One of the world’s most common women’s health conditions is getting a new name after decades of research.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex hormonal disorder that can affect the reproductive system, metabolism, mental health, and skin.
It will now be known as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS).
The change has been led by Australian researchers at Monash University, who argue the previous name no longer reflects the full scope of the disorder or how it affects the body.
PCOS
PCOS is a hormonal condition that occurs when the body produces higher levels of androgens – hormones often associated with male development – or experiences other hormonal imbalances.
It can cause a range of symptoms, including irregular menstrual cycles, acne, excess facial or body hair, thinning hair on the scalp, weight gain, and fertility issues. Some women with PCOS also develop small fluid-filled sacs on their ovaries.
The condition affects around 1 in 8 women globally – about 170 million people worldwide.
Name change
The move to rename PCOS follows 14 years of research involving global experts and more than 22,000 people with lived experience.
Researchers said the longstanding focus on “ovarian cysts” has been misleading, with evidence showing the condition is not defined by abnormal ovarian cysts.
The condition will instead be known as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), a name researchers said better reflects its metabolic, reproductive, fertility, and broader wellbeing impacts.
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Professor Helena Teede, an endocrinologist and Director of Monash University’s Centre for Health Research and Implementation, led the research behind the proposed renaming.
She said the “landmark moment” would have impacts for millions of women who have been dismissed or misdiagnosed due to decades of misconceptions about the condition.
“It's not an ovarian condition primarily. It's a hormone condition... we've demonstrated that there's a delay in diagnosis, there's a lack of awareness, there's frustration... we need to start again, around the new chapter, around recognising what this condition really is,” she said.
Impact
Nadia Rutcher first began experiencing symptoms of PCOS at the age of nine.
She said what followed were years of seeing different doctors, being placed on multiple medications, and repeatedly feeling dismissed by her GP.
“ I had a lot of acne, and I was self-conscious of how I looked all the time... I had also gone to the GP 'cause I had a lot of excessive hair shedding. I grew up thinking I was ugly,” she said.
“As a child, I didn't know what was going on. It took a very long time and a lot of GP hopping to finally get an answer,” she added.
The 23-year-old said she hopes the name change will reduce stigma, and lead to faster, and more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
“For so long, you just get hand-waved away. You just get dismissed. I feel validated. I feel seen. I feel like, I, I feel like all I want is for people to just take it more seriously,” she said.
A three-year transition period will be rolled out for clinicians, researchers, and governments before the new name is fully adopted in 2028.
