Pediatric Research Update: The New Name for PCOS - Now PMOS

Article Summary #

The authors established an international steering group composed of lead agencies, patient advocacy groups, and professional societies to conduct a rigorous global consensus process for renaming polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), building on an established mandate for change. Two global surveys (Survey A and Survey B) and two corresponding workshops (Workshop A and Workshop B) were conducted to achieve consensus regarding the terminology change. The article outlines the rationale and supporting evidence for adopting a new name for the condition. Through this process, consensus was reached on the new name: polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).

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Article review #

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 170 million women worldwide during their reproductive years and is associated with significant metabolic, reproductive, psychological, and dermatological complications, underpinned by multisystem endocrine disturbances. In adolescents aged 10–19 years, diagnosis requires oligo-anovulation along with clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism. Despite its prevalence and broad health impact, the term PCOS has long been criticized for not fully reflecting the complexity of the condition. In response, an international initiative led by Verity, the Monash University Centre for Research Excellence in Women’s Health in Reproductive Life, and the Androgen Excess and PCOS Society developed a global consensus process to establish a more accurate name: polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). This Health Policy article outlines the consensus-building process and the implementation strategy for adopting the new terminology.

Methods #

An international steering committee made up of clinicians, researchers, professional societies, advocacy organizations, and individuals with PCOS coordinated the initiative. Patients with PCOS were actively involved throughout the entire process, including governance, survey design, workshops, interpretation of findings, and implementation planning.

Survey A included background information explaining the rationale for changing the name and had Likert-scale questions and free-text responses. A total of 9,358 individuals with PCOS and 3,656 health professionals participated. Workshop A followed and included 27 people with PCOS and 63 health professionals. Participants reviewed survey findings, discussed terminology in breakout groups, and voted on preferred terms.

Survey B was later developed to address unresolved issues from Workshop A, particularly regarding reproductive terminology and the final proposed name. Conducted in January 2026, Survey B included 1,053 people with PCOS and 293 health professionals. Workshop B then finalized the terminology after additional discussion and voting.

Results #

Survey A demonstrated strong support for terms such as endocrine or polyendocrine, metabolic or cardiometabolic, and ovulatory, ovary, or reproductive. Participants in Workshop A overwhelmingly supported changing the name, with only two individuals opposing the change. Workshop A prioritized endocrine and metabolic terminology and preferred ovulatory over reproductive, though concerns remained that ovulatory was too narrow a term. At Workshop B, after review of Survey B results, participants voted to adopt ovarian over ovulatory or ovary, as it more broadly encompassed the endocrine, follicular, and ovulatory disturbances of the condition.

Survey B initially identified “polyendocrine metabolic ovulatory syndrome” as the preferred option, but Workshop B refined the terminology to “polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome.” Nearly all participants supported the final name.

Implications #

The adoption of PMOS represents a major international effort to improve understanding, education, research, and clinical care related to the condition formerly known as PCOS. The previous name focused heavily on ovarian cysts, which are not universally present and do not accurately represent the underlying pathophysiology of the disorder.

The term polyendocrine recognizes the involvement of multiple hormonal pathways, including hyperandrogenism, abnormal gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulsatility, elevated luteinizing hormone levels, insulin resistance, and compensatory hyperinsulinemia. These hormonal and metabolic abnormalities contribute to excess androgen production and disrupted steroidogenesis. The inclusion of metabolic reflects evidence linking the condition to increased cardiovascular and metabolic risk. Ovarian was retained because ovarian dysfunction remains a defining feature of the disorder throughout and beyond reproductive life.

The implementation strategy includes academic dissemination, multilingual educational resources, integration into electronic health records and medical education systems, coordination with policy organizations and journals, and engagement with the World Health Organization for eventual ICD adoption. A planned 3-year transition period and incorporation into the 2028 International Guidelines are intended to support global adoption.

Strengths and Limitations #

One of the major strengths of this initiative was the extensive involvement of stakeholders, particularly individuals living with PCOS, throughout all stages of the process. The large international participation strengthened the credibility and inclusiveness of the consensus effort.

However, the study also had limitations. Participation from low- and middle-income countries was limited, particularly from regions in Asia, Africa, and South America. In addition, the use of voluntary, nonprobability sampling may have introduced selection bias and limited the generalizability of the findings. Response rates for Survey A also could not be accurately calculated because of the broad dissemination strategy.

Conclusion #

This article describes a structured and collaborative global consensus process that resulted in renaming PCOS to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). The new terminology more accurately reflects the condition’s endocrine, metabolic, and ovarian dysfunction while avoiding the misleading emphasis on ovarian cysts. The transition to PMOS has important implications for patient education, clinical care, research, and health policy worldwide and will be supported through a coordinated international implementation strategy over the next three years.