Author: Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM
CEO & President, DiabetesEd Services
For decades, healthcare professionals have cared for individuals diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a condition that affects approximately 1 in 8 women worldwide. Yet many clinicians, researchers, and people living with the condition have long felt that the name never fully captured the complexity of what was happening beneath the surface.
In May 2026, a landmark international consensus published in the Lancet, officially renamed PCOS to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). This change emerged from more than a decade of collaboration among global experts, patient advocates, and professional organizations seeking a name that better reflects the condition’s true nature and broad health implications.
More Than Ovarian Cysts
The term “polycystic ovary syndrome” has created confusion for years. Many people diagnosed with PCOS do not actually have ovarian cysts, while others with ovarian cysts do not have the syndrome. The previous name often led healthcare providers to focus primarily on reproductive concerns while overlooking significant metabolic and endocrine dysfunction.
The new name—Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome—highlights what many clinicians have recognized for years: this is a complex, whole-body condition involving hormonal regulation, metabolism, reproductive health, cardiovascular risk, and mental well-being.
Why Terminology Matters
As healthcare professionals, we know that language shapes understanding. A diagnosis is often the first framework through which a person interprets their health condition.
When the name focuses narrowly on ovaries and cysts, important aspects of care can be missed. The new terminology helps communicate that PMOS is not simply a reproductive disorder—it is a lifelong endocrine and metabolic condition requiring multidisciplinary care. Experts hope the renaming will reduce stigma, improve diagnostic accuracy, and stimulate greater research investment in prevention and treatment strategies.
This shift is reminiscent of the transition from NAFLD to MASLD, where updated terminology was designed to better reflect underlying pathophysiology and reduce misunderstanding. In both cases, language serves as a tool to improve clinical care and patient outcomes.
A Metabolic Condition with Far-Reaching Consequences
As a healthcare professional providing care to people with diabetes, you are likely to encounter individuals with undiagnosed and undertreated PMOS. Since insulin resistance is an underlying disorder in both conditions, there is a bidirectional relationship between diabetes and PMOS.
You can be on the lookout for individuals with PMOS and advocate for diagnosis and evidence-based treatments. These individuals may be struggling to cope with the complex metabolic and social consequences associated with PMOS.
Common Signs and Symptoms of PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome)
PMOS, is a complex condition that can present differently from person to person. While some individuals experience reproductive symptoms, others may first notice metabolic changes or signs of excess androgen activity.
Reproductive Signs
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Infrequent periods (oligomenorrhea)
- Absent periods (amenorrhea)
Signs of Elevated Androgens
- Excess facial or body hair growth (hirsutism)
- Acne that persists beyond adolescence
- Oily skin
- Thinning hair or male-pattern hair loss on the scalp
Metabolic Signs
- Insulin resistance
- Prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Increased abdominal or visceral fat accumulation
- Elevated triglycerides
- Low HDL cholesterol
- Elevated blood pressure
Skin Findings
- Acanthosis nigricans (darkened, velvety skin often found on the neck, underarms, or groin)
- Skin tags
Sleep and Energy Concerns
- Fatigue
- Poor sleep quality
- Increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea
Mental and Emotional Health
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Increased risk of eating disorders
- Body image concerns
- Reduced quality of life related to symptoms
Important Clinical Pearl
Not everyone with PMOS has overweight or obesity. Up to 20–30% of individuals may have a normal BMI yet still experience insulin resistance, androgen excess, ovulatory dysfunction, or cardiometabolic risk. This is one reason why relying solely on weight can lead to delayed diagnosis.
When working with individuals who have PMOS, consider:
- Screening for insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk factors early.
- Assessing for diabetes distress, anxiety, depression, and body image concerns.
- Using person-centered, non-stigmatizing language when discussing weight and health behaviors.
- Recognizing that symptoms and presentations vary widely between individuals.
- Emphasizing sustainable lifestyle interventions that support metabolic health without promoting shame or unrealistic expectations.
Many people living with PMOS have spent years feeling dismissed or misunderstood. A whole-person approach that validates their experiences can be just as important as the pharmacologic interventions we recommend.
Treatment for PMOS
The central focus is on improving metabolic health, managing symptoms, and supporting individual goals such as fertility or diabetes prevention.
Lifestyle interventions – including regular physical activity, nutritious foods, adequate sleep, and stress management, remain the foundation of care.
Medications– the following medications are used to improve glucose levels, decrease insulin resistance and support a healthy weight.
- Metformin
- GLP-1 receptor agonists or dual GIP/GLP-1 therapies may be used to improve glucose metabolism and support weight management.
Combined hormonal contraceptives can help regulate menstrual cycles and reduce symptoms of androgen excess, while spironolactone may be prescribed for acne or excess hair growth.
Assessing for Co-Conditions – Given the increased risk of prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, and mental health concerns, comprehensive screening and a person-centered, multidisciplinary approach are essential components of long-term PMOS care.
A Person-Centered Perspective
Many people with PMOS spend years seeking answers before receiving a diagnosis. Symptoms such as weight changes, irregular periods, acne, or excess hair growth can carry significant emotional burdens. Approaching these conversations with curiosity, empathy, and non-stigmatizing language can help foster trust and improve engagement in care.
Bottom line
PMOS is far more than a reproductive condition. It is a lifelong endocrine and metabolic disorder that may affect reproductive health, glucose metabolism, cardiovascular risk, sleep, and emotional well-being. Recognizing the early signs can lead to earlier intervention and better long-term outcomes.
Implications for Diabetes Care Professionals
The renaming to PMOS offers an opportunity for diabetes health care professionals to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and advocate for best care.
Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM
CEO & President, DiabetesEd Services
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Read more below
🌟Registration Options at a Glance
📜 Essentials
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5 Reasons to Attend
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