Advocates hope that rebranding a condition that has affected millions of women worldwide will help with better diagnosis, support and treatment for patients.
As of this week, polycystic ovary syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, will now be called polyendocrine metabolic syndrome, or PMOS, thanks to a global effort led by Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.
The condition is characterized by fluctuations in hormones and can affect weight, fertility and metabolic and mental health.
Why the Name Change Matters
Robyn Vettese, a patient research partner at the University of Calgary who was diagnosed with PMOS (then PCOS) four years ago, said the change was long overdue. “This is something that was very long overdue and has been in the works for six years,” she said.
Jamie Benham, a Calgary endocrinologist and professor at the Cumming School of Medicine, called the initial name “misleading” and “inaccurate.” She explained that many people with ovarian cysts thought they had PCOS but did not meet the criteria, because individuals with PMOS do not have a higher rate of ovarian cysts than others.
The new name better reflects the “multidimensional nature of the condition,” Benham said, and makes it less confusing for both patients and clinicians who diagnose and manage treatment.
What is PMOS?
PMOS is a hormonal and metabolic disorder that affects how ovaries function and how the body regulates hormones such as insulin and androgens.
In Canada, women diagnosed with PMOS must meet two out of three criteria:
- Irregular menstrual cycles.
- Hyperandrogenism, which is the overproduction of testosterone that can lead to acne, baldness or excessive hair growth.
- An increase in the growth of ovarian follicles (where eggs develop) or a blood test showing high levels of anti-müllerian hormone, produced by follicles.
Common symptoms include irregular periods, difficulty ovulating, acne, excessive facial or body hair, scalp hair thinning, weight fluctuations and insulin resistance.
“This is a syndrome that involves multiple aspects, including endocrine health, metabolic health, as well as reproductive health,” Benham said.
For a long time, the condition was narrowly defined as a fertility issue, but growing research has shown it is associated with a broader range of health risks, including increased rates of depression and anxiety, disordered eating, and a higher likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes.
“We also see a lot of metabolic complications,” Benham added, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea and more.
