From PCOS to PMOS: How this name change is set to improve care

• A global expert panel has recently announced that the condition hitherto known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) will officially undergo a name change to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).
• The name change acknowledges the fact that this gynecological condition is not just characterized by the formation of cysts on the ovaries but actually impacts metabolic health more broadly, as well as other aspects of health.
• The experts hope that the name change will lead to more accurate diagnoses and timely treatment of the condition.

On Monday, May 12, 2026, an international panel of experts dubbed the Global Name Change Consortium announced — via a health policy paper published in The Lancet — the official name change of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).

Previously, doctors would diagnose the condition formerly known as PCOS based on the presence of fluid-filled cysts on a person’s ovaries.

This condition is also characterized by irregular periods and unusual hair growth due to hormonal imbalances.

By shifting the name of the condition to focus on its metabolic implications, rather than the presence of ovarian cysts, and through the health policy changes outlined in the Lancet paper, the global expert panel is now aiming to emphasize the true systemic impact of this condition.