Global Consortium Renames PCOS as PMOS, a Condition Affecting Up to 13% of Women

6 articles · Updated · Scientific American · May 19

A Lancet policy paper from a global consortium has renamed polycystic ovary syndrome to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, drawing on thousands of patient surveys and input from 56 medical and patient societies.
The group said the old term was misleading because many patients do not have ovarian “cysts” at all; the structures are immature follicles, and diagnosis often hinges instead on androgen levels and irregular periods.
WHO estimates the condition affects up to 13% of women worldwide, while as many as 70% of cases go undiagnosed, a gap the consortium says the clearer name could help reduce.
The new label also reflects evidence that the disorder extends beyond reproductive health, with links to hypertension, gestational diabetes and endometrial cancer, and similar metabolic risks seen in some male relatives.
The renaming is the first step in an eight-stage adoption plan, with the term potentially entering the International Classification of Diseases in its next update in 2028.

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