Written by Megan Hoffman, RD
What is it and why did the name change?
Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), previously known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), is a common endocrine condition amongst people with a uterus. It is considered a chronic health condition that occurs from adolescence to post-menopause and it cannot be reversed and does not have a cure.
A recent review of the research found that the global prevalence of PMOS was 12.1% (among adult women) using the diagnostic guidelines outlined in the Rotterdam criteria.¹ It was also estimated that up to 70% of individuals affected by the condition remain undiagnosed due to widespread knowledge gaps amongst health professionals and a lack of high-quality research.²
The recent name change of this condition was because the old name, PCOS, could be misleading. Even though it was called polycystic ovarian syndrome, research showed that people with the condition are not more likely to have ovarian cysts than people without it.³ By removing the word “polycystic” this more accurately reflects the condition.
The new name includes the words “polyendocrine metabolic” because this condition affects much more than the ovaries. It can impact many different systems throughout the body.
Polyendocrine means that the condition affects the body's hormonal system. Hormones are chemical messengers made by glands and organs that help control many body functions. PMOS can disrupt hormones such as insulin, testosterone, and the hormones involved in ovulation and the menstrual cycle.
Metabolic means that the condition can affect how the body uses and stores energy. This may impact how the body controls blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Because of this, people with the condition have a higher risk of developing other health concerns such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, heart disease and sleep apnea.²
The word ovarian remains in the name because the condition does affect the ovaries and reproductive health. It can cause irregular menstrual periods and problems with ovulation, which may lead to difficulty becoming pregnant, pregnancy complications, and an increased risk of cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer).²
This condition also has psychological impacts such as depression, anxiety, poor quality of life, and eating disorders.²
Due to the high prevalence of this condition, the under-diagnosis, and lack of high-quality research there is a real need for improvements in these areas. As well, the significant health consequences make it very important for people with PMOS to get the treatment that they need and deserve.
The bottom line is that PMOS is a serious condition with far reaching impacts on one’s health and wellbeing. Now, let’s explore current management recommendations and the limitations that lie within the recommendation of “just lose weight”.
Do I need to lose weight to manage PMOS?
Current treatment and support options for PMOS may not be the most effective due to the lack of high-quality research and poor understanding of the condition by healthcare professionals.
People diagnosed are often told to pursue intentional weight loss to manage their PMOS, and often without tailored support on how they are expected to lose weight. This can increase the risk of individuals turning toward harmful behaviours such as food restriction, eliminating entire food groups or engaging in excessive exercise.
Much of the research has suggested a higher prevalence of the condition for people in larger bodies.⁴ These people are more likely to encounter weight stigma in the healthcare system by professionals placing a greater emphasis on weight loss as a treatment option. It is well documented that weight stigma can contribute to lower physical health, lower psychological well-being, body blame and shame and appearance monitoring.⁵
Other research has suggested that there is “a lack of consistent evidence of physiological or behavioural lifestyle differences, related to weight, in women with PCOS compared to women without PCOS.”⁶ Meaning that women with the condition do not necessarily eat more or exercise less than women without it. Instead, the differences in body size may be driven by the endocrine and metabolic disruptions of the condition itself.
The research also outlines that individuals with PMOS are at an increased risk for dyslipidemia (high cholesterol and triglycerides), type 2 diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea; and should be screened for these issues independent of BMI (body mass index). This shows that people of all sizes can experience the same metabolic issues and that being in a larger body is not the cause of the condition, it may be an outcome or associated with it. So only being prescribed weight loss may not be the best treatment option, and may not directly target the underlying metabolic issues.
You might be wondering: if I am not pursuing intentional weight loss, then what can I do to manage my PMOS?
Read part two of this series to learn more!
References:
1. Neven, A. C. H., Forslund, M., Ranasinha, S., Sethi, P., Dhungana, R. R., Mousa, A., Tay, C. T., Teede, H., & Boyle, J. A. (2026). Prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome: a global and regional systematic review and meta-analysis. Human reproduction update, 32(3), 277–312. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmaf030
2. Teede, H. J., Khomami, M. B., Morman, R., Laven, J. S. E., Joham, A. E., Costello, M. F., Patil, M., Rees, D. A., Berry, L., Cree, M. G., Zhao, H., Norman, R. J., Dokras, A., Piltonen, T., & Global Name Change Consortium (2026). Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. Lancet (London, England), 407(10545), 2329–2339. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00717-8
3. Piltonen, T. T., Kuusiniemi, E., Teede, H., & WENDY Research Group study group (2026). Ovarian Cysts in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. JAMA internal medicine, e261370. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2026.1370
4. Toosy, S., Sodi, R., & Pappachan, J. M. (2018). Lean polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): an evidence-based practical approach. Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders, 17(2), 277-285.
5. Tylka, T. L., Annunziato, R. A., Burgard, D., Daníelsdóttir, S., Shuman, E., Davis, C., & Calogero, R. M. (2014). The weight‐inclusive versus weight‐normative approach to health: evaluating the evidence for prioritizing well‐being over weight loss. Journal of obesity, 2014(1), 983495.
