PCOS to PMOS - Why the Name Change?

Last week, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) got a new name- Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). At Namaste Nourished, we see many clients with PCOS, and love helping women impacted by PCOS find relief from their symptoms. You can read about how a dietitian can help with PCOS here, but today, we’re digging into the name change for this condition that impacts more than 170 million women worldwide.

The Study

The change from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) follows a rigorous, global study that was 14 years in the making. The study was led by Professor Helena Teede along with The International PCOS Network-Monash University, NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Women’s Health in Reproductive Life, the International Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society, and the UK patient group Verity. The study focused on understanding patients with PCOS more deeply through 22,000 surveys and multiple workshops with both patients with lived experience and a wide variety of health professionals from 56 different patient organizations and societies throughout the world. The study is a wealth of new information to improve awareness, diagnosis, patient care, and future research on this condition that affects approximately 1 in 8 women worldwide, and women living with PCOS were the biggest drivers of the new name. 86% of women with PCOS and 71% of healthcare professionals supported the name change.

Why a Name Change

The name change from PCOS to PMOS aims to be more scientifically accurate by omitting the reference to ovarian cysts (the “c” in PCOS), which can be a symptom, but do not always occur for everyone with the condition. Specifically, cysts do not have to be one of the criteria to be diagnosed. The new name reflects the wide variety of impacts that the hormone fluctuations in PMOS can cause. These can include changes to weight, metabolism, cardiometabolism, mental health, skin conditions, and the reproductive system. While there have been advances in the understanding and guidelines to care in recent years, the official name change was an important step for long-term improvement in both recognition and patient care. The hope in changing the name is that it will improve communication between providers and patients. Those with PCOS reported that they were often misdiagnosed, or had to wait a long time in order to get answers to their symptoms. The name change also helps to remove the stigma often stemming from a woman’s ability to bear children.

What’s Next

The new name will be phased in over a three year period. This will allow for everyone affected, including patients, healthcare professionals, researchers, and government officials to understand and start using the new language. While the abbreviated name from PCOS to PMOS is only one letter, there is much to be discovered through the name change and the wealth of research. During this three-year period, the researchers will partner with those implementing and communicating new policies, including the World Health Organization, to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the new name. As new evidence or insights emerge, these will be incorporated into the language. The new name and learnings are expected to be in the 2028 International Guideline update, which is utilized by 195 countries.

PCOS/PMOS and Eating Disorders

A recent meta-analysis that found that women with PCOS have a 53% higher chance of developing an eating disorder. Additionally, disordered eating scores were higher in PCOS patients compared to the control, regardless of BMI. Another study showed that women with PCOS had a 3-6 times higher risk of having an eating disorder, with a 30% higher risk for bulimia and a 300% higher risk of binge eating disorder. Whether you have an eating disorder, PMOS, disordered eating, or symptoms you aren’t sure of, we want to help support you. If you have questions on the study, the name change, or how a dietitian might be able to help, we hope you’ll  reach out to us today and don’t suffer in silence.

References

Endocrine Society. (2026, May 12). Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome: New name to improve diagnosis and care of condition affecting 170 million women worldwide. Endocrine Society. https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2026/pcos-name-change

Gaudiani, Jennifer L. Sick Enough: A Guide to the Medical Complications of Eating Disorders and Undernutrition. Routledge, 2025. 

Hohmann, Ella. (2026, May 13). PCOS Renamed PMOS in Landmark Shift Reflecting Metabolic and Endocrine Features. The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®). https://www.ajmc.com/view/pcos-renamed-pmos-in-landmark-shift-reflecting-metabolic-and-endocrine-features

Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation. (2026, May 12). Resources for Women with PMOS. https://www.mchri.org.au/guidelines-resources/community/pmos-resources/

Pieters, K. (2026, May 12). Global Experts Establish New Name for PCOS to Reflect Multisystem Disease. University of Colorado Anschutz. https://news.cuanschutz.edu/news-stories/pcos-new-name

Teede, H. J., Kohmami, M. B., Morman, R., Laven, J. S. E., Joham, A. E., & Costlo, M. F. (2026). Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. The Lancet. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00717-8