16/05/2026
On May 12, 2026, The Lancet, a world-leading general medical journal, renamed Polycystic O***y Syndrome (PCOS) to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS).
The decision to change its name comes after 14 years of expert research on the role of metabolism, with the redefinition meant to reflect PMOS as a whole-body disorder related to hormones and metabolism.
In fact, many women who are diagnosed with PCOS do not develop ovarian cysts, even though it is in the name of the disorder, making this change a vital correction; and potentially a gateway to empathy and greater understanding through emphasizing the diverse endocrine and metabolic features of the disorder.
Millions of women have faced dismissal because of the lack of inclusion in the term “PCOS”, which has led to harmful consequences for the women who do not develop ovarian cysts. This also opens doors for more research funding, and medical accuracy; legitimizing the pain of women who have been struggling with this disorder under a barely accurate name.
“They were actually not true cysts at all,” says Dr. Teede, the leading researcher of this medical renaming. An accurate way to describe it is the broader disruption of endocrines. The mention of endocrines has made it informative for everyone.
A new normal is established after being advocated for a long time by experts and patients. Teede further says that diagnosis for 60% of women would no longer need o***y assessment, as an irregular menstrual cycle and excessive male hormones will be sufficient for diagnosis. Internal ultrasound is also not necessary for the rest 30-40%, as a simple blood test would provide the necessary information.
The new name is expected to be fully integrated into international clinical guidelines, medical education, and diagnostic coding by 2028.
Written by: Zaheera Khandkar
Edited by: Sabaa Ali Hafiz
Graphics by: Fahrin Hoque