A major shift has taken place in women’s health terminology, with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) officially being renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) following a global medical consensus published in The Lancet.

The new name aims to better reflect the condition’s broader hormonal, metabolic and reproductive impact.

For years, doctors and researchers argued that the term “PCOS” was misleading because many women diagnosed with the condition do not actually develop ovarian cysts. Specialists also said the older name failed to capture the syndrome’s links with insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mental health complications.

The renaming follows years of consultations involving international endocrinologists, reproductive health experts and patient advocacy groups.

Under the new terminology, “Polyendocrine” highlights the involvement of multiple hormone systems, while “Metabolic” draws attention to the condition’s strong association with insulin resistance and metabolic disorders. “Ovarian” continues to reflect its impact on ovulation, menstruation and fertility.

Medical experts clarified that only the name has changed. The diagnostic criteria and the condition itself remain the same.

PMOS is commonly associated with irregular periods, excess androgen hormones, acne, facial hair growth, weight gain, insulin resistance and fertility challenges. Some patients may also develop multiple immature ovarian follicles.

Doctors say the condition can increase the long-term risk of Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, fatty liver disease, sleep disorders, depression and anxiety.

The change is particularly significant for India, where cases of PCOS have been rising steadily, especially among adolescents and young urban women.

Studies supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research have highlighted growing metabolic complications linked to the condition. Researchers have associated the rise with sedentary lifestyles, obesity, processed-food consumption, stress, poor sleep and genetic predisposition.

Several Indian studies estimate that the prevalence of the condition ranges from 3.7 percent to over 22 percent, depending on geography and diagnostic criteria.

Researchers have also observed that Indian women with the condition tend to develop metabolic complications at younger ages. An article published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research reported that metabolic syndrome affects more than one-third of Indian women with PCOS.

Doctors believe the shift from PCOS to PMOS could encourage earlier screening for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mental health issues, while also helping people understand that the disorder extends beyond fertility-related concerns.

Also read: Let’s talk about PCOS!