Last updated: October 2026
PCOS has a new name: polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS. It is the same condition, renamed in May 2026 after a global expert and patient consensus, because it affects hormones and metabolism, not just the ovaries, and isn’t caused by cysts. If you were diagnosed with PCOS, your diagnosis and treatment still stand.
Below: what PMOS means, why the name changed, what it means for you in the UK, the symptoms, how it’s diagnosed and treated, and where to get support.
What does PMOS mean?
PMOS stands for polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome. Each word describes part of the condition:
- Polyendocrine: it involves several hormone systems, including insulin and testosterone, not just reproductive hormones.
- Metabolic: it affects how your body handles energy and blood sugar. Insulin resistance is common.
- Ovarian: it can affect ovulation, periods and fertility.
- Syndrome: a group of symptoms that show up differently from person to person.
The NHS describes PMOS as a hormone condition that can affect hair growth, periods, fertility and mood, and says it used to be called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). There is no cure, but treatment and lifestyle changes can help. The UK charity Verity says it affects about 1 in 8 women in the UK, or over 4 million people.
If you’re working out whether your symptoms could be hormonal, our guide to hormonal imbalance symptoms in women covers PMOS alongside thyroid problems, PMS and perimenopause.
Why was PCOS renamed?
The old name was misleading. “Polycystic” suggests the ovaries are full of cysts, but the small “cysts” seen on a scan are actually follicles (developing eggs) that have stopped growing, not true cysts. And you don’t need to have these “polycystic” ovaries to be diagnosed at all.
The experts behind the change said the PCOS name:
- implied that ovarian cysts were the problem
- hid the hormonal and metabolic side of the condition, such as insulin resistance
- contributed to delayed diagnosis, care split between different specialists, and stigma
- framed it mainly as a fertility problem, when it’s a lifelong condition
The new name was published in The Lancet on 12 May 2026. It came from a global consensus process led by Monash University in Australia, involving 56 academic, clinical and patient organisations, including the UK charity Verity. Surveys drew responses from 14,360 people with PCOS and health professionals across every world region, followed by expert workshops. The group chose an accurate new name over keeping the PCOS letters.
PCOS vs PMOS: quick facts
| PCOS (old name) | PMOS (new name) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Polycystic ovary syndrome | Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome |
| Is it the same condition? | Yes. Only the name has changed. | |
| What the name suggests | Cysts on the ovaries | Hormones, metabolism and the ovaries |
| Diagnosis | Unchanged: 2 out of 3 features (see below) | |
| Treatment | Unchanged by the rename | |
| Name used by the NHS | Still listed as an alternative name | Main name on the NHS website |
| When it changed | 12 May 2026, with a three-year transition when both names are used | |
What changes for you in the UK?
For most people, very little changes day to day:
- Your diagnosis still stands. PCOS and PMOS are the same condition, so you don’t need new tests or a new diagnosis.
- The diagnostic criteria haven’t changed. Doctors still look for 2 out of 3 key features.
- Your treatment doesn’t change because of the name. Keep taking any medicines as prescribed.
- You’ll see both names for a while. Verity says there is a three-year transition period, so letters, records and leaflets may say PCOS, PMOS or both.
- The NHS has switched. The NHS website page is now titled polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).
- New NICE guidance is coming. NICE, which sets clinical guidance for England, is developing its first PMOS guideline, using the new name. A draft went out for consultation in July and August 2026, and publication is expected in January 2027.
The hope is that the new name will help doctors look beyond periods and fertility and check things like blood sugar, blood pressure and mood as well. You don’t need to book a GP appointment just because of the rename, but it can be a good prompt to ask about routine checks if you haven’t had them for a while.
PMOS symptoms
The NHS says symptoms usually start at puberty and can continue until menopause. They can be mild or severe, and some people have none at all. The main symptoms are:
- irregular periods or long gaps between periods
- excess hair growth (hirsutism) or hair loss (see stress and hair loss for other causes of thinning)
- weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- difficulty getting pregnant
- mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety
- oily skin and acne (see stress acne for how stress plays a part)
- feeling very tired
- thick, dark patches of skin on the neck or armpits (acanthosis nigricans)
Many of these overlap with other conditions. Tiredness, for example, has lots of causes (see why am I always tired?), and mood changes before a period may be PMS. After menopause, the NHS says some PMOS symptoms stop or change; see perimenopause symptoms and menopause weight gain if you’re in your 40s or 50s.
How PMOS is diagnosed
If a GP thinks you might have PMOS, they may arrange tests or refer you to a gynaecologist or endocrinologist. The NHS lists:
- blood tests to check hormone levels and insulin resistance
- an ultrasound scan of your ovaries (only if you’re over 18)
The diagnostic criteria, first agreed in Rotterdam in 2003 and since updated, are the same as they were for PCOS. Adults are diagnosed when they have 2 of these 3 features, after other possible causes have been ruled out:
- irregular periods or problems with ovulation
- signs of high androgens (“male” hormones such as testosterone), either symptoms like excess hair and acne or raised levels on a blood test
- many follicles on an ovarian ultrasound, or a raised anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level on a blood test
Verity points out that you don’t need polycystic ovaries on a scan to be diagnosed. If you already have irregular periods and signs of high androgens, a scan or AMH test isn’t needed to confirm it.
Treatment and self-help
There’s no cure, but the NHS says treatment and lifestyle changes can help. Depending on your symptoms, a doctor may suggest:
- the combined pill, progestogen-only pill or a hormonal coil (IUS) for irregular periods
- clomifene to help with fertility
- spironolactone or eflornithine to reduce facial and body hair
- metformin, a type 2 diabetes medicine
- weight loss medicines if you’re overweight
- skin creams or tablets for acne
If other treatments haven’t worked for fertility, a small operation called laparoscopic ovarian drilling may sometimes be offered.
Things the NHS suggests you can do yourself:
- eat a healthy, balanced diet (our guide to iron-rich foods can help if your periods are heavy or you’re often tired)
- exercise regularly
- try to lose weight if you’re overweight; NHS Better Health has free tools
- try talking therapy if symptoms are causing depression or anxiety
- remove unwanted hair by shaving, waxing, creams, electrolysis or laser
Supplements aren’t a treatment for PMOS. If you’re curious about them, our guides to magnesium for PCOS and ashwagandha for PCOS look at what the research really shows, and when to avoid them. Always tell your GP or pharmacist about any supplement you take, especially if you’re on medication or trying to conceive.
Long-term health risks
This is a big reason for the new name. The NHS says PMOS can increase the risk of:
- type 2 diabetes
- high blood pressure
- cardiovascular disease
- non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- womb (uterus) cancer
Verity also lists sleep apnoea and higher risks during pregnancy. Regular check-ups help catch problems early, so ask your GP how often you should have your blood sugar and blood pressure checked. If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, tell your GP or midwife that you have PMOS.
Mental health matters too. Depression and anxiety are listed as main symptoms, so don’t wait to ask for help if your mood is low. Our guides to anxiety symptoms and low mood vs depression explain the signs and where to get support.
Where to get support
- Your GP: the first stop for symptoms, tests, referrals and regular check-ups.
- Verity: the UK PMOS (formerly PCOS) charity, with information, booklets and peer support. It was part of the renaming process.
- British Fertility Society: information for the public if you’re trying to get pregnant.
- NHS Better Health: free tools to help you get active and manage your weight.
When to see a GP
See a GP if you think you might have PMOS, if your periods are irregular or have stopped, if you’re struggling to get pregnant, or if symptoms such as hair growth, acne, weight changes or low mood are affecting your daily life, work or relationships. These symptoms can have many causes, so it’s worth getting them checked.
FAQs
Is PMOS the same as PCOS?
Yes. PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome) is the new name for PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). It is the same condition, with the same symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
When did PCOS change to PMOS?
The new name was published in The Lancet on 12 May 2026, after a global consensus process. There is a three-year transition period, so you will see both names for a while.
Why was PCOS renamed PMOS?
The old name suggested the condition was about ovarian cysts, which it isn’t. The new name reflects that it affects several hormones and metabolism, such as insulin resistance, as well as the ovaries.
Do I need to be rediagnosed if I have PCOS?
No. A PCOS diagnosis is a PMOS diagnosis. The diagnostic criteria haven’t changed, and your treatment doesn’t change because of the new name.
Does PMOS mean I have cysts on my ovaries?
No. The small spots seen on a scan are follicles that have stopped developing, not true cysts. You don’t need polycystic ovaries on a scan to be diagnosed with PMOS.
Has the NHS changed PCOS to PMOS?
Yes. The NHS website now calls the condition polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) and says it used to be called PCOS. NICE is also using PMOS in the guideline it is developing.
Sources
- NHS. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). Reviewed June 2026.
- Teede HJ et al. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. The Lancet, 2026. PMID 42119588.
- Bahri-Khomami M et al. From polycystic ovary syndrome to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome: what obstetricians and gynecologists need to know. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2026. PMID 42665241.
- NICE. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS): guideline in development.
- Verity, the UK PCOS charity. verity-pcos.org.uk.
- Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS Consensus Workshop Group. Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertility and Sterility, 2004. PMID 14711538.
- Verity. Diagnosing PMOS.
- British Fertility Society. Information for the public.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Speak to your GP about your own symptoms and treatment. Evopure makes food supplements; none of them is a treatment for PMOS.
