PCOS Has Been Renamed PMOS: What It Means for Your Hormones and Fertility

If you have lived with PCOS, the news that the condition has a new name may feel both surprising and long overdue. After more than a decade of global consultation, PCOS is now officially known as PMOS, a change designed to better reflect what is really happening inside the body.

This is more than a rebrand. It is a recognition that millions of women have been navigating a misunderstood condition under a label that never told the full story.

Why has PCOS been renamed PMOS?

The international community of researchers, clinicians and patient advocates announced the name change in 2026, following a process that spanned 14 years, gathered more than 22,000 survey responses and involved over 56 organisations worldwide.

The original name, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, was considered misleading because the spots seen on ultrasound were never actually cysts, and because the condition affects far more than the ovaries.

The new name, PMOS, stands for Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome. The word metabolic reflects what researchers and clinicians have long understood, that this is a whole body hormonal and metabolic condition, not simply an ovarian one.

What does the new name actually mean?

PMOS is a complex hormonal and metabolic condition that influences how the body produces and responds to hormones, how it processes insulin and how it regulates energy, mood, skin and fertility.

It can present very differently from one woman to another, and even within the same woman across different life stages, from adolescence through to perimenopause.

PMOS affects around 1 in 8 women, with more than 170 million women living with the condition worldwide, making it one of the most common hormonal conditions in the world.¹

Were they ever really cysts?

Despite the original name, the small spots seen on an ovarian ultrasound were never true cysts. They are immature egg follicles that have not progressed through ovulation as expected.

Recent research confirms that women with PMOS do not have an increased number of abnormal ovarian cysts, which is part of the reason clinicians felt the old name no longer reflected the science.

This shift in language matters, because the word cyst has caused unnecessary worry for many women over the years.

How is PMOS diagnosed?

The diagnostic criteria have not changed. A diagnosis is still made when a woman meets two out of three of the following:

• Irregular or absent ovulation
• Elevated androgens, either on a blood test or through symptoms such as acne or excess hair growth
• Ovarian ultrasound findings consistent with PMOS

If you have already been diagnosed with PCOS, your diagnosis still stands. Nothing about your medical history needs to be revisited because of the name change.

Why do so many women go undiagnosed?

Research suggests that up to 70 percent of women with PMOS remain undiagnosed, and those who are diagnosed often wait more than three years to receive answers.¹

The old name contributed to this delay. Women without visible ovarian findings often felt dismissed, and the focus on cysts overshadowed the metabolic and hormonal signs that are central to the condition.

The hope is that the new name will open up clearer conversations with healthcare providers and help more women feel seen and heard sooner.

What else does PMOS affect beyond fertility?

PMOS is associated with insulin resistance, which plays a role in many of the symptoms women experience, from energy dips to changes in skin and weight.

Over time, this can be linked with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and may influence cardiovascular health, which is why a whole body approach is so important.

Mental health is also part of the picture. Research suggests that women with PMOS experience higher rates of depression and anxiety, and the condition can shift again during perimenopause, when hormonal changes bring a new layer of complexity.²

What does this mean if you are trying to conceive?

PMOS can disrupt ovulation, which is often the main reason women with the condition find conception more challenging.

The reassuring news is that PMOS tends to respond well to the right support. With the right nutritional, lifestyle and clinical guidance, many women go on to conceive, sometimes with medical help and sometimes naturally.

The aim is not to fight your body but to support it, gently and consistently, so that ovulation and hormonal balance have the best chance to settle.

What happens during the transition period?

Both names, PCOS and PMOS, will be used until 2028 while healthcare systems, research bodies and patient resources catch up.

In the meantime, you may see either name in clinics, on test results or in articles. If you prefer to use the new name in conversations with your GP or specialist, it can be a helpful way to open up a wider discussion about your metabolic and hormonal health.

How to Support Your Body With PMOS

Nutrition is one of the most powerful tools available for women with PMOS, because it works gently with the body's hormonal and metabolic systems. The following nutrients may support hormonal balance, ovulation and overall wellbeing.

Myo-inositol with methylfolate

Myo-inositol plays a role in how the body responds to insulin and supports healthy ovarian function. Research suggests it may support more regular ovulation in women with PMOS, and pairing it with methylfolate adds preconception support.³

Vitamin D

Many women with PMOS are low in vitamin D, which is associated with hormonal balance, immune health and mood. Adequate levels may support healthy menstrual cycles and overall wellbeing.⁴

Omega 3 fatty acids

Omega 3s play a role in reducing inflammation and supporting cardiovascular and mental health, both of which are relevant for women with PMOS.

Zinc

Zinc supports hormonal balance, skin health and reproductive function. It may be particularly helpful for women experiencing androgen related symptoms such as acne or excess hair growth.

NAC

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), a dietary supplement known for its antioxidant properties, is emerging as a potential aid for women dealing with PMOS. Learn more here. 

CoQ10

CoQ10 is involved in cellular energy production and is associated with egg quality. It may support women with PMOS who are trying to conceive, particularly from their mid thirties onwards.⁵

For those looking to support their PMOS journey, our support pack contains all of the supplements we recommend for this journey.

References

1. Teede H, et al. International evidence based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Monash University, 2023.
2. Cooney LG, et al. High prevalence of moderate and severe depressive and anxiety symptoms in polycystic ovary syndrome. Human Reproduction, 2017.
3. Unfer V, et al. Myo-inositol effects in women with PCOS: a meta analysis of randomised controlled trials. Endocrine Connections, 2017.
4. Krul-Poel YHM, et al. Vitamin D and metabolic disturbances in polycystic ovary syndrome. European Journal of Endocrinology, 2018.
5. Ben-Meir A, et al. Coenzyme Q10 restores oocyte mitochondrial function and fertility. Aging Cell, 2015.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between PCOS and PMOS?

They are the same condition. PMOS is the new name, chosen to better reflect that this is a whole body hormonal and metabolic condition rather than simply an ovarian one.

Has anything changed about how PMOS is diagnosed?

No. The diagnostic criteria remain the same, based on meeting two out of three of irregular ovulation, elevated androgens and ovarian ultrasound findings.

Can you have PMOS without cysts on your ovaries?

Yes. Ovarian findings are only one of the three diagnostic criteria, and many women are diagnosed without them.

Does PMOS always affect fertility?

Not always. Some women conceive easily, while others need more support. PMOS tends to respond well to nutritional, lifestyle and clinical care.

What supplements may help with PMOS?

Nutrients such as myo-inositol with methylfolate, vitamin D, omega 3s, zinc and CoQ10 may support hormonal and metabolic health, alongside a balanced diet.

Should I tell my GP about the name change?

Yes, if it feels useful. Using the new name can help open a wider conversation about your metabolic and hormonal health, not just your ovaries.

Where can I get support if I think I have PMOS?

Start with your GP, who can arrange initial investigations. You can also seek guidance from fertility and hormonal health specialists, and from trusted nutritional experts.