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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is now PMOS.(Image credit: PonyWang via Getty Images)Share this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleSubscribe to our newsletter
Last week, PCOS underwent a significant renaming.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is henceforth to be known as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). The primary objection to the former name was its inaccurate portrayal of the condition, which impacts approximately 1 in 8 women globally. It suggested that ovaries laden with numerous pathological cysts were a defining characteristic of the syndrome, which is not the case.
Research has indicated that individuals with PMOS are not more prone to developing pathological ovarian cysts than those without the disorder. Instead, they frequently exhibit immature eggs, termed “arrested follicles,” which gather in the ovaries as a result of the hormonal imbalances associated with the condition. According to experts, the new designation more accurately represents the nature of the syndrome by emphasizing these hormonal disruptions that subsequently affect metabolic functions throughout the body—leading to insulin resistance and weight gain, for instance—in addition to impacting the reproductive system, skin, and mental well-being.
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What are your sentiments regarding the new name? Share your opinions in the poll below, and express your thoughts in the comments section. If you personally have PMOS, your perspective is particularly valued!
(Did you know: PMOS has actually been subject to several prior name alterations. Its original appellation was Stein-Leventhal syndrome, named after the physicians who first documented its characteristics.)