Renaming PCOS: A New Understanding
For many years, countless patients dealing with issues like irregular periods, pelvic pain, excess hair growth, and acne have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, or P.C.O.S. Unfortunately, figuring out a correct diagnosis can be quite a challenge, and even when they do receive one, stigma often tags along. Treatment options, as many will know, aren’t always satisfactory.
Now, an international group of doctors and researchers has identified a fundamental problem: the name itself. It turns out that many individuals labeled as having “polycystic ovary syndrome” don’t have cysts in their ovaries at all, but they do have widespread hormonal and metabolic imbalances.
The consortium has decided to rename the condition P.M.O.S., which stands for polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome. This change was announced in a paper published in The Lancet, a result of years of work.
The renaming involved collaboration among 56 organizations, alongside surveys of thousands of affected patients and healthcare professionals. The members of the consortium explained that the old name simply didn’t capture the complexity of the condition. This misunderstanding has contributed to delayed diagnoses, fragmented care, and stigma, ultimately hindering research efforts and policy development.
They’re optimistic that this name change could shift how patients perceive their situation—affecting about 10 to 13 percent of women of reproductive age, according to the World Health Organization, along with some transgender individuals—and also influence the way doctors approach treatment.
Dr. Helena Teede, an endocrinologist and women’s health professor at Monash University in Australia, noted that when a condition is categorized in a narrow way, like focusing solely on one organ, it can limit everything from research funding to training and clinical guidelines. In this case, the focus was misplaced.
This has led medical students to primarily learn about the syndrome in gynecology courses, whereas it is fundamentally an endocrine issue that affects various bodily systems. Beyond gynecological concerns, P.M.O.S. can also trigger changes in hair and skin, as well as increase risks of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obstructive sleep apnea.
Many experts agree that because medical education has emphasized ovarian health, doctors who frequently treat P.M.O.S. patients—like gynecologists—might overlook screenings for other related health problems. It’s not uncommon for patients to feel puzzled by a P.C.O.S. diagnosis if cysts aren’t present, or even anxious about the possibility of having them, sometimes out of fear that they could be cancerous, as pointed out by Dr. Christine Carlan Greves, an OB-GYN. She hopes that conversations around the condition will start covering more dimensions of women’s lives rather than just reproductive aspects.
Dr. Melanie Cree, from the University of Colorado Anschutz and a paper co-author, shared her experiences applying for research grants on this condition. Typically, such applications would be funneled into the reproductive health sector, which isn’t as well-funded as others. She expressed hope that the new label would open doors for research funding from institutes that focus on diabetes and cardiovascular conditions as well. Other health organizations and NGOs might also broaden funding opportunities in line with this change.
Dr. Teede mentioned that over the next three years, the consortium plans to launch an international campaign to better communicate and elucidate these changes.
The new name could have immediate effects for some patients, potentially leading doctors to suggest more comprehensive screenings for metabolic and cardiovascular health. Traditionally, experts have noted that patients are often prescribed birth control to manage their symptoms if pregnancy isn’t a concern. While this can be effective, it doesn’t address the entirety of what P.M.O.S. entails.
With a clearer understanding of the syndrome, new treatment options may become available. However, Dr. Cree stressed that much more research is necessary: funding has been so scarce that many patients often receive off-label treatments designed for other conditions.
Dr. Basma S. Faris, who teaches obstetrics and gynecology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, emphasized the importance of closely monitoring P.M.O.S. patients for signs of insulin resistance and cardiovascular risks. She believes patients should be counseled about nutrition and lifestyle changes as well. Dr. Faris also pointed out that P.M.O.S. is linked to a higher risk of endometrial cancer, which makes it essential for women to be aware so they can recognize early symptoms.
Her hope is that this name shift will encourage a perspective that views P.M.O.S. as a long-term, chronic condition rather than solely a reproductive issue.
