Trending Now - Global Initiative Renames PCOS, Offering Hope to Women Worldwide

WHO:

The Guardian - Prof Helena Teede, director of Melbourne’s Monash Centre for Health Research & Implementation

The Guardian - Maddy Mavrikis, a patient diagnosed with PCOS

The Guardian - Lorna Berry, a global consumer representative advocating for better education about PCOS

CU Anschutz newsroom - Melanie Cree, MD, PhD, a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of Colorado Anschutz

WHAT:

The Guardian - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been renamed to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).

The Guardian - The name change was announced at the European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague.

CU Anschutz newsroom - The new name PMOS reflects the condition's complexity and is expected to improve diagnosis, treatment, and research.

The Guardian - The condition affects approximately 170 million women worldwide.

CU Anschutz newsroom - The renaming aims to address misconceptions and stigma associated with the previous name.

WHERE:

The Guardian - The announcement took place in Prague at the European Congress of Endocrinology.

CU Anschutz newsroom - The University of Colorado Anschutz is involved in the renaming effort.

WHEN:

The Guardian - The name change was published in The Lancet after 14 years of collaboration.

CU Anschutz newsroom - The new terminology is expected to be adopted consistently worldwide.

WHY:

The Guardian - The term "polycystic" has contributed to delayed diagnosis and inadequate medical care.

CU Anschutz newsroom - The renaming recognizes the full reality of what patients experience and aims to reduce stigma.

HOW:

The Guardian - The renaming process involved collaboration between 56 medical and patient societies across six continents.

CU Anschutz newsroom - The new name was established through a global consensus study published in The Lancet.

(UPDATED May 12, 2026 17:42 UTC)

Polycystic ovary syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, has officially been renamed to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS, a change announced at the European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague. This new terminology, developed through collaboration among 56 medical and patient societies worldwide, aims to reflect the complexity of the condition and improve diagnosis, treatment, and research for the approximately 170 million women affected globally. The renaming process, which took 14 years and was published in The Lancet, seeks to address misconceptions and stigma associated with the previous name, ultimately recognizing the full reality of what patients experience.