Major Terminology Shift for PCOS: What It Means, According to a Warwick Endocrinologist

A significant development last week may help improve global understanding of a condition estimated to affect one in eight women worldwide.

Following years of international consultation - including work led by Monash University’s Centre for Research Excellence in Women’s Health in Reproductive Life - polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has officially been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).

What is PCOS?

Professor Thomas M Barber, Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Warwick and Consultant Endocrinologist at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW), explains some of the symptoms of the condition.

“Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects women of reproductive age globally. It is easily confused with other endocrine conditions and often remains undiagnosed. In addition to irregular periods, fertility problems, and excessive hair growth (hirsutism), it is also associated with serious metabolic problems like increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.”

What’s in a name?

Professor Barber continues: “Unfortunately, the term ‘PCOS’ is a misnomer in that the appearance of multiple cysts in the ovaries is not a cardinal feature of the condition. For many years, there has been an argument to re-name PCOS to reflect the important metabolic problems that associate with this condition. The new term, ‘Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome’ (PMOS) encapsulates the metabolic component of this condition well, and its pathophysiological complexity.”

He reflects, “We should welcome and embrace the term, PMOS, as a more accurate descriptor. In this endeavour, we need to raise awareness of this important condition and recognise with compassion the plight of those who suffer from PMOS.”