Quick Facts

• PCOS has been renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) affecting 170 million women globally
• The 11-year research process involved input from over 22,000 people and 56 medical organizations
• New name implementation begins with a three-year transition period ending in 2028

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome has been officially renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome after an 11-year global research initiative. The landmark decision was announced May 12, 2026, and published in The Lancet.

The new name affects more than 170 million women worldwide, representing one in eight women. Up to 70% of people with the condition remain undiagnosed.

Professor Helena Teede of Monash University led the research process that collected input from over 22,000 people globally. More than 14,360 survey responses came from patients and healthcare professionals across 56 patient and professional organizations.

The final survey included responses from more than 4,000 people with PCOS and 3,500 health professionals. Results showed 86% of patients and 76% of health professionals supported the new name.

“Make no mistake, this is a landmark moment that will lead to desperately needed worldwide advancements in clinical practice and research,” Teede said. “What we now know is that there is actually no increase in abnormal cysts on the ovary, and the diverse features of the condition were often unappreciated.”

The renaming addresses a fundamental problem with the original name. Many patients do not have ovarian cysts despite the condition’s title. This has contributed to delayed diagnoses, fragmented care, and missed opportunities for early intervention in metabolic and cardiovascular risks.

Dr. Melanie Cree of the University of Colorado Anschutz explained the change’s importance: “Renaming this condition is more than semantics; it’s about finally recognizing the full reality of what patients experience. For too long, the narrow definition of PCOS has overlooked its metabolic and hormonal complexity.”

The new name emphasizes the condition’s hormonal and metabolic aspects. Current diagnostic criteria show 60% of women with the condition only need the first two criteria – excess androgens and irregular cycles – without requiring ovarian assessment.

Implementation will occur through a three-year transition period ending with official inclusion in the 2028 International Classification of Diseases update. The transition includes development of multilingual resources and incorporation into electronic health records and medical textbooks.

The change could expand research funding beyond reproductive health sources. The metabolic focus may enable new treatments like GLP-1s, shifting from primarily reproductive-focused treatment options.

Not everyone supports the change. PCOS Challenge, America’s largest PCOS association, criticized the process. Executive Director Sasha Ottey expressed concern that the new name is “more medically dense” for a condition already “swimming in jargon.”

The renaming represents what Teede calls “the largest initiative to change the name of a medical condition.” The new name will appear in medical research, clinical practice, and patient education materials worldwide.

Read more: PCOS Has Officially Been Renamed — What It Means For Millions Of Women