PCOS to PMOS: Why the name change matters

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting women of reproductive age, yet its traditional name increasingly fails to capture the complexity of the condition. The term “polycystic” may incorrectly suggest pathological ovarian cysts, while theovarian-centric terminology can obscure the substantial endocrine, metabolic, reproductive, psychological, and cardiovascular dimensions of the disorder. In 2026, a multistep global consensus process proposed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) as the new name for PCOS. This presentation will explore why this change matters and how it reflects the evolution of our understanding of the disease. The consensus process involved professional organisations, patient groups, and stakeholders across more than 70 countries, incorporating large-scale Delphi surveys and structured international workshops. The presentation will examine the scientific rationale behind each component of the new name. “Polyendocrine” reflects the complex neuroendocrine and hormonal disturbances underlying the syndrome; “metabolic” highlights the central importance of insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidaemia, dysglycaemia, and long-term cardiometabolic risk; and “ovarian” acknowledges genuine ovarian and follicular dysfunction without implying the presence of true ovarian cysts. Importantly, PMOS does not represent a new disease or a change in diagnostic criteria. Rather, it represents an attempt to align nomenclature with contemporary science and improve communication. The potential implications extend from clinical assessment and multidisciplinary management to patient education, stigma reduction, research classification, health policy, and coding. For clinicians, the name change provides an opportunity to move beyond an ovary-centred approach toward a more comprehensive, life-course model of care. The shift from PCOS to PMOS is therefore not simply a change in terminology; it is a change in perspective.

[J Assoc Clin Endocrinol Diabetol Bangladesh, 2026;5(Suppl 1): S25]