PCOS has had a name change to PMOS – Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome and yes, as the news has previously reported, it is a landmark moment in women’s health.
The new name is a mouthful, I know, but it’s an important change as it helps to shift how we view PMOS and better understand it.
Formerly Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, PMOS affects 1 in 8 women and never had anything to do with abnormal ovarian cysts (rather referring to an increased follicle count), so the name PCOS was confusing and misrepresented the complexity of the syndrome.
PMOS is not a single condition, but a collection of associated features related to hormonal imbalance. These features include irregular periods, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, acne and excessive hair growth, fertility concerns and increased risk of mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
This sounds like a foreboding list, but not all people with PMOS have all of the above. To get a PMOS diagnosis you need to meet two of these three criteria:
- Irregular periods
- Have an increased number of follicles on one of your ovaries on ultrasound (or elevated AMH levels on a blood test)
- Hyperandrogenism (basically acne and excessive hair growth or certain hormones changes on a blood test).
While the diagnostic criteria and appropriate management have not changed, the new name will help to break the perceived association with abnormal cysts on the ovaries and reduce stigma about the condition being solely related to the reproductive system. The name change to ‘polyendocrine metabolic’ is intended to highlight the multi-system syndrome relating to multiple hormonal pathways, as insulin resistance is a key feature not in the diagnostic criteria but now referenced in the name.
For those who have a PMOS diagnosis, or are advocating for one, they have said they feel a sense of validation. One client told us:
“For me personally, it better reflects the impacts on my whole body. It’s not just an issue with my reproductive system now, it takes into consideration my hormones, my weight, insulin and mental health.”
There are many options for the management of PMOS and the best results are achieved with a multidisciplinary team starting with diet and lifestyle changes. If lifestyle measures are not quite enough, there are medication options that can be prescribed both by primary care GPs and other specialists like Gynaecology and Endocrinology. Whilst there are potential fertility implications for PMOS, many women with the condition go on to have healthy pregnancies.
If you think you might have PMOS or want to ask how this all applies to you and your health, make an appointment with one of our GPs at our Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub to find out more.