Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), a shift experts say better reflects the condition’s full impact on the body. The change was announced at the European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague and shared by the Endocrine Society on May 12.

The updated name follows more than a decade of discussion among researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates, culminating in a consensus paper published in The Lancet. Experts say the name change signals a broader understanding of the condition and accurately reflects its complexity.

Why PCOS Is Now Called PMOS

PMOS affects about 1 in 8 women of reproductive age worldwide, but up to 70% of those remain undiagnosed, according to the World Health Organization.

The condition is now understood as a metabolic and hormonal disorder that affects multiple systems in the body—not just the reproductive system. This shift in understanding was a key reason for the name change.

Research also shows that ovarian cysts are not a defining symptom of PMOS, and it’s not the most burdensome aspect for many patients. A recent study found that many people with PMOS don’t get ovarian cysts more often or more severely than people who don’t have the condition. Some never develop them at all.

Part of the confusion stems from the term “ovarian cysts,” which can suggest large, abnormal growths. In PMOS, however, the “cysts” are actually small follicles, fluid-filled sacs that contain immature eggs. People with PMOS may have more of these follicles than usual, or the follicles may not release eggs properly during ovulation.

“Language matters in medicine,” Melanie Cree, MD, PhD, a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of Colorado Anschutz and a part of the consensus group, said in a press statement. “The previous name often led to misconceptions and stigma, particularly around fertility. This change helps shift the conversation toward overall health rather than a single aspect of the condition.”

People with PMOS may experience menstrual irregularities and infertility, but the condition extends well beyond reproductive health. PMOS is linked to insulin resistance and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. It is also associated with weight gain, acne, excess hair growth or thinning hair, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The stigma tied to conditions framed primarily around reproduction—especially those that are often misdiagnosed or undertreated—can also affect a patient’s mental health over time.

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What Does the Name Change Mean for Patients?

For now, the name change isn’t changing how the condition is diagnosed. Diagnosis still requires at least two of three criteria:

• Menstrual irregularities (infrequent or absent periods)
• Elevated androgen levels or related symptoms
• Multiple follicles seen on both ovaries during an ultrasound or elevated anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH).

Experts hope the broader name will drive more research into the condition. There is still no clear cause of PMOS, and treatment options remain limited.

“It is fantastic that the new name now leads with hormones and recognizes the metabolic dimension of the condition. This shift will reframe the conversation and demand that it is taken as seriously as the long-term, complex health condition it is,” Rachel Morman, chair of Verity (PCOS UK), said in the Endocrine Society’s statement.

Framing PMOS as a metabolic condition may help expand treatment options. For instance, the diabetes medication metformin is not officially approved for PMOS, but is sometimes prescribed off-label. Medications like GLP-1 receptor agonists—used alone or alongside metformin—could help address underlying metabolic issues and reduce long-term health risks.

There will be a transition period to help providers and patients adjust to the new terminology. Over the next three years, both PCOS and PMOS may be used interchangeably, with a full transition expected by 2028, when updated international guidelines are released.