PCOS gets a new name: What to know about the most common hormonal issue affecting women
ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos • • general
Key Points:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) will be renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) to better reflect the condition's hormonal, metabolic, and ovarian impacts, according to a global consensus published in The Lancet.
- The name change aims to improve diagnosis, reduce stigma, and more accurately represent the multi-system nature of the condition, which affects up to 12% of American women of reproductive age and often remains undiagnosed.
- PMOS involves hormone imbalances, metabolic disturbances like insulin resistance, and increased risks of diabetes and heart disease, with symptoms including irregular periods, excess androgen levels, and ovarian cysts.
- Diagnosis relies on a combination of symptoms and tests, as there is no single diagnostic method or cure; treatment typically involves managing symptoms through medication and lifestyle changes.
- The condition affects millions globally, with research showing similar prevalence across racial groups, though Black and Hispanic women often experience more severe complications and delayed diagnosis.