A 22-year-old woman from Bengaluru experienced excessive facial hair, acne, weight gain, and irregular menstrual cycles. After consulting a dermatologist, she underwent an ultrasound that showed normal ovaries, leading to a diagnosis excluding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and only local treatment. However, her irregular cycles and weight gain persisted for nearly three more years until a gynecologist assessed her clinical symptoms and diagnosed PCOS.
Renaming PCOS to PMOS
Despite millions of women exhibiting clinical symptoms of PCOS, many remain undiagnosed due to the absence of ovarian cysts. To address this, PCOS has been renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). Gynecologists in Bengaluru have welcomed this change, stating it will help bridge the diagnostic and treatment gap for countless women.
“The shift from PCOS to PMOS is not merely a change in terminology; it is a shift towards understanding women’s health better and treating it more holistically,” said Dr. Priya SP Patil, consultant obstetrician and gynecologist at Altius Hospital, Rajajinagar.
Limitations of Previous Diagnosis
Doctors noted that earlier diagnosis often focused only on visible symptoms, leaving underlying metabolic conditions untreated. Dr. Varini N, senior consultant at Milann Fertility and Birthing Hospital, explained, “The word ‘polycystic’ dominated diagnosis because many women with normal ultrasounds were told they did not have the condition despite experiencing irregular periods, acne, weight gain, hair fall, or insulin resistance. These symptoms were often dismissed as lifestyle-related rather than signs of an endocrine disorder. Surprisingly, up to 50% of individuals with the condition do not show visible ovarian features.”
She added, “The old name reduced a systemic metabolic disorder to a reproductive issue. This led to fragmented care focused only on managing periods or acne while ignoring insulin resistance, cardiovascular risks, obesity, fatty liver disease, and mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression.”
Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
Experts emphasized that the renaming should encourage more thorough clinical assessment and diagnosis. “A PMOS diagnosis should never rely on a single investigation. It begins with a detailed clinical assessment, including menstrual history, symptoms of androgen excess such as acne or facial hair growth, weight patterns, and signs of insulin resistance,” said Dr. Sushma Krishnegowda, obstetrician and gynecologist at Apollo Hospitals.
“Metabolic screening is equally important and includes fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin levels, lipid profile, liver function tests, and blood pressure assessment. Ultrasound remains relevant, but it cannot be used as the sole diagnostic tool,” Dr. Sushma added.
Prevalence and Early Treatment
National estimates show PMOS affects 9–22% of women in their reproductive years. “From my clinical practice, I would say the prevalence of PMOS in Bengaluru is 10–15%, especially among women aged 20 to 40 years. Women can be diagnosed anytime after menarche, even during their teenage years. Early treatment is important because the first line of management involves weight reduction through a healthy diet and exercise,” said Dr. Sreeja Rani VR, senior consultant at Kinder Women’s Hospital and Fertility Centre.
Why Did PCOS Change to PMOS?
The terminology was officially changed from PCOS to PMOS in 2026 after nearly 14 years of discussions involving global medical experts, researchers, and patient advocacy groups. The change was announced at the European Congress of Endocrinology and published in The Lancet. The new term was introduced to better reflect the condition’s hormonal, metabolic, and multisystem nature.
