PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) has a new name it is now called PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome). The word “cystic” has been changed to “endocrine” and “metabolic’ was added. These changes have been made to better represent the condition. The focus on ovarian cysts has prolonged diagnosis’s and steered attention away from other symptoms and side effects.
PMOS focuses on symptoms such as insulin resistance, inflammation, hormone disruption, and ovulation dysfunction. Unlike PCOS where the diagnosis was mainly about cysts on the ovaries. However a lot of people who have been diagnosed with PMOS do not have cysts on their ovaries.
The name change did not happen suddenly. The name change happened thanks to a survey that was filled out by 14.000 patients and health professionals across multiple regions. According to researchers, the old term PCOS inaccurately implies that there is always ovarian cysts associated with PCOS. Additionally, PMOS affects 170 million people around the globe.
The name change is supposed to bring diagnostic clarity, help to reduce stigma around PMOS, and strengthen consistency with research. New research on PMOS will study conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, Mental Health Conditions, and Pregnancy Complications. These conditions may arise in people that have PMOS.
There has been mixed opinions when it comes to the name change and how it may affect diagnoses in the future. Some people are happy that the name has changed to be more inclusive of the other symptoms and side effects of PMOS. However, people believe that the money that went towards the survey could have just went to research. They also believe that the name change was unnecessary.
This name change came during an odd time, especially with the decline in birth rates and the rise of the far right. This opinion is backed by a quote from the AJMC. The quote is “This opens doors for treatments that target the underlying metabolic causes, such as managing insulin resistance, to restore spontaneous ovulation and improve pregnancy outcomes, which are often hindered by the interplay of these complex endocrine abnormalities.”. Maybe researchers do want to help find a cure or help find a way to make PMOS more manageable. Or maybe they only care about it because it can affect pregnancies.
If you are someone that suffers from symptoms such as irregular/ missed periods, excessive facial or body hair, severe acne, weight gain especially around your abdomen, and thinning of hair do not hesitate to get checked. For more information please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/.
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