PMOS Association

For many of us, the term PCOS has been part of our lives for years—sometimes decades. It is the term under which we found answers, found community, and finally felt seen. It is understandable that changing that language can feel uncomfortable or even unnecessary.

At the PMOS Association, we want to acknowledge that change is hard, as we ourselves evolve from PCOSupport.

At the same time, medicine evolves. As scientific understanding grows, the words we use sometimes need to grow too. The move toward PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome) reflects an effort to better describe what so many people have long experienced: that this condition is not defined by ovarian cysts alone, and for many people, its effects reach far beyond the ovaries. Hormonal, metabolic, inflammatory, and whole-body impacts have always been part of the picture.

Choosing to embrace updated language does not erase anyone’s diagnosis, history, advocacy, or identity. If you were diagnosed with PCOS, your experience remains valid. The community built under that name remains important.

Our hope is simply this: that language that more fully reflects our current understanding can lead to greater awareness, earlier recognition, better research, more inclusive care, and ultimately better outcomes.

We invite curiosity. We welcome questions. We honour the past while making space for the future.

Whatever words you use today—you belong here.

Is it alphabet soup? Or an acronym?

Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) is the new name for the condition previously known as Polycystic O***y Syndrome (PCOS) — a change that accurately reflects the condition, which affects 1 in 8 women, or more than 170 million worldwide.

The changes follows 14 years of research and advocacy and the largest global engagement ever for a medical name change, with more than 22,000 survey responses, workshops with women who have lived experience, health professionals, and the involvement of 56 patient organizations and professional societies around the world, including the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association, Inc.

The term PCOS focused on “cysts” and ovaries, even though many women don’t have cysts. PMOS is a long-term endocrine/ hormonal and metabolic condition, and the misunderstanding has contributed to delayed diagnosis, poor quality of care and lack of research and funding.

Women living with the condition led the call for change — and their voices matter ❤️ 86% of patients and 76% of health professionals support the name change.

The change to PMOS will improve understanding, awareness, earlier diagnosis, better care and more research.

We recognise that this change will take time and there is a 3 year transition period where both names will co-exist together - the work doesn’t stop here! Resources in multiple languages available: https://bit.ly/3V85nPJ Read the paper: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00717-8/fulltext

PCOS Resources - MCHRI Access a range of resources that are available for women with PCOS.

Our Founder is at it again!

The first meeting of the Androgen Excess Society was 23 years ago. I was there. And now it’s called the Androgen Excess & PCOS Society. And here I am. 23 years of scientists from around the world talking about PCOS research. Stay tuned for insights from the meeting.

If you are TTC (trying to conceive) with PCOS, or even if you are not yet at that point in your life but just want to understand it, Join Christine Updegraff this coming Sunday at 12 noon Eastern Time (USA) for this FREE webinar to learn more about the impact of PCOS on fertility, and practical steps you can take to optimize your body for conception. Sign up here!

PCOS Foundations for Fertility FREE webinar - Build your knowledge for success in building your family with PCOS as a factor.