PCOS is now PMOS: what the new name means (and what about PCOD?)

What changed, and what did not

Question	Before (PCOS)	Now (PMOS)
Full name	Polycystic Ovary Syndrome	Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome
What the name suggests	Cysts on the ovaries	Several hormone systems, metabolism and the ovaries
Is it a different condition?	No. It is the same condition with a more accurate name.
Do I need new tests?	No. An existing diagnosis still stands.
How long will both names be used?	The international group behind the change expects a transition of about three years, so you will see both names on reports and websites for a while.

Why the old name was misleading

For decades, the word "polycystic" made many women and many doctors think the condition was about cysts. That is not accurate. The small fluid-filled spaces seen on ultrasound are follicles (eggs that have not been released), not abnormal cysts. The research published alongside the name change reported no increase in abnormal ovarian cysts in this condition.

The old name also hid the parts of the condition that matter most for long-term health: insulin resistance, weight changes, higher androgen (male-type hormone) levels, acne, facial hair, scalp hair thinning, low mood and anxiety, and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Patient groups said the focus on "cysts" led to missed diagnoses and women being told to "come back when you want to get pregnant".

The new name was chosen through a long global process, including surveys with about 22,000 responses from patients, doctors and researchers, and more than 50 patient and professional organisations.

What PMOS actually involves

• Periods and ovulation: cycles that are often longer than 35 days, fewer than about eight periods a year, or periods that stop for months.
• Androgen signs: acne, excess hair on the chin, upper lip, chest or stomach, and thinning hair on the scalp.
• Metabolism: insulin resistance, difficulty losing weight, dark velvety skin on the neck or underarms (acanthosis nigricans), and a higher risk of prediabetes.
• Mental health: higher rates of anxiety, low mood and poor body image.
• Fertility: irregular ovulation can make it take longer to conceive. Many women with PMOS do conceive, naturally or with help.

Not everyone has all of these. Some women are lean with irregular periods, some have regular periods with high androgens, and the mix can change with age and weight.

Is PCOD the same as PMOS?

In India, "PCOD" (polycystic ovarian disease) is widely used, often interchangeably with PCOS. PCOD is not a separate diagnosis in international guidelines. When a doctor in India says PCOD, they usually mean the same condition, or sometimes only that the ovaries looked "polycystic" on ultrasound. If your report says PCOD, ask your doctor which criteria were used and whether your hormones and blood sugar were checked. Under the new naming, both terms should gradually give way to PMOS.

How it is diagnosed

The name change does not, by itself, change how the condition is diagnosed. For adults, doctors generally look for at least two of these three, after ruling out other causes such as thyroid problems or high prolactin:

1. Irregular or absent ovulation (usually seen as irregular periods)
2. Signs of high androgens, on examination or in blood tests
3. Polycystic ovarian morphology on ultrasound, or a raised AMH blood level in adults

Common tests include a pregnancy test, TSH, prolactin, testosterone, fasting glucose or HbA1c, a lipid profile, and a pelvic ultrasound. In teenagers, ultrasound is not used for diagnosis because many healthy teenage ovaries look "polycystic".

How common is it in India?

A large multicentre study of 8,993 Indian women aged 18–40 found a prevalence between 7.2% and 19.6%, depending on which diagnostic criteria were used, with higher rates in urban areas and in North and Central India. Globally, the condition affects roughly 1 in 8 women.

The Ayurvedic perspective

This section describes a traditional framework, not an established medical diagnosis.

Classical Ayurvedic texts do not describe PCOS or PMOS by name. Ayurvedic practitioners usually look at it through menstrual irregularity, digestion and metabolism (agni), and accumulation-type imbalances linked with heaviness, weight gain and sluggish cycles. In practice, an Ayurvedic plan focuses on regular meals and sleep, daily movement, stress, and formulations chosen for the individual. In our clinic we ask for the same blood tests listed above, because the metabolic side of PMOS needs to be measured, not guessed.

The new name fits well with how we already approach it in clinic: as a whole-body condition, not an ovary problem. You can read how our women's health programme works, or see what the current evidence says about Shatavari for PCOS.

What not to assume

• That the new name means a new or more serious disease. It does not.
• That "no cysts on ultrasound" means you cannot have PMOS.
• That PMOS only matters if you want to get pregnant. Blood sugar, heart health and mental health matter at every age.
• That any herb, supplement or diet can "cure" PMOS. It is a long-term condition that can be managed well.

When to see a doctor

• Your periods are usually more than 35 days apart, or you have fewer than eight a year
• You have not had a period for three months and are not pregnant
• You notice new facial or body hair, severe acne, or scalp hair thinning
• You have dark velvety patches on your neck or underarms, or rapid weight gain
• You have been trying to conceive for 12 months (6 months if you are over 35)

If you speak Hindi, you may also find our guide पीरियड्स न आने के कारण useful. To discuss your reports with a doctor, book a consultation.