PCOS Officially Renamed to PMOS: Landmark Lancet Publication Caps Decade-Long Global Consensus Process
核心洞察
An international coalition announced in The Lancet (搜索) that polycystic ovary syndrome (搜索) (PCOS) has been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (搜索) (PMOS), reflecting its multisystem nature.
The decade-long process incorporated input from over 14,000 patients and health professionals, with 86% of patients supporting a name change.
The new name aims to reduce diagnostic delays, as up to 70% of affected women worldwide remain undiagnosed, and to prompt broader metabolic and cardiovascular screening.
An international coalition of medical experts has formally announced the renaming of polycystic ovary syndrome (搜索) (PCOS) to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (搜索) (PMOS), marking the first official name change for the condition since its discovery. The decision, published on May 12, 2026 in The Lancet (搜索), follows a decade-long global consensus process involving researchers, clinicians, and patient advocacy groups who concluded that the term PCOS inaccurately emphasized ovarian cysts — a feature that is neither universal nor central to the syndrome.
The new designation, PMOS, better reflects the condition's complex nature as a multisystem disorder involving hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive dysfunction. PMOS affects approximately 1 in 8 women globally, amounting to over 170 million women worldwide, yet the World Health Organization estimates that up to 70% of affected people remain undiagnosed.
A Decade of Patient and Clinician Voices
Dr. Melanie Cree, a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of Colorado Anschutz (搜索) and a member of the renaming team, described the process as spanning 10 years and incorporating two rounds of global surveys conducted in 2015 and 2023. Over 14,000 participants across regions and disciplines contributed their voices. From these surveys, 86% of patients said they wanted to change the name of the condition, and health professionals also strongly supported the change.
"The previous name, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, is imprecise and confusing to patients, families and physicians," Dr. Cree noted. A 2015 study found that 85% of patients thought ovary cysts were the primary feature of the condition. In reality, there is no increase in abnormal cysts on the ovary — only partly developed eggs that can look like cysts.
The final two years of the process brought together leading academic, clinical, and patient organizations through iterative global surveys and consensus workshops. Participants prioritized scientific and medical accuracy, clarity, ease of pronunciation, avoiding stigma, and cultural appropriateness. The majority preferred an updated name reflecting the endocrine, metabolic, and ovarian features of the condition.
Clinical Implications of the Name Change
Despite the name change, the diagnostic criteria and treatment of PMOS remain unchanged. A diagnosis still requires at least two of three clinical signs: polycystic ovaries, irregular periods, and excess androgens. Experts believe the PMOS designation will improve public understanding of the syndrome, reduce stigma, and encourage healthcare providers to recognize the broader endocrine and metabolic health risks.
"The old name often delayed diagnosis because patients without ovarian cysts were dismissed," experts noted. "The new name clearly signals that multiple hormones and metabolic functions are involved."
A 2025 study of over 87,000 women in the United States found that more than 45% of those with PMOS had a metabolic disease diagnosis — such as prediabetes, diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol — compared to around 25% of those without PMOS. Additionally, over 16% of those with PMOS had problems getting pregnant, compared to under 4% of those without the condition.
Broader Screening and Future Directions
The renaming is expected to prompt providers to monitor patients for whole-body health, including insulin resistance, cardiovascular risks, high cholesterol, and mental health challenges. Many people with PMOS are not currently tested for metabolic disease, even though they face higher risks of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease at younger ages.
Dr. Hugh Taylor, chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine at Yale School of Medicine, emphasized that PMOS is not a single disease with one cause: "It's probably many different causes that result in similar symptoms — irregular menstrual cycles, excess androgens and polycystic ovaries."
Over the next three years, the international team will work to help patients, health professionals, governments, and researchers worldwide transition from using PCOS to PMOS. The new name will be included in the 2028 update to the international guideline on the condition.
"Patients with PMOS were the biggest drivers to change the name of the condition — their voices made it happen, and their continued advocacy will improve care," Dr. Cree said.