New Name for PCOS Reflects 'Whole-Body' Nature of Disorder

Health experts in Jersey argue that renaming Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) offers a more accurate description of the disorder, which impacts over 170 million women worldwide. The shift, implemented by the International PCOS Network on May 12, aims to broaden public understanding and enhance both diagnostic accuracy and treatment options.

Jessica Pinel, a nutritionist and chair of PCOS Jersey, emphasized that the previous terminology was misleading. "PCOS limited the condition to having an effect on women's ovaries, whereas we know that it is a full-body condition," Pinel stated. Following her own diagnosis three years ago, after spending more than £3,000 on treatments, she noted the vast diversity of symptoms patients experience, ranging from fatigue and unwanted hair growth to acne, brain fog, irregular menstruation, and infertility.

Pinel highlighted that the new name should help women access appropriate support for this wide spectrum of issues, noting that the condition affects each individual in unique ways. She also expressed concern regarding the reliability of information available online, citing instances where influencers were selling fraudulent cures, as reported by the BBC in 2024.

"Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook are often where people seek knowledge, so we must be extremely cautious," Pinel warned. She urged individuals to pursue professional medical advice and stressed the importance of advocating for oneself. Having faced initial diagnostic challenges, Pinel advised that patients are always entitled to a second opinion if they feel their concerns are being dismissed. "If you feel like you're not being seen or heard, then please go and seek that second opinion because you deserve it."

Dr. Jessica Langtree-Marsh, a GP in Jersey, echoed these sentiments, describing PCOS/PMOS as a condition that is both "hugely under-researched and hugely misunderstood." She criticized the current medical approach, which she described as often waiting until a patient desires pregnancy before addressing the issue. "We see it as simply: 'Come back when you want to have a baby and we'll fix it then,' but we need to look at this as a lifespan condition," she said.

Dr. Langtree-Marsh explained that the condition was identified 70 years ago by surgeons Dr. Irving Stein and Dr. Michael Leventhal, who observed specific ovarian characteristics in women with absent periods. Initially termed Stein-Leventhal Syndrome, it was later renamed PCOS. However, Dr. Langtree-Marsh noted that the old name incorrectly suggested the disorder was confined to the ovaries. The rebranding to PMOS is intended to acknowledge that the syndrome is systemic.

While admitting the new name is lengthy, Dr. Langtree-Marsh welcomed the change as a step toward more comprehensive care. She hopes the updated definition will encourage treatments that go beyond contraceptive pills, incorporating metabolic medications to better address the underlying health issues. The government is also preparing to publish a women’s health strategy later this year, fulfilling a requirement of the current Government Plan.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-26 05:27:03 UTC