What PCOS (PMOS) Is and Why It Was Renamed
PCOS involves a combination of higher-than-normal androgens (hormones such as testosterone), irregular ovulation, and, for many people, insulin resistance. These features feed each other: high insulin levels can push the ovaries to make more androgens, which in turn disrupts ovulation.
The old name suggested the ovaries are full of abnormal cysts, but that isn't accurate; the small "cysts" sometimes seen on ultrasound are actually immature follicles. Announced in The Lancet in May 2026, the new name aims to reduce missed diagnoses and highlight the condition's effects on metabolism, mental health, and reproduction, according to the Endocrine Society.
Common Signs and Symptoms of PCOS
Symptoms vary widely from person to person and can change over time. They may include:
- Irregular, infrequent, or absent periods
- Excess hair growth on the face, chest, or back (hirsutism)
- Persistent acne or scalp hair thinning
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Darkened, velvety skin in body folds (acanthosis nigricans), a sign of insulin resistance
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Anxiety or depression, which are more common in people with PCOS
Causes and Other Hormone Conditions to Rule Out
The exact cause of PCOS isn't known, but it tends to run in families, and insulin resistance plays a central role for many people. Weight can influence symptoms, but PCOS also occurs in people with a lean build.
Several other conditions can cause similar symptoms, so a careful evaluation checks for them before confirming PCOS. These include thyroid disorders, high prolactin levels from the pituitary gland, non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and, rarely, Cushing's syndrome or androgen-producing tumors.
How PCOS Is Diagnosed
Testing usually includes androgen levels, TSH, prolactin, and other hormones to exclude look-alike conditions, plus glucose and cholesterol tests to check metabolic health. In teens, diagnosis requires both irregular periods and signs of high androgens, because ultrasound isn't recommended for diagnosis within eight years of the first period.
In adults, PCOS is diagnosed when other causes have been excluded and at least two of these are present:
- Irregular periods or other signs of infrequent ovulation
- Signs of high androgens, such as hirsutism or acne, or elevated androgen levels on blood tests
- Polycystic ovarian features on ultrasound or, under the 2023 international guideline, an elevated anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level
PCOS Treatment Options
As the World Health Organization notes, there is no cure for PCOS, but treatment can relieve symptoms, support fertility, and lower long-term health risks. Your plan should match your priorities, which may change over time. Options include:
- Lifestyle support: balanced nutrition and regular activity; for people with excess weight, even modest weight loss can improve cycles and metabolic health, and weight-management medicines may be considered for some adults
- Combined hormonal birth control: regulates periods, reduces acne and hair growth, and protects the uterine lining
- Metformin: can improve insulin resistance and metabolic health, alone or with other treatments
- Anti-androgen medicines such as spironolactone for hair growth and acne, used with reliable contraception because they can affect a developing pregnancy
- Fertility treatment: letrozole is the first-line medicine to help trigger ovulation, often coordinated with a fertility specialist
- Hair and skin care: laser hair removal, topical treatments, and dermatology care
How an Endocrinologist at TopInspired.com Approaches PCOS
We start by confirming the diagnosis and excluding conditions that mimic PCOS. Then we look at the whole picture, including glucose tolerance, cholesterol, blood pressure, liver health, sleep, and mood, because these often matter as much as the symptoms that brought you in.
Together we set priorities, whether that's regular cycles, clearer skin, weight management, fertility planning, or long-term prevention, and adjust treatment at follow-up visits, many of which can be virtual. We coordinate with your gynecologist, fertility specialist, dermatologist, and primary care doctor. Book a hormone consultation to get a clear plan.
Long-Term Health With PCOS
PCOS significantly raises the risk of type 2 diabetes; according to the CDC, more than half of women with PCOS develop type 2 diabetes by age 40. It is also linked to gestational diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and endometrial hyperplasia or cancer when periods are very infrequent.
Regular screening helps catch problems early. Current guidelines recommend checking glucose every one to three years, often with an oral glucose tolerance test, along with blood pressure, cholesterol, and emotional well-being. Healthy routines built now can pay off for decades.
When to see a TopInspired endocrinologist
- Your periods are irregular, far apart, or have stopped for three months or more
- You have new or worsening facial or body hair, severe acne, or scalp hair thinning
- You're having trouble getting pregnant or are planning a pregnancy with PCOS
- You have signs of insulin resistance, prediabetes, or rapid weight gain
- Symptoms appeared suddenly or are worsening quickly, such as a deepening voice
- You were told you have PCOS but other hormone conditions were never ruled out
- Your current treatment causes side effects or isn't meeting your goals
PCOS & Hormonal Imbalance: frequently asked questions
Why was PCOS renamed PMOS?
Experts and patients agreed the old name was misleading because it focused on ovarian cysts, which are not the defining feature of the condition. The new name, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, announced in May 2026, highlights its hormonal and metabolic effects. Both names are being used during a transition period, and the name change itself does not change the care you receive.
Can I have PCOS without cysts on my ovaries?
Yes. Ovarian ultrasound findings are only one of three possible diagnostic features, and adults need just two to be diagnosed. Many people with PCOS have normal-looking ovaries. The small "cysts" sometimes seen on ultrasound are actually immature follicles rather than true cysts, which is one reason the condition was renamed.
Can PCOS be cured?
There is no cure, but symptoms and long-term risks can be managed effectively. Treatment can regulate periods, reduce acne and unwanted hair, support fertility, and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Because priorities change over time, from managing cycles to planning a pregnancy, your treatment plan should be reviewed periodically with your clinician.
Can I get pregnant if I have PCOS?
Many people with PCOS become pregnant, some naturally and others with treatment. Letrozole is the first-line medicine for helping trigger ovulation, and other fertility options are available through a specialist. Before trying to conceive, it helps to check glucose, blood pressure, and thyroid function, since PCOS increases the risk of gestational diabetes.
Does PCOS go away after menopause?
Irregular periods naturally end at menopause, but the metabolic side of PCOS, including insulin resistance and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease, can continue. Ongoing screening for glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol remains important after menopause, as do staying active and maintaining healthy habits.
Sources & further reading
- World Health Organization: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Fact Sheet
- Endocrine Society: Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS Name Change)
- CDC: Diabetes and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- NICHD: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- MedlinePlus: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Last reviewed September 19, 2026. This page is educational and is not a substitute for personal medical advice — see our medical disclaimer.
