

Higher rates of anxiety and depression occur in women with PMOS. Some nutrition therapy can be helpful; however, it is beneficial to make connections with mental health professionals who can also offer support. 

DR.VEGAN's women's health range includes a number of relevant options worth exploring.

Why this rename really matters

Patient representative Lorna Berry captured it beautifully: "This is about accountability and progress. It is about my daughters, their daughters, and the countless women yet to be born."

PMOS is not a gynaecological footnote. It is a serious, complex, lifelong condition that deserves to be understood, treated, and talked about properly. The rename won't change symptoms, but it is a meaningful step towards the recognition and care that every woman with this condition deserves.