Written by Dr. Caledonia Buckheit
If you’ve been following developments in women’s health, you may have heard that polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has a new name. As of May 12, 2026, the condition is now officially known as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).
The name change was announced through a landmark global consensus published in The Lancet and endorsed by 56 leading medical societies and patient advocacy organizations, including the Endocrine Society and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
If you have been diagnosed with PCOS, nothing about your condition has changed — the biology is the same, the treatments are the same, and the care you’ve been receiving is still the right care. What has changed is the language we use to describe it, and that change actually matters quite a bit.
Why Did PCOS Change Its Name?
The previous name, polycystic ovarian syndrome, had created two major misconceptions.
PMOS Is About More Than Ovarian “Cysts”
First, the old name implied that the defining feature of the condition was cysts on the ovaries. In reality, those “cysts” are not true cysts at all; they are fluid-filled follicles, each containing an immature egg, that accumulate when ovulation doesn’t occur regularly. They don’t need to be removed, they don’t cause pain on their own, and many people diagnosed with PCOS don’t have polycystic-appearing ovaries on ultrasound at all.
PMOS Is a Whole-Body Condition
Second, “ovarian syndrome” implied the condition only affected the ovaries. In reality, PMOS affects far more, including:
- Complex hormonal dysregulation (that’s the “polyendocrine” piece)
- Significant metabolic effects including insulin resistance and elevated cardiovascular disease risk
- Skin and hair
- Mood
- Long-term health
Framing it as an ovarian problem contributed to delayed diagnoses, fragmented care, and a lot of unnecessary confusion about what was actually wrong.
The new name, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), more accurately reflects what we know: that this is a whole-body hormonal and metabolic condition involving the ovaries, among other systems.
Is PMOS Different From PCOS?
No.
PMOS and PCOS are the same medical condition.
The biology, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments have not changed. Only the terminology has been updated to better reflect current scientific understanding.
For the foreseeable future, you’ll likely continue seeing both PMOS and PCOS used interchangeably while medical education, coding systems, and clinical guidelines are updated worldwide.
What Is Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)?
PMOS is an ovulation disorder that affects roughly 1 in 8 women of reproductive age — more than 170 million people worldwide. It is characterized by:
- Infrequent or absent ovulation, leading to irregular periods
- Elevated androgens (hormones like testosterone), which cause symptoms like cystic acne, excess facial or body hair, and hair thinning
- Insulin resistance, which affects metabolism, blood sugar regulation, and weight
- Characteristic multi-follicular appearance and increased volume of the ovaries on ultrasound (though this is not required for diagnosis)
How PMOS Affects Ovulation
Understanding the normal menstrual cycle helps explain why PMOS causes irregular periods.
From the first day of your period, your ovary begins recruiting an egg within a follicle to prepare it for ovulation. After about two weeks, the follicle matures, your brain sends a signal to release the egg, and progesterone rises. If the egg isn’t fertilized, progesterone drops and your period begins.
In PMOS, instead of producing one mature follicle each month, the ovary recruits many follicles without ever selecting one “dominant follicle” to ovulate. This disrupts the normal hormonal rhythm, leads to elevated androgens, and sets off a cascade of metabolic effects throughout the body.
How Is PMOS Diagnosed?
Because PMOS symptoms can vary so much from person to person, diagnosis can be frustrating. There is no single test that diagnoses PMOS. Instead, providers use a set of criteria that considers:
- Menstrual irregularity: cycles that are too long (more than 35 days), too short, or absent
- Evidence of elevated androgens: either on a blood test, or through symptoms like hirsutism or acne
- Characteristic ovarian morphology on ultrasound: multi-follicular appearance and increased volume
To meet criteria for the diagnosis of PMOS, a person must have at least two of the three issues listed above. Your doctor or advanced practice provider (APP) will also want to rule out other conditions that can look like PMOS, including thyroid disorders, elevated prolactin, and adrenal conditions. So, expect some bloodwork as part of the workup.
What Is the Connection Between PMOS and Insulin Resistance?
One of the most important, and often underappreciated, aspects of PMOS is its relationship to insulin resistance. Insulin is the hormone that helps your cells use glucose for energy. In many people with PMOS, their cells don’t respond to insulin as effectively as they should, so the body compensates by producing more. High insulin levels then stimulate the ovaries to produce more androgens, which can worsen PMOS symptoms.
Managing insulin resistance is an important part of PMOS management; not only for symptom relief, but to reduce long-term risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which are elevated in people with PMOS.
What Are Treatment Options for PMOS?
The goal of PMOS management is to address the symptoms that are most affecting your life and reduce your long-term health risks. Fertility goals and planning should be incorporated into any treatment plan. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but here are the main tools we use:
Lifestyle Changes
For many people, nutrition and regular physical activity is the most powerful intervention available.
A diet that prioritizes whole foods with emphasis on
- vegetables
- lean protein
- fiber
while limiting added sugars and processed carbohydrates can meaningfully improve insulin sensitivity, regulate menstrual cycles, and reduce androgen levels.
Regular physical activity (think: at least 30 minutes most days) works alongside diet to improve metabolic health.
Supplements
Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol (often sold in combination) have the best evidence among supplements for PMOS. They improve insulin signaling and have been shown in clinical trials to promote:
- Healthy ovulation
- Improved cycle regularity
- Reduced androgen levels
- Improved fertility
Hormonal Birth Control
In those not seeking pregnancy, combined hormonal contraceptives (pill, patch, or ring) are often used to manage irregular bleeding and reduce circulating androgen levels. Hormonal birth control does not treat the underlying drivers of PMOS, but it can effectively manage some of the symptoms like
- irregular bleeding
- excess hair growth
- acne
and reduce associated risks such as endometrial hyperplasia and cancer.
Metformin
This diabetes medication is frequently used off-label in PMOS to improve insulin sensitivity. Metformin can:
- Help regulate menstrual cycles
- Support weight management
- Reduce the risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
Spironolactone
Originally developed as a blood pressure medication, spironolactone is frequently used in PMOS to block the effects of androgens on the body. It is particularly helpful for symptoms like hirsutism (excess facial or body hair), hair thinning, and hormonal acne. Of note, this medication is not safe for those who are actively trying to conceive or who are pregnant.
GLP-1 Medications
GLP-1 receptor agonist medications like semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Zepbound) are being increasingly used in PMOS management, particularly for patients who also have obesity or significant insulin resistance. These medications improve insulin sensitivity, support weight loss, and seem to improve ovulatory function and androgen levels in PMOS. Talk to your provider about whether this is an appropriate option for you.
Fertility Treatments
If you are trying to conceive, there are medications specifically designed to stimulate ovulation, including letrozole (typically the first-line choice in PMOS) and clomiphene citrate. Your doctor or APP can discuss the right approach for your situation.
Living Well With PMOS
Living with PMOS can be emotionally challenging, especially if you’re dealing with fertility concerns, unwanted hair growth, weight struggles, or feeling like your body is working against you. The name change to PMOS is a step toward recognizing that what you experience is real, complex, and worthy of comprehensive care.
Important Things to Know about PMOS
- PMOS looks different in everyone. Your experience may not match what someone else describes, and that’s okay.
- Management is often iterative. Finding the right combination of lifestyle changes and medications takes time, and may change as your goals and priorities shift. It’s normal to need to revisit and adjust.
- Your mental health matters. Anxiety and depression are more common in people with PMOS, and seeking support; whether through therapy, community, or honest conversations with your care team, is part of good care.
- You are not alone. More than 170 million women worldwide have this condition. Online and in-person support communities can be a meaningful resource.
If you suspect you may have PMOS, or if you have previously been diagnosed with PCOS and want to discuss your care plan, please make an appointment to see one of our Kamm McKenzie doctors or nurse practitioners (https://kmobgyn.com/our-providers/). We’re here to work through it with you!
References
1. Teede HJ, et al. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. The Lancet. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00717-8
2. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. PCOS Is Now PMOS: Understanding the Name Change. May 2026. https://www.asrm.org
3. Endocrine Society. Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome: New name to improve diagnosis and care. May 12, 2026. https://www.endocrine.org
4. Unfer V, et al. Effects of myo-inositol in women with PCOS: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2012;28(7):509–515.
