PCOS has a new name: polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS)

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PCOS/PMOS International consensus · 2026

Key finding

After a 14-year process with more than 22,000 survey responses and 56 patient and professional organisations, an international consensus has renamed polycystic ovary syndrome as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). The new name reflects that the condition affects hormones, metabolism, weight, mental health and skin as well as the ovaries, and that it does not involve an increase in abnormal ovarian cysts. It affects about 1 in 8 women worldwide.

What it means for practice

Expect both names during a three-year transition; the 2028 international guideline will use PMOS in full. Writing PCOS/PMOS for now helps patients link the two, and the new name is a useful prompt to check metabolic risk, not just fertility.

Reference

Teede H, Piltonen T, Dokras A, et al. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. The Lancet, published 12 May 2026.

Read the original paper

Summarised by the Draxer Clinical Advisory Department for health professionals. It supports, and does not replace, clinical judgement.

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