A medical condition affecting nearly 170 million women globally and considered the most common cause of infertility previously known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is set to receive a new name aimed at improving awareness, diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers announced at a medical conference on April 12 that the condition will now be called Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome. The updated terminology was introduced alongside findings published in The Lancet during the European Congress of Endocrinology held in Prague.
Experts said the previous name often created confusion because many patients with the disorder do not actually develop ovarian cysts. According to Dr. Terhi Piltonen of the University of Oulu in Finland, the emphasis on cysts has frequently led to delayed diagnosis and incomplete treatment approaches. Her comments appeared in a research letter published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
The newly adopted name is intended to better capture the disorder’s broader hormonal and metabolic effects. The decision followed an international consultation process involving more than 14,000 responses from patients and healthcare professionals, along with discussions among medical experts and patient advocacy groups.
Symptoms linked to PMOS include irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, pregnancy complications, excessive hair growth, acne, obesity, diabetes, insulin-related disorders, anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular disease. Researchers noted that women with the condition often have a high number of immature egg-containing follicles in the ovaries rather than true cysts.
Although there is currently no cure for the condition, doctors say symptoms can be managed through medication, dietary changes, and exercise. Researchers added that healthcare systems and medical guidelines are expected to gradually adopt the new term over the next three years.