PCOS Has a New Name… Here’s Why It Matters
PCOS Has a New Name and Here’s Why It Matters
“What’s in a name?” When it comes to medicine, quite a lot.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has been one of the most common hormonal disorders affecting women of reproductive age for years. Yet despite affecting approximately one in eight women worldwide, the condition has long been misunderstood by both the public and healthcare professionals. One reason may be hiding in plain sight: its name.
In a recent editorial published in Metabolism Open, endocrinologist Dr. Maria Dalamaga reviews the evidence behind the decision to rename Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). 1.
The editorial explains why many experts believe the previous name no longer reflects the complexity of the condition and how a more accurate name may improve patient understanding and clinical care.
But why does changing the name matter?
The Problem with the Name “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome”
Many people assume that PCOS is simply a condition involving ovarian cysts. In reality, this is a common misconception. The “cysts” associated with PCOS are not true ovarian cysts but rather immature follicles that have not completed ovulation.¹
This distinction is important because many adolescents naturally develop functional ovarian cysts as their menstrual cycles become established. These cysts can occur as part of normal ovarian function and do not necessarily indicate PCOS, despite sometimes being mistaken as such.
Likewise, many people diagnosed with PCOS may not have polycystic ovaries visible on ultrasound at all. Looking only at ovarian imaging can therefore contribute to confusion or delayed diagnosis when the underlying hormonal and metabolic changes are overlooked.
PCOS is not diagnosed based on ovarian cysts alone. In adults, diagnosis generally involves meeting at least two of three criteria: irregular or absent ovulation, signs of elevated androgen levels, and polycystic ovarian morphology.² This means that someone with irregular cycles and elevated androgens may still meet the diagnostic criteria for PCOS even if they do not have polycystic ovaries visible on an ultrasound.
Since the name focuses almost entirely on the ovaries, it can create a narrow understanding of what is actually a whole-body disorder.
PCOS Is More Than a Reproductive Condition
Researchers now recognize that PCOS affects much more than fertility. Not only is it linked with hormonal imbalances and mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression, but it also affects a wide array of metabolic concerns like insulin resistance, inflammation, cardiovascular disease risk, abnormal cholesterol levels, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease.
For many individuals, these metabolic concerns may appear years before reproductive concerns become obvious. This broader understanding is one reason the previous name may no longer tell the full story.
Why the New Name Matters
The proposed name, Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), is intended to better reflect the condition’s complexity by recognizing the interaction between hormone regulation, metabolism, and ovarian function.¹
Polyendocrine acknowledges that multiple hormone systems are involved.
Metabolic highlights the important role of insulin resistance and metabolic health.
Ovarian recognizes that ovarian function remains an important part of the disorder.
Syndrome reflects that the condition presents differently from person to person.
Rather than focusing on one visible feature, the proposed name emphasizes the interconnected hormonal and metabolic systems involved in the condition.
Better Names Can Lead to Better Care
Disease names influence how healthcare providers approach diagnosis, what researchers choose to study, and how patients understand their own health.
When a condition’s name emphasizes only one aspect of a disease, other important symptoms can unintentionally receive less attention. A more accurate name may encourage earlier recognition of metabolic complications and support more comprehensive care.
Not Everyone Agrees
Although many experts support reconsidering the name PCOS, changing a medical term that has been used for decades presents challenges. Researchers, educators, healthcare providers, and patient organizations have built extensive resources around the term PCOS.
Any transition would therefore need to occur carefully, alongside updated clinical guidelines, professional education, and patient resources to maintain continuity while improving understanding.¹
Looking Ahead
Whether the condition is called PCOS or PMOS, one message is clear: our understanding of this condition has evolved. From a naturopathic perspective, this whole-person approach is not new.
Naturopathic medicine has long recognized that hormones, metabolism, nutrition, sleep, stress, and lifestyle are all interconnected.
While a new name may not significantly change the way we approach care from a naturopathic perspective, it has the potential to change how the broader healthcare system, researchers, and the public understand the condition. By recognizing PCOS as more than an ovarian or reproductive disorder, we can move toward a more comprehensive understanding of the people living with it.
Sometimes, changing a name is the first step toward changing the conversation.
If you're ready to get personalized treatment for your PMOS/PCOS, book a complimentary Hormone Breakthrough Call here with Dr. Maya Matthews, Naturopathic Doctor.
Written by Diya Mani, a student contributor for Reclaim Wellness Clinic. This article was reviewed and edited by Dr. Maya Matthews, ND.
References
1. Dalamaga, M. (2026). What’s in a name? From PCOS to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome: A metabolic reframing, promise, controversies, and challenges ahead. Metabolism Open, 30, 100479.
2. Teede, H. J., Tay, C. T., Laven, J., et al. (2023). International evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome 2023.
