PMOS Name Change Explains New Focus On Hormonal And Metabolic Care
A hormonal condition affecting about 1 in 8 women worldwide has a new name, and doctors say the change is meant to better reflect what patients have known for years: the condition is about much more than ovaries.
Polycystic ovary syndrome, long known as PCOS, is now called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS. The change was published Tuesday in The Lancet and supported by global medical and patient groups after a 14 year review process.
The Endocrine Society said the previous name caused confusion because the condition is not simply about ovarian cysts. It can affect hormones, metabolism, reproductive health, skin, weight and mental health. The group said PMOS affects more than 170 million women and girls worldwide.
Dr. Melanie Cree, a pediatric endocrinology expert at the University of Colorado Anschutz and one of the authors of the Lancet article, told AP that the old name was misleading.
“The thought behind that is that one, there’s no cysts in the ovary, so it’s very confusing,” Cree said. “The hope was that with a more comprehensive and accurate name change, that it would start to enable and push better care.”
PMOS Replaces PCOS To Reflect A Broader Health Condition
PMOS is tied to hormone fluctuations that can affect menstrual cycles, insulin levels, fertility, weight, acne, hair growth, hair thinning and other symptoms. Experts say the name change is meant to move the conversation away from a narrow focus on ovaries and toward the full body impact of the condition.
The condition is also associated with metabolic syndrome, a group of health conditions that can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Doctors still do not know one exact cause, but medical sources say genetics and obesity may play a role.
For many patients, diagnosis can be delayed because symptoms vary. Some people may have irregular periods. Others may have acne, excess facial or body hair, thinning hair, weight changes or trouble getting pregnant. Not every patient has the same symptoms, and not every patient has ovarian follicles visible on imaging.
PMOS Symptoms Can Look Different From Patient To Patient
PMOS is commonly linked to irregular menstrual cycles and higher levels of androgens, a group of hormones that can contribute to acne, hair growth or hair loss.
For teens, Cree said doctors generally look for both irregular periods and signs of high androgen levels. That can include blood test results or visible symptoms such as severe acne or chest hair.
The condition can also affect fertility because irregular ovulation can make it harder to conceive. Cleveland Clinic experts describe the condition formerly known as PCOS as a common cause of female infertility, while also noting that many people with the condition can still carry a successful pregnancy.
PMOS may also increase the risk of pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes and preterm birth. That is why doctors say diagnosis and care should be based on each patient’s symptoms, goals and health risks.
PMOS Treatment Depends On The Patient’s Symptoms And Goals
Cree said lifestyle changes are often the first treatment step, including eating less processed food, exercising and getting enough sleep.
“We’re not trying to be judgmental. There is science to back this up,” Cree said. “So in PMOS, there is too much of the hormone insulin in many women, and that insulin confuses the ovary to make too much testosterone. And it’s the high testosterone that is causing all the symptoms.”
Other treatment options can include insulin sensitizing medications such as Metformin, medications that block androgens and hormonal birth control. Patients trying to get pregnant may focus more on fertility treatments, while others may focus on cycle regulation, acne, hair growth, metabolic health or long term risk reduction.
Doctors involved in the name change say the goal is not just new wording. It is better diagnosis, less confusion and more complete care for a condition that has often been minimized or misunderstood.
“I’m very excited about the name change,” Cree said, “as are the majority of my colleagues.”
