PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) has a new name: PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome).
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 who have PMOS.
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 diagnoses 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 is 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. A survey that was filled out by 14,000 patients and health professionals across multiple regions brought the change. According to researchers, the old term PCOS inaccurately implies that there are always ovarian cysts associated with PCOS.
Additionally, PMOS affects 170 million people around the globe.
There have 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 gone 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. The AJMC backed this opinion. They said:
“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.”
If you are someone who 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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