Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has officially been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).

Announced on 12 May 2026, the change comes from 14 years of research led by Helena Teede, Director of the Monash Centre for Health Research Implementation.

The condition, which affects one in eight women, can cause irregular periods, acne, weight gain, abnormal hair growth, infertility and ovarian cysts. Traditionally, a diagnosis could only be made if ovarian cysts were present. By changing the name, and removing emphasis on ovaries, diagnosing patients with PMOS has become a whole lot easier.

There is still no cure for PMOS. Most diagnoses only do so much as recognise the patient’s higher risk of miscarriage, ovarian cancer, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes as well as anxiety and depression.

Most doctors will prescribe hormonal birth control or suggest diet and lifestyle changes to manage symptoms.

A name change is the first step towards better advocacy for women’s issues like PMOS. By changing the way the condition is recognised, patients will have better access to earlier diagnoses and treatment plans. 

However, the change highlights decades of neglected women’s health research. Studies show that PMOS received only $31.84 million in research funding from 2016 to 2022, whereas conditions like tuberculosis and rheumatoid arthritis received $66.10 million and $262.40 million, respectively, despite significantly lower numbers of patients.

Image Source: Brown Brothers Harriman