A global effort is spreading awareness of the new name for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, also known as PCOS. This condition affects over 3.1 million people in the UK. It affects their weight, health, and more. The new name will help people understand the condition better.

The condition is a chronic and complex hormonal disorder. Researchers found that people with the condition do not have more abnormal ovarian cysts.

Experts have been pushing for a name change for over a decade. The new name, Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome or PMOS, will improve understanding and care for patients.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome has been renamed as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome.

Professor Helena Teede said that the diverse features of the condition were often unappreciated. It was heartbreaking to see the delayed diagnosis and inadequate care for those affected.

The Director of Monash University’s Monash Centre for Health Research & Implementation said that international guidelines have advanced awareness and care, but a name change was the next critical step.

The name change journey has been published in The Lancet medical journal. It started 14 years ago as a collaboration of global experts and people with lived experience.

Professor Teede led the process alongside experts and organisation leads. Over the next three years, health professionals will have a transition period to replace the name. The PMOS name is expected to be fully implemented in 2028.

It’s hoped the new name will bring better understanding and care.

Professor Teede said that the agreed principles of the new name included patient benefit and scientific accuracy. This change was driven with and for those affected by the condition.

The new name will lead to worldwide advancements in clinical practice and research. The AE-PCOS Society President explained that the new name was carefully chosen to avoid stigma.

Rachel Morman, Chair of Verity, said that the new name leads with hormones and recognises the metabolic dimension. She was one of the experts with lived experiences weighing in on the name change.

The shift will reframe the conversation and demand that it is taken seriously. Despite decades of advocacy, the risk of change was worth the reward.

The name change will help people understand the condition better. The Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation website has more information about PMOS.

The Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation website has more information and resources about PMOS.