Global Health Experts Welcome PCOS Rebranding To PMOS Say It Reflects Women’s Real Health Challenges
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
A landmark decision to rename Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) has been welcomed by gender justice and health advocates worldwide as a significant step towards improving understanding and treatment of a condition affecting millions of women.
The announcement, made in May 2026 through a collaboration between the International PCOS Network and The Lancet, was highlighted during a global SHE & Rights forum commemorating the International Day of Action for Women’s Health and Menstrual Hygiene.
Advocates argued that the previous name, PCOS, focused narrowly on ovarian cysts and failed to reflect the broader hormonal and metabolic nature of the condition.
Coordinator of the SHE & Rights campaign, Shobha Shukla, explained that PMOS better captures the reality of a complex disorder that affects approximately one in eight women globally and is linked to insulin resistance, irregular bleeding, fertility challenges and mental health concerns.
Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights Programme Officer, Joie Cortina, described the change as a victory for women’s health advocacy and evidence-based medicine.
According to her, women’s lived experiences have historically been overlooked in scientific research and healthcare systems, leading to inadequate understanding of conditions that disproportionately affect women.
She said the transition from PCOS to PMOS reflects a more holistic understanding of the syndrome and acknowledges the full spectrum of challenges experienced by affected individuals.
Health advocates believe the new terminology will improve diagnosis, strengthen awareness campaigns and encourage more comprehensive treatment approaches that address both reproductive and metabolic health.
The development is also being viewed as part of a broader movement to centre women’s voices in healthcare policy, research and clinical practice while challenging long-standing misconceptions about female reproductive health conditions.
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