NHS Urges PMOS Checks for 4 Million Women With Irregular Periods
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 1
NHS Urges PMOS Checks for 4 Million Women With Irregular Periods
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 1
Summary
NICE draft guidance says 3 million to 4 million people in the UK with irregular, very short, long or absent periods should be investigated for PMOS, a condition it says is often underdiagnosed and inconsistently managed.
Blood tests for male and female hormone levels should be offered for suspected cases, with ultrasounds in some cases, and the guidance says PMOS should not be ruled out after menopause or in patients with eating disorders.
Annual reviews are recommended after diagnosis to track menstrual symptoms, excess hair growth, cardiovascular health, diabetes, obesity and mental health, while IVF should be offered to eligible women under standard NICE criteria.
Laser hair removal and light therapies for excess hair growth are not recommended because NICE says they are not cost-effective; offering them in England could cost the NHS up to £100 million a year.
The draft covers girls over 10, adult women, trans men and non-binary people not on gender reassignment treatment, with consultation open until Aug. 11 and final guidance due in December 2026.
With 70% of cases undiagnosed, can the NHS handle the millions of new patients its landmark PMOS guidance aims to find?
As PMOS gains global recognition, why is the UK's new plan saving £100M by cutting treatment for a psychologically distressing symptom?
Annual Reviews for PMOS: NICE Draft Guidance Aims to Transform Care for Millions in the UK
Overview
The NHS is introducing annual health checks for people with Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), following new draft guidance from NICE. This marks a major step toward proactive care, aiming to improve health outcomes for the many affected, including women, girls over 10, trans men, and non-binary individuals. PMOS, which impacts about one in eight women, is identified by symptoms like irregular periods and high testosterone. The new guidance expands support to a wider group, signaling a new era of consistent monitoring and better management for this complex condition.