PCOS is now PMOS – but why has the name changed? We ask a doctor what PMOS means, the PCOS symptoms to know and how it can affect hormones, fertility and metabolic health
Summary
1What is PMOS?
PMOS is the new name for PCOS, reflecting how the condition can affect your hormones, metabolism, ovaries and wider health.
2PMOS symptoms and diagnosis
PMOS symptoms vary from person to person – and you don’t need polycystic ovaries or every symptom to receive a diagnosis.
3Living well with PMOS
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to PMOS. Find out how nutrition, movement, sleep and the right support can help your health.
PCOS has a new name: PMOS. But if you’ve spent years understanding your symptoms – or have only just got your head around a PCOS diagnosis – you might understandably be wondering: what’s actually changed?1,2
The answer is more than a letter. Around one in eight women and people assigned female at birth are thought to have polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) – previously known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).3 And despite its old name, the condition affects more than just the ovaries. It can affect everything from your menstrual cycle and fertility to your skin, hair, mood and metabolic health.
And that wider impact is exactly why the name has changed. “PMOS better reflects how wide-ranging the condition can be across a person’s whole body,” explains Dr Kate Smith. So, does the new name change your diagnosis or how the condition is managed? And what should you now be looking out for? That’s why we spoke to Dr Smith to find out what you need to know.
What is PMOS?
PMOS stands for polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome. PMOS is a condition that can affect hormones, metabolism and the ovaries. It can affect periods, ovulation and fertility, but its effects aren’t limited to reproductive health. People with PMOS may have higher levels of androgens, hormones such as testosterone, or their bodies may respond differently to hormones such as insulin.1
Insulin helps control the amount of glucose in your blood. Some people with PMOS have insulin resistance, which means the body’s tissues don’t respond to insulin as effectively as they should. The body may then produce more insulin to compensate and these higher insulin levels can contribute to increased androgen production.1
But there’s no single PMOS experience. Symptoms – and their severity – can vary significantly from person to person.
"PMOS better reflects the fact that the condition can have reproductive, hormonal and metabolic effects"
Why has PCOS changed to PMOS?
For years, the name PCOS put the focus firmly on the ovaries. But our understanding of the condition has moved on. PMOS better reflects the fact that the condition can have reproductive, hormonal and metabolic effects across the body, rather than affecting only the ovaries.2,5
As Dr Smith explains, “PMOS can affect the ovaries, fertility and multiple hormones, and can have wider metabolic effects. It’s also associated with an increased risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”
The new name also helps tackle one of the biggest misconceptions around the condition: you don’t have to have polycystic ovaries to have PMOS.4 "The change should help patients and clinicians recognise how far-reaching PMOS can be. It’s also hoped that it’ll encourage earlier diagnosis and regular check-ups, strengthen research and help support more equal access to treatment."2,6
You may still see PCOS used by healthcare professionals, in research and online as the new terminology becomes established, but PMOS and PCOS refer to the same condition.
What are polycystic ovaries?
Despite its previous name, having PMOS doesn’t necessarily mean you have ovarian cysts. The ‘polycystic’ appearance associated with the condition actually refers to a large number of small follicles in the ovaries. Follicles are fluid-filled sacs in which eggs develop. With PMOS, these follicles may not mature enough to release an egg, which can affect ovulation.3 However, not everyone with PMOS has this ovarian appearance. "PMOS can be diagnosed without polycystic ovaries being seen on an ultrasound, as long as the other diagnostic features are present," says Dr Smith.4
What causes PMOS?
There isn’t one simple answer – and there’s unlikely to be a single cause. Instead, research suggests a combination of genetics, hormones and the way your body responds to insulin may be involved...1,5,7
PMOS can run in families, so you may be more likely to develop it if a close relative has the condition.3 But hormones are another piece of the puzzle. Higher levels of androgens can interfere with ovulation and contribute to symptoms such as excess hair growth, acne and hair loss.1 Then there’s insulin resistance, which means if your body is less responsive to insulin, it may produce more of it, which can encourage the ovaries to produce more androgens, potentially affecting ovulation and other symptoms.1,5,7
There’s still plenty we don’t know, though, and researchers continue to investigate why PMOS develops and why it affects people differently.
What are the symptoms of PMOS?
PMOS doesn’t look the same for everyone. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, while some people may not experience any obvious symptoms at all. Common PMOS and PCOS symptoms and features can include:3
- irregular periods or no periods
- excessive hair growth, known as hirsutism, often on the face or body
- thinning hair or hair loss from the head
- weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- oily skin or acne
- tiredness
- changes to mood or mental health, including depression and anxiety
- difficulty getting pregnant due to irregular or absent ovulation
Dr Smith explains that one common misconception is that you need to have most of these symptoms to get a diagnosis
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but that's not the case. “The severity of symptoms can range from mild to severe, and some people may not experience any obvious symptoms.” Many of these symptoms can have other causes too. So, if you’ve noticed changes to your periods, hair, skin, or wider health, speak to your GP rather than trying to diagnose PMOS yourself.
“You don’t need polycystic ovaries to have PMOS”
How is PMOS diagnosed?
There isn’t one single test for PCOS or PMOS. Your doctor will usually ask about your symptoms and periods and may arrange blood tests to check your hormone levels. You may also be offered an ultrasound scan to look at your ovaries or, in adults, another blood test may sometimes be used as part of the assessment.3,4
A diagnosis is based on particular features of the condition while ruling out other possible causes of your symptoms. Crucially, you don’t necessarily need to have polycystic ovaries to be diagnosed with PMOS. Dr Smith explains: “PMOS can be diagnosed even if the ovaries don’t look polycystic, as long as the other two features are present – hormone changes or symptoms linked with these and effects on ovulation by infrequent or no periods.” 4
Equally, having ovaries that appear polycystic on an ultrasound doesn’t automatically mean you have PMOS. If you think you might have PMOS, make an appointment with your GP. Keeping a record of your periods and any symptoms you’ve noticed may help you prepare for the conversation.
How is PMOS treated?
There’s currently no cure for PMOS, but treatment can help manage its symptoms – the right approach will depend on how it affects you.3 Medicines may be used to help manage symptoms including irregular periods, fertility difficulties, excessive hair growth and acne. PMOS is also associated with an increased risk of some longer-term health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.3 That’s why regular health checks can be an important part of looking after your wider health.1
If PMOS is affecting your fertility, your doctor can talk you through treatments and the support available, too.
Find movement you enjoy
Regular movement supports both physical and mental health, whether you have PMOS or not.1 Rather than searching for the ‘best exercise for PCOS’, focus on movement you enjoy and can realistically fit into your routine. That might be walking, swimming, cycling, yoga, resistance training or a mixture of different activities.
If you’re new to exercise or have another health condition, speak to a healthcare professional about what’s appropriate for you.
Focus on a balanced diet
You don’t need to follow a restrictive ‘PCOS diet’ or ‘PMOS diet’.1 Instead, aim for a varied, balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, wholegrain carbohydrates, protein and sources of unsaturated fats. Fibre-rich foods such as wholegrains, beans, lentils, fruit and vegetables can also form an important part of a healthy diet.
There isn’t one way of eating that'll suit everyone with PMOS.1,3 If you’re finding food, weight or your symptoms difficult to manage, ask your GP whether individual advice from a dietitian could help.
Think about your health, not just weight
PMOS affects people across different body sizes, so weight loss isn’t necessary or appropriate for everyone with the condition.1,3 For some people living with overweight or obesity, a healthcare professional may discuss whether weight management could benefit their individual symptoms or longer-term health.1,3 The focus should be on your overall health and individual needs rather than assuming everyone with PMOS needs to lose weight.
What about supplements?
Spend a few minutes searching for PCOS online and you’ll probably come across supplements, particularly inositol. Research has explored inositol and a number of other supplements for people with PCOS (as it was previously known) or PMOS. However, evidence for the benefits of inositol in PMOS remains limited and uncertain, and supplements shouldn’t replace medical treatment.1,8,9
If you’re considering a supplement, speak to your GP, pharmacist or another qualified healthcare professional first – particularly if you take medication, are pregnant or are trying to conceive.
Prioritise sleep and mental wellbeing
PMOS can affect more than your physical health. Depression and anxiety are more common in people with PMOS, and dealing with changes to your periods, fertility, hair, skin or weight can take a toll on how you feel too.1 Prioritising good-quality sleep, staying active and seeking support when you need it can all form part of looking after your wider wellbeing.
If PMOS is affecting your mental health or everyday life, speak to your GP.
Where can I get PMOS support?
You don’t have to figure everything out alone. If you think you might have PMOS, have noticed possible PMOS symptoms or are finding the condition difficult to manage, speak to your GP.
For further information and guidance about your menstrual health, you can also contact Holland & Barrett’s free menstrual health helpline.
The helpline doesn’t replace medical advice or diagnosis, so always speak to a healthcare professional if you’re concerned about your symptoms or health.
PMOS FAQs
PMOS can affect ovulation, which may make it more difficult for some people to get pregnant. However, having PMOS doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant and treatments are available if you need support with fertility.3
Some people with PMOS have an increased risk of longer-term health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.1,3 Regular health checks can help you keep track of your wider health.1
PMOS can affect everyone differently, so having regular periods doesn’t necessarily rule it out. Diagnosis considers a combination of features rather than any single symptom.4
There’s currently no cure for PMOS, but treatment can help manage its symptoms. What’s recommended will depend on your symptoms, overall health and whether you’re trying to get pregnant.3
The final say
Changing the name from PCOS to PMOS might seem like a small difference, but it helps paint a much bigger picture. PMOS isn’t simply about the ovaries – it can affect hormones, metabolism, periods, fertility and wider physical health, and is also associated with impacts on mental wellbeing. It’s also important to remember that there’s no single PMOS experience. You don’t need to experience every symptom – or even have polycystic ovaries – to have the condition.
If you think you may have PMOS, speak to your GP about your symptoms and the support available.
Want to keep reading? Explore our guides to women’s multivitamins, hair growth and biotin and inositol to learn more about your health and some of the topics commonly discussed alongside PMOS.
Disclaimer – This article provides informational advice and isn’t a substitute for medical care. Working with experts for accuracy, we take great care to ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant. However, you should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.
1. Teede HJ, Tay CT, Laven JJE, Dokras A, Moran LJ, Piltonen TT, et al. Recommendations from the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023;108(10):2447-69. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/108/10/2447/7242360
2. Morman R. PMOS: What’s in a name? Everything. BMJ. 2026;393:e079749. Available from: https://www.bmj.com/content/393/bmj-2026-079749.long
3. NHS. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) [Internet]. NHS; 2026 [cited 2026 Aug 21]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polyendocrine-metabolic-ovarian-syndrome-pmos/
4. NICE. How should I diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome? [Internet]. NICE; 2024 [cited 2026 Aug 21]. Available from: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/diagnosis/diagnosis/
5. Li Y, Chen C, Ma Y, Xiao J, Luo G, Li Y, et al. Multi-system reproductive metabolic disorder: significance for the pathogenesis and therapy of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Life Sci. 2019;228:167-75. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002432051930308X
6. NICE. New draft PMOS guideline recommends annual review and could mean quicker diagnosis [Internet]. NICE; 2026 [cited 2026 Aug 21]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/news/articles/nice-recommends-annual-review-for-pmos-in-new-draft-guideline-aimed-at-improving-diagnosis-and-care
7. Capozzi A, Vignali M, Scambia G, Lello S. Pathophysiology and diagnostic criteria of PCOS. Minerva Obstet Gynecol. 2025;77(5):361-72. doi:10.23736/S2724-606X.24.05612-4. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39883425/
8. Khaled S, Ghoneim R, Fouda R, Abdel-Ghany A. Inositol supplementation in polycystic ovary syndrome: A review. J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2023;14(1):1–6. Available from: http://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9878965/
9. Greff D, Juhász AE, Váncsa S, Váradi A, Sipos Z, Szinte J, et al. Inositol is an effective and safe treatment in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2023;21(1):10. doi:10.1186/s12958-023-01055-z. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12958-023-01055-z
