PCOS renamed PMOS after global effort to improve diagnosis and care for millions of women
Consensus Summary
After over a decade of global collaboration, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been officially renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) to better reflect its hormonal and metabolic impacts. The change, announced on May 12, 2026, at the European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague and published in *The Lancet*, was led by Prof Helena Teede and supported by 56 medical and patient societies worldwide. The old name was deemed misleading, as many women with the condition do not have ovarian cysts, leading to delayed diagnoses and inadequate care. PMOS affects approximately 170 million women globally and is linked to risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health issues. Research confirmed that women with PMOS do not have a higher rate of abnormal ovarian cysts, reinforcing the need for a more accurate name. The renaming process involved over 22,000 survey responses and patient advocacy, with the new name set to be fully implemented in the 2028 international guidelines. Experts and patients hope the change will improve awareness, reduce misdiagnoses, and lead to better treatment for the conditionâs whole-body effects.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) after 14 years of global collaboration involving 56 medical and patient societies across six continents.
- The new name was announced at the European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague on May 12, 2026, and published in *The Lancet*.
- The renaming was spearheaded by Prof Helena Teede, director of Melbourneâs Monash Centre for Health Research & Implementation.
- PMOS affects approximately 170 million women worldwide, or one in eight women globally.
- The term 'polycystic' was deemed misleading because many women with the condition do not have ovarian cysts, and the name contributed to delayed diagnosis and inadequate care.
- The new name emphasizes the conditionâs hormonal and metabolic impacts, including risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health issues.
- Research published in 2026 found women with PMOS do not have a higher rate of abnormal ovarian cysts than women without the condition.
- The name change was driven by patient advocacy, with over 300 Guardian readers and 22,000 survey responses supporting the initiative.
- The new name will be fully implemented in the 2028 update to international guidelines for managing the condition.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Maddy Mavrikis, diagnosed at 15, was told she would 'probably never have children' and later learned this was incorrect.
- Mavrikisâ mother, who works in pathology, questioned the GP about the name 'PCOS' being misleading, as her daughter had no cysts on her ovaries.
- A Guardian reader named Amy, diagnosed at 14, later developed stage 4B endometrial cancer at 37, linked to undiagnosed PMOS-related risks.
- Lorna Berry, a patient advocate, was diagnosed at 32 after 17 years of symptoms and played a key role in the renaming process.
- The US National Institutes of Health recommended renaming PCOS in 2012, and academic discussions about renaming began as early as 1995.
- A Guardian reader named Louisa was told by a doctor in her 30s that her symptoms 'didnât matter unless she wanted to get pregnant'.
- An anonymous Guardian reader was dismissed by doctors for years, with one telling her to 'eat more vegetables' after blood tests.
- The Guardianâs Matilda Boseley produced a video explaining common misconceptions about PMOS.
- Terhi Piltonen, lead author of the cyst study and professor at Finlandâs University of Oulu, emphasized the goal of improving patient care with the name change.
- Magdalena Simonis, a GP and womenâs health expert from the University of Melbourne, submitted a survey response supporting the name change on behalf of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
- Hannah Bambra, 34, lives with PMOS and hopes the name change will lead to better medical understanding of the condition.
- The ABC article highlights that PMOS can present differently at various life stages (e.g., acne in younger women, fertility issues in mid-life, metabolic features in older women).
- The ABC notes that women in their older years who missed an earlier diagnosis should reach out to their doctors.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states the name change was announced on May 12, 2026, while the ABC article also confirms this date, but the Guardianâs Article 2 (published May 14) does not provide a specific date for the announcement, only referencing the broader timeline.
- The Guardian mentions that the new name was published in *The Lancet* and announced at the European Congress of Endocrinology, while the ABC confirms the same but does not specify if the publication date differs between sources.
- The Guardianâs Article 1 states the renaming was announced on Tuesday (May 12), while Article 2 does not specify a date, only referencing the broader context of the announcement.
Source Articles
âUnprecedentedâ global effort gives new name to polycystic ovary syndrome â and new hope to millions of women
Decades-long campaign powered by patient perspectives results in switch from PCOS â a name that caused confusion and undue suffering â to PMOS ⢠What is PCOS, what are the symptoms and treatment, and why is it being renamed PMOS? ⢠âI still want to screamâ: the loneliness and confusion of living with PMOS After more than a decade of global consultation, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) â a condition that affects one in eight women â has been renamed. The hormonal disorder, estimated to impact 17
PCOS is now PMOS: common misconceptions about the condition explained â video
After more than a decade of global consultation, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) â a condition that affects one in eight women â has a new name. The hormonal disorder, estimated to affect 170 million women worldwide, will now be known as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). The new name was spearheaded by the endocrinologist Prof Helena Teede, the director of Melbourneâs Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation. For too long, experts say, the misleading nature of the ter
The name of this health condition was 'very inaccurate'. Now it's changed
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), a move health experts say will lead to faster diagnoses and better treatment for women of all ages.
âI still want to screamâ: the loneliness and confusion of living with PMOS
As polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome in an attempt to improve treatment and remove stigma, readers speak about the condition and their struggles to get help ⢠âUnprecedentedâ global effort gives new name to polycystic ovary syndrome â and new hope to millions of women ⢠What is PCOS, what are the symptoms and treatment, and why is it being renamed PMOS? The name polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) needed to change. It was inaccurate and it was w
Will renaming this health condition lead to better care for women? - podcast
PCOS is a hormonal disorder that, according to the World Health Organization, affects 10% to 13% of women of reproductive age. It is estimated that more than two-thirds of those who have it donât know that they do. The name of the condition has â in part â been blamed for the poor treatment many patients experience. Womenâs health experts say the name is misleading and outdated. It is now officially being changed. Assistant science editor Donna Lu speaks to Nour Haydar about why polycystic ovari