PCOS Has Been Renamed PMOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), following a global consensus process involving people with PCOS, clinicians, researchers, patient organisations and professional societies.
The new name was published in The Lancet and reflects a long-standing concern: the term “polycystic ovary syndrome” does not accurately describe the condition.
Despite the name, pathological ovarian cysts are not a defining feature of PCOS. The condition is also much broader than the ovaries alone. It can involve endocrine, metabolic, reproductive, psychological and dermatological features, including irregular cycles, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, acne, excess hair growth, infertility, anxiety, depression and cardiometabolic risk.
The authors explain that the previous name could contribute to misunderstanding among patients, clinicians and the public. It may also obscure the multisystem nature of the condition, reinforce stigma, delay diagnosis and fragment care.
PMOS affects an estimated one in eight women and more than 170 million women globally. Yet up to 70% of affected individuals remain undiagnosed.
The new name was selected through a rigorous multistep process, including global surveys, Delphi methods, workshops and implementation planning. In total, the process included 14,360 additional survey responses from people with PCOS and health professionals across world regions.
The chosen name aims to better reflect the condition’s polyendocrine, metabolic and ovarian features, while removing the misleading reference to “cysts”.
The transition to PMOS is expected to take place over three years, supported by education, updated resources and alignment with health systems, research, guidelines and disease classification.
Read more in our blog post: PMOS Explained: Why PCOS Has Officially Been Renamed
Or check out the full research article here: Teede et al., 2026
Reference:
Teede HJ, Bahri Khomami M, Morman R, Laven JSE, Joham AE, Costello MF, et al. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. The Lancet. Published online May 12, 2026. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00717-8.
