According to current fertility data, a condition formerly referred to as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects roughly 170,000 million women during their reproductive years. That works out to roughly 1 in 8 women. In addition to being a leading cause of female infertility, PCOS was often overlooked and underdiagnosed by primary practitioners and OB/GYNs. This left women without the information, support, and education they needed to optimize their health and to plan for their fertility futures.

Phasing into an official use of PCOS to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome will take about three years, after which providers will only refer to it in its new acronym, PMOS.

Changing PCOS to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) Improves Treatment & Outcomes

The term PCOS only indicated one of the syndrome’s potential symptoms – multiple ovarian cysts – which wasn’t a mainstay for women who had it. The name also omitted any reference to root causes or indicators of the condition, which include a prevalence of hormonal and metabolic imbalances. While these imbalances increased a woman’s risk of infertility, they also posed several other long-term health issues that were swept under the rug when PCOS was viewed as a largely reproductive disease.

As a result, more than 50 medical organizations came together to rename PCOS to better reflect its root causes. The goal is to improve physician and public awareness, leading to earlier and more accurate diagnoses. And, as with any health condition, early and accurate diagnosis yields better treatment and health outcomes for the patient.

Here’s To Women at the Forefront of Endocrinology & Reproductive Health

A female endocrinologist led the mission to rename the PCOS, Dr. Helene Teede, who spent decades working with women who had PCOS and researching its causes. An article posted on endocrine.org quoted Teede in a response about why the name change was so important and what the change would accomplish:

“What we now know is that there is actually no increase in abnormal cysts on the ovary, and the diverse features of the condition were often unappreciated. It was heartbreaking to see the delayed diagnosis, limited awareness, and inadequate care afforded those affected by this neglected condition…While international guidelines have advanced awareness and care, a name change was the next critical step towards recognition and improvement in the long-term impacts of this condition.”

The GIVF team is proud to see how the rise of women in our field has helped to move this misunderstood condition into the spotlight. Now, women around the world have access to a more accurate diagnosis of PMOS, along with the short- and long-term care plans to optimize overall health and fertility.

What You Need to Know About Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)

While the symptoms of PMOS don’t look all that different from those formerly known as PCOS, they are worth a review. All of them are linked to one or more imbalances or disturbances in insulin, androgens, and neuroendocrine and ovarian hormones.

The following signs of PMOS are all a result of those imbalances and disturbances:

• Male balding or hair patterns.
• Irregular ovulation.
• Moodiness and tendencies toward depression.
• Carrying weight around the middle (apple-shaped body).
• Trouble losing weight regardless of diet/exercise.
• Sugar cravings and insulin resistance.
• Sleep disturbances.

Some, but not all, women do experience multiple ovarian cysts that can look like a “string of pearls” on imaging scans. However, the move to reclassify the disease as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian disorder helps to maintain a wider lens and support women with a more holistic treatment plan that helps with insulin resistance, supports more regular ovulation, and increases natural fertility rates.

Experiencing signs of PMOS? Seek Help from Your OB/GYN or a Fertility Specialist

Have you noticed signs of PMOS but not known they were part of a wider set of health issues? You are not alone. Schedule an appointment with your OBGYN to discuss your concerns.

If you’ve been struggling with infertility, and believe PMOS is the culprit, connect with us here at GIVF . Here, we pair compassionate, patient-centric attention with forward-thinking, diagnostic and fertility treatment support.