Polycystic ovary syndrome has been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS, in a change published in The Lancet and announced at the European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague on Tuesday. [1, 2]
The new term followed a long international consultation involving global societies, patient groups and more than 14,000 people with the condition and health professionals worldwide. The effort brought together 56 academic, clinical and patient organisations across six continents, according to the reports. [1, 2]
Experts said the old name was misleading because the condition is not limited to ovarian cysts and also involves hormonal and metabolic problems. They said the new name better reflects broader effects, including metabolism and the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. [1, 2]
The condition is estimated to affect about 170 million women worldwide, or roughly one in eight women. The renaming was spearheaded by endocrinologist Prof Helena Teede, who led the international effort. [1]
Patient Maddy Mavrikis said the old term had never matched her own experience. "I never had – and still don’t have – cysts on my ovaries, so never really understood why I was diagnosed with ‘polycystic ovaries’," she said. [1]
The authors said a global implementation strategy is now underway to change disease classification and align education and health systems with the new name. [2]
