For decades, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been defined primarily as a reproductive disorder characterised by the presence of two out of these three features – irregular cycles, hyperandrogenism and/or polycystic ovarian morphology1-3.
However, a growing body of evidence shows that PCOS is fundamentally a metabolic endocrine condition with reproductive consequences, not the other way around. Clinicians knew the name “polycystic ovary syndrome” was inaccurate and misrepresented the condition.
From 14 years of global collaboration between experts and those who lived with the condition, a consensus was published in May 2026 announcing that Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is now termed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)4. According to Teede et al.4 transition to the new name will occur over a three-year period.
Why PMOS and not PCOS?
PMOS is primarily a metabolic endocrine disorder. Research consistently shows that insulin resistance is present in up to 75% of women with PMOS, even at normal BMI, and nearly 95% of women with PMOS who have overweight or obesity5.
Insulin resistance drives excess androgen production, disrupted follicular development, anovulation and/or increased cardiometabolic risk. This metabolic foundation is why many experts argue that the term “PCOS” under‑represents the true nature of the condition.
Polycystic ovaries are not required for diagnosis6. Ultrasound findings are not necessary for diagnosis, not specific to PCOS and common in healthy adolescents and young adults. The name “PCOS” overemphasises a feature that is neither universal nor central.
Furthermore, the metabolic risks extend far beyond fertility. Women with PMOS have higher lifetime risks of type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease and/or sleep apnoea6,7. These risks persist long after reproductive years, reinforcing the need for a metabolic‑focused terminology.
Why “PMOS” Better Reflects the Condition
The proposed term Polycystic Metabolic Ovary Syndrome (PMOS) highlights the4:
- metabolic drivers: insulin resistance, inflammation and adipose dysfunction are central mechanisms.
- ovarian consequences: anovulation, hyperandrogenism and infertility arise because of metabolic dysfunction.
- need for metabolic‑nutrition interventions: lifestyle and nutrition strategies are first‑line therapy because they target the root cause.
- lifelong nature of the condition: this is not just a fertility disorder—it is a chronic metabolic condition requiring long‑term management.
Why This Matters for Nutrition and Health Professionals
A metabolic‑focused name aligns with what research has shown for years:
- Diet quality, insulin sensitivity and body composition are central to symptom management.
- Women in Asia‑Pacific and South Asia show higher insulin resistance at lower BMI, making metabolic framing especially relevant.
- Nutritional interventions (e.g., low‑GI patterns, whole‑food diets, vitamin D optimisation, inositol supplementation) directly target the underlying physiology.
- A metabolic lens helps reduce stigma by shifting the narrative away from “cysts” and toward systemic health.
In Summary
The overarching aims of the group behind the PCOS name change are to build greater awareness, strengthen diagnostic accuracy, elevate the quality of care and patient experience and ultimately improve outcomes across all aspects of the condition4.
The renaming of PCOS to PMOS reflects a deeper understanding of the condition as a metabolic‑endocrine disorder with reproductive manifestations, rather than a purely ovarian syndrome.
For the more than 170 million women living with PMOS worldwide, the implications are tangible. PMOS management demands an integrated, individualised approach — one that addresses the symptoms experienced by each woman living with PMOS.
