International Coalition Proposes Renaming PCOS to PMOS to Improve Women's Health Care

An international coalition of 56 medical organizations has proposed renaming Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). This change aims to better reflect the condition’s nature as a widespread hormonal and metabolic dysfunction rather than solely an ovarian issue, as many patients do not have ovarian cysts. The proposal, published in The Lancet and presented at the European Congress of Endocrinology, resulted from over a decade of debate and input from more than 14,000 patients. Experts argue that the previous name contributed to delayed diagnoses, stigma, and fragmented care by misclassifying the disorder. The new terminology is intended to redirect medical focus toward long-term chronic management, including screening for cardiovascular and metabolic problems. The consortium plans for the World Health Organization and the International Classification of Diseases to adopt PMOS as the international standard by 2028. This shift seeks to enhance research funding, improve clinical guidelines, and reduce the health and economic burden affecting approximately 170 million reproductive-age women worldwide, particularly addressing the historical underfunding of women’s health issues.