PCOS Has Been Renamed PMOS: What Every Woman to Know (and Why It Matters)New Blog Post

PCOS Has Been Renamed PMOS: What Every Woman Needs to Know (and Why It Matters)

By Marie Mulcahy BSc (Hons) Western Herbal Medicine | NIMH Registered Medical Herbalist

For years, I've sat across from women who have quietly wondered whether the problem was somehow them.

They've been told to lose weight.

To "just go on the Pill."

To come back when they're ready to have a baby.

Some have even started questioning whether the exhaustion, the acne, the irregular periods or the anxiety were simply something they had to live with.

So when I heard that PCOS had officially been renamed PMOS, my first thought wasn't simply, "That's interesting."

It was...

Finally.

Not because changing a name magically changes a condition.

But because names matter.

They shape how conditions are understood, how they're explained to patients and, ultimately, how they're treated.

For decades, the name Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has led many women to believe that ovarian cysts were the defining feature of the condition. Yet countless women diagnosed with PCOS have never had ovarian cysts at all. Equally, many women have polycystic-looking ovaries without actually having the syndrome.

It's confusing.

And unfortunately, that confusion hasn't just affected patients. It has influenced how the condition has been recognised, diagnosed and discussed for years.

The new name—Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)—reflects what practitioners and researchers have increasingly come to understand: this is far more than an ovarian condition. It's a complex hormonal and metabolic disorder that affects multiple systems throughout the body.

As someone who has spent nearly a decade supporting women with hormonal health concerns, that feels like a significant step in the right direction.

Because for many women, PMOS has never been just about their periods.

It's about their energy.

Their confidence.

Their skin.

Their fertility.

Their metabolism.

Their mental wellbeing.

Their relationship with food.

Their ability to recognise themselves in the mirror.

That's why this change matters.

Why Has PCOS Been Renamed PMOS?

In May 2026, an international consensus led by experts from Monash University, the Endocrine Society and published in The Lancet recommended changing the name from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS).

This wasn't a cosmetic rebrand.

It was the result of years of research and collaboration involving clinicians, scientists and, importantly, women living with the condition.

One of the biggest problems with the term polycystic ovary syndrome is that it's misleading.

Despite the name:

many women with the condition don't have ovarian cysts

ovarian cysts aren't required for diagnosis

the ovaries are only one part of a much bigger hormonal picture

The word polycystic has inadvertently caused decades of misunderstanding—not only among patients but sometimes within healthcare too.

Research suggests that up to 70% of women living with PMOS remain undiagnosed, with confusion around the name contributing to delays in diagnosis and treatment.

When I read that statistic, I wasn't shocked.

Because it's something I've witnessed time and time again in clinic.

Women often arrive feeling frustrated because they've spent years trying to piece together symptoms that never seemed connected.

Perhaps they've struggled with irregular periods since their teens.

Maybe they've developed persistent acne in adulthood.

Perhaps they've been told their blood tests are "normal," despite feeling anything but.

Or maybe they've spent years believing they simply lacked willpower, only to later discover insulin resistance was playing a significant role in what they were experiencing.

These aren't isolated symptoms.

They're often different pieces of the same puzzle.

And that's exactly what the new name begins to acknowledge.

Rather than focusing solely on the ovaries, PMOS recognises that this condition involves multiple hormone-producing systems throughout the body—including metabolism, insulin regulation and reproductive hormones.

In many ways, medicine is beginning to catch up with what many women have felt all along:

This has never been just about the ovaries.

Why This Changes More Than Just the Name

One question I've already been asked is:

"So... does this actually change anything?"

The answer is both yes and not yet.

The symptoms haven't suddenly changed.

The diagnostic criteria remain the same for now.

And if you've previously been diagnosed with PCOS, that diagnosis still applies.

But I do believe the new name has the potential to change something incredibly important.

The conversation.

When we describe a condition more accurately, we naturally start asking better questions.

Instead of focusing solely on whether someone is ovulating, we begin thinking about insulin resistance, inflammation, cardiovascular health, mental wellbeing and the many interconnected systems that influence hormonal health.

That's something herbal medicine has long embraced.

One of the reasons I love practising herbal medicine is that we're rarely looking at one isolated symptom in isolation.

We're asking:

What's driving this?

Which systems are under pressure?

How are they influencing one another?

And how can we support the body as a whole?

Because hormones don't exist in separate compartments.

They communicate constantly.

When one system is struggling, the ripple effects can often be felt throughout the body.

That's why two women with PMOS can share the same diagnosis while experiencing completely different symptoms.

And it's exactly why I believe treatment should always be individualised.

What Does PMOS Actually Mean for Your Body?

One of the biggest misconceptions about PMOS is that it's simply a condition affecting the ovaries.

It isn't.

In fact, one of the reasons I welcome the name change is because it encourages us to think much more broadly about what's happening beneath the surface.

When I'm talking to women in clinic, I often describe hormones as an orchestra.

Each hormone has its own role to play, but they don't perform in isolation. They constantly communicate with one another. If one section is out of time, the rest of the orchestra has to compensate.

That's why PMOS can look so different from one woman to the next.

One woman may be struggling with irregular periods.

Another may have regular cycles but persistent acne and unwanted hair growth.

Someone else may feel exhausted all the time, gain weight despite eating well, or experience anxiety that seems to have appeared from nowhere.

On the surface, those symptoms might seem unrelated.

But very often, they're connected by the same underlying hormonal picture.

That's one of the reasons PMOS can feel so confusing.

It's rarely "just one thing."

Common Symptoms of PMOS

Although every woman's experience is different, PMOS can affect many different aspects of health.

You might notice:

irregular, infrequent or absent periods

acne, particularly around the jawline or chin

increased facial or body hair (hirsutism)

thinning hair on the scalp

weight gain, particularly around the abdomen

fatigue that doesn't improve with rest

brain fog or difficulty concentrating

anxiety or low mood

difficulty conceiving

bloating or digestive discomfort.

Some women experience only a handful of these symptoms.

Others feel like they're ticking almost every box.

Neither experience makes your symptoms more or less valid.

One thing I often remind women is this:

You don't need to have every symptom for your experience to matter.

Why Symptoms Can Look So Different

This is something that often surprises people.

There isn't one single "PMOS hormone."

Instead, several hormones and body systems are interacting at the same time.

Depending on the individual, that might include:

insulin

testosterone and other androgens

oestrogen

progesterone

luteinising hormone (LH)

follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

stress hormones such as cortisol.

Rather than acting independently, these hormones influence one another in a continuous feedback loop.

For example, insulin resistance—a feature seen in many women with PMOS—doesn't simply affect blood sugar.

Higher insulin levels can stimulate the ovaries to produce more testosterone.

Higher testosterone can interfere with regular ovulation.

Irregular ovulation affects progesterone production.

And suddenly what began as a metabolic issue is also affecting your menstrual cycle, your skin, your fertility and your mood.

This is why I believe it's so important not to look at symptoms in isolation.

The body never does.

So... How Is PMOS Diagnosed?

One question I hear surprisingly often is:

"Do I need to have cysts on my ovaries to have PMOS?"

The answer is no.

In fact, that's one of the biggest reasons the condition has been renamed.

PMOS is still diagnosed using what's known as the Rotterdam Criteria.

To receive a diagnosis, you need to meet two of the following three criteria:

irregular or absent ovulation, often reflected by irregular or absent periods

signs of higher androgen levels, either through symptoms such as acne or excess hair growth, or confirmed on blood tests

polycystic ovarian morphology on ultrasound (or AMH testing where appropriate).

It's also important that other conditions which can cause similar symptoms—such as thyroid disorders or raised prolactin—are excluded first.

A Conversation I Have Almost Every Week

This is one of those moments where clinical practice and research meet.

I regularly meet women who've been told:

"Your scan was normal, so you don't have PCOS."

Or:

"Your blood tests look fine."

Or even:

"Let's just wait and see."

Yet when we sit down together and look at the bigger picture—their menstrual history, skin, energy, symptoms and previous investigations—it becomes clear that not every piece of the puzzle has been considered.

If that's been your experience, please know this:

It doesn't necessarily mean your symptoms have been imagined.

Nor does it mean you should simply put up with them.

If you suspect PMOS and feel your concerns haven't been fully explored, it's worth having another conversation with your GP.

Ask specifically about the Rotterdam Criteria and whether you've been assessed against all three diagnostic features, rather than just one.

Sometimes it's not about finding a new diagnosis.

It's about making sure the right questions have been asked.

Why This Matters for Treatment

This brings us to something I feel particularly passionate about.

If we think of PMOS as simply an ovarian condition, treatment naturally focuses on the ovaries.

But if we understand it as a condition involving hormones, metabolism, inflammation and the nervous system, the conversation becomes much broader.

That's where herbal medicine can offer something truly valuable.

Not because it replaces conventional medicine.

And not because there's one herb that "fixes" PMOS.

But because herbal medicine allows us to ask a different question.

Instead of:

"Which symptom are we treating?"

We begin asking:

"Which systems need support?"

For one woman, that might mean improving insulin sensitivity.

For another, calming an overactive stress response.

For someone else, supporting ovulation, reducing inflammation or improving digestive health.

No two treatment plans in my clinic look exactly the same.

Because no two women arrive with exactly the same story.

And that's exactly as it should be.

What Does Conventional Treatment Look Like?

If you've been diagnosed with PMOS, it's likely your GP or specialist has discussed one or more conventional treatment options with you.

Depending on your symptoms and your goals, treatment may include:

the combined oral contraceptive pill to regulate bleeding and manage androgen-related symptoms

metformin to improve insulin sensitivity

anti-androgen medication to help with acne or unwanted hair growth

fertility medication if you're trying to conceive.

These treatments can be incredibly valuable, and I often work alongside women who are using them.

One of the things that's important to understand is that healthcare doesn't have to be an either/or conversation.

Many women benefit from combining conventional medical care with evidence-based herbal medicine and nutrition.

Rather than replacing medical treatment, my role is to look at how we can support the body more broadly—helping address some of the underlying drivers that may be contributing to symptoms while always working safely alongside your wider healthcare team.

Every woman is different.

And every treatment plan should reflect that.

How I Approach PMOS as a Medical Herbalist

One of the first things I tell new patients is this:

I don't treat diagnoses.

I treat people.

Two women can both have PMOS and yet have completely different experiences.

One may struggle primarily with insulin resistance and weight changes.

Another may have regular periods but severe acne.

Someone else may feel exhausted, anxious and disconnected from their body.

The diagnosis might be the same.

The treatment shouldn't necessarily be.

That's why my consultations are rarely just about hormones.

I'm also thinking about:

insulin sensitivity

inflammation

digestive health and the gut microbiome

liver function and hormone metabolism

nervous system regulation

sleep

stress resilience

nutrition

energy production.

Because none of these systems work in isolation.

The body is constantly adapting, communicating and compensating.

The more we understand those connections, the more personalised—and often more effective—our support can become.

Supporting Insulin Sensitivity: One of the Foundations of PMOS Care

If there's one area that deserves far more attention in conversations about PMOS, it's insulin.

Many women associate insulin purely with diabetes.

But insulin is also one of the hormones that can influence ovulation, androgen production and long-term metabolic health.

When insulin levels remain elevated, the ovaries may produce more testosterone.

Over time, that can contribute to irregular ovulation, acne, excess hair growth and many of the symptoms commonly associated with PMOS.

This is one of the reasons improving insulin sensitivity is often a key part of my clinical approach.

Not because every woman with PMOS has insulin resistance—but because for many women, it's one important piece of the puzzle.

Berberine: One of the Most Well-Researched Plant Compounds

When patients ask me about supplements they've seen online, berberine is one of the names that comes up most often.

And unlike many trending supplements, it has a growing body of research behind it.

A 2026 double-blind randomised controlled trial involving 180 women found that berberine produced improvements in blood sugar markers comparable to metformin, while causing fewer gastrointestinal side effects.

Other studies have also shown improvements in hormonal and metabolic markers when compared with other insulin-sensitising treatments.

That's encouraging.

But it's also where I'd offer a gentle word of caution.

Berberine isn't appropriate for everyone.

It can interact with medications and isn't something I'd recommend starting simply because you've seen it discussed on social media.

The right supplement is always the one that's appropriate for your health picture—not someone else's.

Myo-Inositol: Supporting Hormonal Communication

Another supplement with an impressive evidence base is myo-inositol.

Research suggests it may support ovulation, egg quality and communication between hormones involved in the menstrual cycle, particularly LH and FSH.

Unlike berberine, which appears to exert many of its effects through glucose metabolism, myo-inositol seems to work further "upstream" by supporting hormonal signalling.

That's one of the reasons they may sometimes be used together under professional guidance.

Again, though, this isn't about chasing the latest supplement trend.

It's about understanding why a particular intervention may—or may not—be appropriate for the individual sitting in front of me.

Inflammation: The Missing Piece Many Women Never Hear About

One thing I wish more women were told after receiving a diagnosis is that PMOS isn't simply a reproductive condition.

For many women, there's also an inflammatory component.

That matters because inflammation doesn't just affect one organ.

It influences energy, metabolism, cardiovascular health and the way different hormones communicate with one another.

Supporting healthy inflammatory pathways therefore becomes another important piece of the picture.

Depending on the individual, this may include herbs and nutrients such as:

omega-3 fatty acids

turmeric (Curcuma longa)

green tea (Camellia sinensis)

spearmint, particularly where androgen-related symptoms are present.

Rather than thinking about these as "natural alternatives," I prefer to think of them as tools that may help support the body's normal physiological processes when chosen appropriately.

The Gut-Hormone Conversation We're Only Beginning to Understand

This is one of the areas of research that genuinely excites me.

For years, herbal medicine has recognised the close relationship between digestive health and hormonal wellbeing.

Now the research is beginning to catch up.

A large meta-analysis published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology found consistent differences in the gut microbiome of women living with PMOS, with those changes closely linked to insulin resistance.

That doesn't mean poor gut health causes PMOS.

But it does suggest the gut may play a much more important role than we previously appreciated.

This is one of the reasons digestive health almost always forms part of my assessment.

Sometimes that involves supporting the microbiome through food.

Sometimes it's about improving digestion.

Sometimes it's reducing bloating or supporting bowel regularity.

Because when we're trying to understand hormone health, the gut is rarely irrelevant.

The Stress Response Matters Too

There are seasons in life when stress is unavoidable.

Caring for children.

Running a business.

Supporting ageing parents.

Working shifts.

Living through loss.

Our nervous systems were never designed to be under constant pressure.

For some women, chronic stress can become another layer in the hormonal picture, particularly where adrenal hormones contribute to androgen production.

This is where adaptogenic herbs—such as ashwagandha or rhodiola—may have a place within an individualised treatment plan.

Not because they "fix" stress.

But because supporting the body's resilience can sometimes make it easier to navigate periods of increased physical and emotional demand.

It's another reminder that hormone health is never just about hormones.

It's about the whole person.

Where Do You Go From Here?

If you've been reading this article and quietly thinking,

"This sounds like me..."

I want you to know something.

You don't have to have every symptom.

You don't have to be at breaking point.

And you certainly don't have to wait until you're trying for a baby before asking for support.

One of the saddest things I hear is:

"I wish someone had explained this years ago."

Because when women finally understand what's happening in their bodies, something shifts.

Not necessarily their hormones overnight.

But their relationship with themselves.

The self-blame begins to soften.

The confusion starts to make sense.

And suddenly there are options.

If you think PMOS may be part of your story, here are a few gentle next steps.

Speak with your GP

If you haven't already been assessed using the Rotterdam Criteria, it's worth asking whether you've been evaluated against all three diagnostic features rather than just one.

Depending on your symptoms, your GP may also recommend blood tests to assess:

testosterone

LH and FSH

fasting glucose

fasting insulin

thyroid function

prolactin

These investigations help build a clearer picture and rule out other conditions that can present in similar ways.

Start noticing patterns—not perfection

Before your appointment, it can be incredibly helpful to begin observing your body with curiosity.

You might like to note:

your menstrual cycle

energy levels

sleep

mood

digestion

skin changes

appetite

stress levels

These patterns often tell us far more than a single blood test ever could.

Be cautious with supplements

I completely understand the temptation.

A quick search online for PMOS brings up hundreds of supplements promising to "fix" hormones.

But PMOS isn't one-size-fits-all.

What works beautifully for one woman may be completely inappropriate for another.

This is why I rarely recommend buying multiple supplements before understanding what's driving your symptoms.

A personalised plan will almost always be more effective than a cupboard full of expensive bottles.

A Final Thought

If there's one thing I hope you take away from this article, it's this:

PMOS isn't simply an ovarian condition.

It never really was.

It's a condition involving the delicate conversation between hormones, metabolism, inflammation, the nervous system and so many other interconnected systems throughout the body.

Perhaps the new name doesn't change your symptoms overnight.

But I do hope it changes something equally important.

The conversation.

For too long, many women have left appointments feeling dismissed.

They've been told to lose weight.

Given a prescription without much explanation.

Or reassured that everything is "normal," despite knowing deep down that something doesn't feel right.

If that's been your experience, I'm truly sorry.

Because you deserve more than reassurance without understanding.

You deserve to feel listened to.

You deserve to have your symptoms taken seriously.

And you deserve a practitioner who's willing to step back, look at the whole picture and ask,

"What's your body trying to tell us?"

That's always where I begin.

Not with a protocol.

Not with a supplement.

With your story.

Because no blood test, ultrasound or diagnosis can ever tell me as much as the woman sitting in front of me.

Herbal medicine has always taken a whole-person approach.

Long before PMOS became the new name, it recognised that hormones don't exist in isolation.

Neither do the women living with them.

If you've spent years feeling unheard…

Please don't lose hope.

Your symptoms are real.

They matter.

And with the right support, there is absolutely reason to feel optimistic about what comes next.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Every woman I work with receives an individualised treatment plan based on her health history, symptoms, goals and current research.

If you're looking for evidence-based, compassionate support to better understand your hormones, I'd love to help.

Book a consultation here →

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is PMOS different from PCOS?

No.

PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome) is the new name for PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). The condition itself hasn't changed, but the name better reflects what researchers now understand—that it involves multiple hormonal and metabolic systems rather than simply the ovaries.

Why was PCOS renamed PMOS?

The previous name was considered misleading because many women with PCOS don't have ovarian cysts, while many women with polycystic ovaries don't have the syndrome.

The new name recognises the broader endocrine and metabolic nature of the condition and aims to improve understanding, diagnosis and patient care.

Do I need ovarian cysts to have PMOS?

No.

A diagnosis is based on the Rotterdam Criteria, and ovarian morphology is only one of three possible diagnostic features. You only need two of the three criteria for a diagnosis.

Can herbal medicine help PMOS?

Herbal medicine doesn't cure PMOS.

However, evidence suggests that certain herbs and nutritional interventions may support aspects of the condition such as insulin sensitivity, inflammation, menstrual regularity and stress resilience when used as part of an individualised treatment plan and alongside appropriate medical care.

Which herbs are most commonly used?

The answer depends entirely on the individual.

Research has explored compounds including berberine and myo-inositol, alongside herbs such as Vitex agnus-castus, turmeric, spearmint and green tea.

Rather than recommending the same herbs for everyone, I believe treatment should always be tailored to the person rather than the diagnosis.

Can PMOS affect fertility?

Yes.

Because PMOS can interfere with regular ovulation, it may make conception more difficult for some women.

However, many women with PMOS conceive naturally, while others benefit from lifestyle support, medical treatment or a combination of approaches depending on their circumstances.

Is insulin resistance always present?

No.

Although insulin resistance is common, not every woman with PMOS experiences it.

This is one of the reasons an individual assessment is so important before beginning treatment.

References

(I'd keep these exactly as you have them—they're excellent and very current.)

Teede HJ et al. (2026). Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. The Lancet.

Fitz V et al. (2024). Inositol for polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis to inform the international evidence-based PCOS guidelines. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Zhao H et al. (2021). Comparative efficacy of oral insulin sensitisers in women with PCOS. Reproductive Health.

Shukla A, Rasquin LI, Anastasopoulou C. (2026). Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome. StatPearls.

Natural Products in the Metabolic and Endocrine Modulation of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Current Perspectives. Nutrients (2026).

Gut microbiome and PCOS: meta-analysis of 34 studies. Nature Reviews Endocrinology (2026).

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2023). Polycystic ovary syndrome: identification and management (NG239).

Verity PCOS (2026). PMOS Media Information.

Diabetes Care (2026). Berberine versus metformin randomised controlled trial.