Title: A New Name for PCOS: Could This Help Other Women?

For Rochelle Lewis, the journey to understanding her health was a long and arduous one. It took years to pinpoint the cause of her symptoms, which included severe bloating, excessive facial hair, and persistent pain. The moment she received her diagnosis, the news was "absolutely devastating," particularly because it threatened her dream of becoming a mother. Lewis is one of more than 170 million women worldwide diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal condition characterized by elevated levels of certain hormones.

She received her official diagnosis last February, describing it as a "long time coming" after enduring years of symptoms and medical testing. When doctors informed her that the condition could impact her fertility, she felt as though "my whole world had come to an end." "One of the things that I've always wanted in life was to become a mum," Lewis explained. "When you have an idea of your life and how it's going to pan out from a little girl, to then be told 'actually, the one thing that you want most is most likely not going to happen'. It's absolutely devastating."

Despite the initial shock, Lewis, who later launched her own wellness business inspired by her personal struggles, eventually conceived. Her son is now three months old. In a significant development earlier this month, the medical community officially renamed the condition from PCOS to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). The International PCOS Network stated that this change aims to enhance understanding and facilitate better treatment and diagnosis.

For Lewis, who had been visiting doctors since she was around 18, the new name offers hope that more women will be diagnosed swiftly. However, she remains skeptical about whether the change will drive broader systemic shifts. "I just think that we get told that you have PCOS and you get left to it," said the 31-year-old from Birmingham.

According to the NHS, this common disorder affects up to one in 10 women in the UK, presenting with symptoms such as weight gain, irregular periods, and excess hair growth. Kate Morris, representing the charity Verity PCOS, expressed hope that the rebranding would encourage more referrals to specialists who understand the condition’s endocrine and metabolic components. "It will give patients the leverage to say... 'it's in the name, what's happening to me is metabolic and endocrinological'," she noted.

The hormonal disorder, which currently has no cure beyond symptom management, involves higher levels of androgen hormones—often called "male-type hormones"—according to the PCOS Awareness Association. This imbalance can lead to fertility issues. The NHS also highlights that PCOS/PMOS is linked to high insulin levels and a heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Shireen Forster, a 33-year-old from London, was diagnosed at age 18. After facing distressing symptoms like excessive hair growth on her face, chest, and back, she founded LaserMeOut, a clinic in Birmingham. She observed that many clients suffered from low self-esteem due to these symptoms. "It completely took away their confidence," she said.

Forster, who welcomed the name change, believes it more accurately portrays the condition as a whole-body issue rather than one confined to the ovaries. "This is not just cysts in women's ovaries," she explained. "This is your metabolic - the way your body produces energy. This is your endocrine system... your hormonal system. It's all these things linked."

Having given birth to her first child last year, Forster feels "proud" of the rebranding, noting that it may help shift public perception. However, she emphasized the urgent need for greater peer support. "There needs to be more of a community," she added. "All they want to do is meet up with other women who are going through this and just sit down and [and] have a talk."

Verity PCOS, which operates several volunteer-led support groups in areas including Coventry, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, and Worcestershire, has been campaigning for...

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-31 06:13:43 UTC