Dr. Sunanda Kulshrestha, Ph.D.
From PCOS to PMOS: Rationale and Clinical Significance of the New Terminology.
Millions of women have been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) for decades. The name itself seems to imply that “cysts” are the defining conditions and that the issue is mainly found in the ovaries. However, current scientific knowledge reveals a far more comprehensive picture.
The term PCOS was replaced in May 2026 by Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) by an international group of experts. The change reflects a significant shift in the understanding of the condition, which is now recognised as a complex, lifelong condition involving multiple hormonal, metabolic, reproductive, and psychological pathways rather than just an ovarian disorder (Teede et al., 2026).
One in eight women has PMOS. The term PCOS is misleading because it suggests pathological ovarian cysts, obscuring a variety of endocrine and metabolic characteristics. This in turn hinders research and policy framing while causing delayed diagnosis, fragmented care, and stigma. Teede and her colleagues outlined an unprecedented, stringent, multi-step global consensus process for the name change for over a decade, building on an international mandate for change (Forslund et al., 2026). 56 of the top academic, clinical, and patient organisations were involved across the world for the consensus process. Through the use of modified Delphi surveys that generated responses from 14,360 PCOS patients and multidisciplinary health professionals from all over the world; nominal group technique workshops involving 90 representatives globally; marketing and communication analyses; and iterative global surveys (with ), the team identified principles to enable this name change. The entire process prioritised scientific accuracy, clarity, and stigma avoidance (Sengupta et al., 2026).
Evolution was given precedence over transformation in implementation strategies. The multisystem pathophysiology of the condition was reflected in the preferred terms polyendocrine, metabolic, and ovarian; subsequently, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome was the agreed-upon new name. By capturing endocrine, metabolic, and ovarian dysfunction and excluding cysts, accuracy was increased. There is currently a co-designed global implementation strategy in place that includes education, a transition period, and alignment with disease classification and health systems (Kordowitzki and Teede, 2026).
The evidence-based overview of PCOS as a complex, chronic endocrine–metabolic disorder extending beyond reproductive dysfunction has been explored and quoted by Vergara et al., 2026 and Saadati et al., 2026. The paper explores the multifactorial pathophysiology of PCOS, with emphasis on insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, androgen excess, altered ovarian steroidogenesis, gonadotropin dysregulation, adipose tissue dysfunction, and chronic low-grade inflammation. The study suggested the participants presented with the heterogeneous clinical presentation and challenges associated, a timely and accurate diagnosis. The major reproductive and metabolic comorbidities associated with PCOS, include anovulatory infertility, menstrual dysfunction, obesity, metabolic syndrome, impaired glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular risk, depression, obstructive sleep apnea, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatosis liver disease (MASLD), and increased risk of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer.
It is important to gain the understanding of PMOS as a lifelong condition requiring individualized, multidisciplinary management, integrating lifestyle modification, nutritional and weight management, metabolic risk reduction, menstrual regulation, hyperandrogenism management, fertility care, and prevention of long-term complications. There is also a need to enhance the healthcare professionals’ competence in recognizing PMOS, conducting appropriate evaluation, identifying associated comorbidities, and implementing personalized, evidence-based management strategies to improve reproductive, metabolic, and overall health outcomes.
Author:
Dr. Sunanda Kulshrestha, Ph.D (Department of Biotechnology, GLA University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India).
Edited By:
Dr. Shalini Mukherjee, Ph.D (Molecular Biology), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Scientific Editor and Core Member at Aabir Bio-Services Foundation
References
- Teede, H. J., Khomami, M. B., Morman, R., Laven, J. S., Joham, A. E., Costello, M. F., … & Zhang, Y. (2026). Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. The Lancet, 407(10545), 2329-2339.
- Forslund, M., Melin, J., Joham, A. E., Piltonen, T. T., Rees, D. A., & Teede, H. J. (2026). Recent advances in polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, formerly polycystic ovary syndrome, with emphasis on endocrine and metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular risk. Journal of Internal Medicine.
- Kordowitzki, P., & Teede, H. (2026). Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome—a new name for an old problem. Nature metabolism, 1-3.
- Sengupta, P., & Dutta, S. (2026). A practical guide on Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) for Clinicians. Journal of Integrated Science and Technology, 14(7), 1610-1610.
- Vergara, J. A. M., Muñoz, E. M., de la Llata, E. S., & de Mola, J. R. L. (2026). From PCOS to PMOS: perspectives on the new nomenclature. The Lancet, 408(10549), 26-27.
- Saadati, P. D. S., Morman, R., Khomami, P. D. M. B., Norman, M. R. J., & Piltonen, M. P. D. T. (2026). From Polycystic Ovary Syndrome to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome: A Systematic Search and Historical Account of the Renaming of PCOS. Fertility and Sterility.