Saturday, May 16th 2026
One of the most common hormonal disorders in women has officially received a new name.
The condition known for years as PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) will now be called PMOS, “Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome,” the Associated Press news agency reported.
Experts say the name change is intended to improve diagnosis and treatment of the condition, which affects about one in eight women worldwide. the world.
According to The Endocrine Society, the old name “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome” was often misunderstood. He reduced a complex hormonal disorder to just ovaries and “cysts”, even though most patients do not have true ovarian cysts.
The name change was published in the scientific journal The Lancet after 14 years of collaboration between experts and patients.
“The idea behind this change is that, firstly, there are no ovarian cysts, so the name was very confusing. The hope was that with a more complete and accurate name, better patient care was encouraged,” said Melanie Cree, one of the study’s authors and an expert at the University of Colorado, Anschutz.
PMOS is characterized by hormonal disorders that can affect weight, metabolism, mental health, the reproductive system and the skin.
The condition is also linked to metabolic syndrome, a group of health problems that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Experts still They don’t know exactly what causes PMOS, but genetic factors and obesity are believed to play an important role.
Symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, which often makes diagnosis difficult.
The condition is associated with irregular menstrual cycles and high production of androgen hormones, which can cause acne, facial or body hair growth, and thinning hair.
You may also experience follicles in the ovaries, but experts emphasize that these are not true cysts and not every patient has them.
According to the author Cree, in teenagers the diagnosis is made when there are two main signs: irregular periods and high levels of androgens or symptoms such as severe acne and chest hair.
According to Cleveland Clinic experts, PMOS is the most common cause of infertility in women, as the lack of regular ovulation can make it difficult pregnancy.
The condition can also increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes or premature birth. However, most women with PMOS can have successful pregnancies.
As for treatment, experts say lifestyle changes remain the most important step.
This includes eating a diet with fewer processed products, regular physical activity and getting enough sleep.
“We’re not trying to judge anyone. There’s science to back that up,” Cree explained.
She added that many women with PMOS have high levels. of insulin, which “confuses” the ovary and causes it to produce more testosterone.
“It’s the high testosterone that causes most of the symptoms,” she said.
Other treatments include drugs that help the body use insulin better, such as metformin, androgen-blocking drugs and hormonal contraceptives.
Experts emphasize that treatment should be tailored to the needs of each patient. For example, some women may focus on fertility and pregnancy, while others focus on controlling hormonal symptoms.
Physicians and researchers hope the new PMOS name will help increase awareness and provide better treatment for patients.
“I’m very excited about the name change. As are most of my colleagues,” Cree said.
Source: prizrenpost
