Following a global initiative by academics, clinicians and patient organisations, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is to be renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) to reflect the multifaceted, complex nature of the condition.
Indeed, despite the previous, long-standing name, the NHS PCOS information page says that one of the three main features of the condition – polycystic ovaries – is when ‘your ovaries become enlarged and contain many fluid-filled sacs (follicles) that surround the eggs’, but that ‘despite the name, you do not actually have cysts if you have PCOS’.
The other two main features, it notes, are ‘irregular periods – which means your ovaries do not regularly release eggs’ and ‘excess androgen – high levels of “male” hormones in your body, which may cause physical signs such as excess facial or body hair’.
Professor Colin Duncan of the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh told The Guardian PCOS as a name is misleading because it implies that there are cysts on the ovaries, which isn’t the case. He added that it likely came from when researchers first examined the ovaries of people with the condition and identified the small fluid-filled sacs that are actually follicles, not cysts.
While in healthy women, multiple follicles typically start to develop within an ovary each month, eventually leading to one reaching maturity and releasing an egg, in women with PCOS/PMOS, these sacs often can’t release an egg due to follicles not fully maturing, meaning ovulation doesn’t occur – making becoming pregnant difficult for some women.
To be diagnosed with PCOS/PMOS, women must have two of the three criteria listed above (irregular periods, excess androgen, polycystic ovaries), meaning you can have the condition without having polycystic ovaries – which was a big reason for the name change.
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‘It’s a disorder in the ovary, but there are other manifestations which are equally if not more important in terms of metabolic abnormalities,’ Stephen Franks, an emeritus professor of reproductive endocrinology at Imperial College London, told The Guardian.
Indeed, symptoms of and subsequent metabolic and mental health issues that can arise from the condition can be wide-ranging, and include increased risk of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
The World Health Organisation estimates that while PCOS/PMOS affects 10-13% of reproductive-aged women globally, up to 70% are unaware they have the condition, while the NHS says it likely affects around one in 10 women in the UK, with more than half not having any symptoms.
The hope, then, is that the new name will tackle entrenched misunderstandings of PCOS/PMOS, recognising how differently women can experience the disorder and improving access to the right support in navigating and managing individual symptoms.
Hannah Bradfield is a Senior Health and Fitness Writer for Women’s Health UK. An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Hannah graduated from Loughborough University with a BA in English and Sport Science and an MA in Media and Cultural Analysis. She has been covering sports, health and fitness for the last five years and has created content for outlets including BBC Sport, BBC Sounds, Runner’s World and Stylist. She especially enjoys interviewing those working within the community to improve access to sport, exercise and wellness. Hannah is a 2024 John Schofield Trust Fellow and was also named a 2022 Rising Star in Journalism by The Printing Charity. A keen runner, Hannah was firmly a sprinter growing up (also dabbling in long jump) but has since transitioned to longer-distance running. While 10K is her favoured race distance, she loves running or volunteering at parkrun every Saturday, followed, of course, by pastries. She’s always looking for fun new runs and races to do and brunch spots to try.
