PCOS Renamed to Better Reflect the Condition
12 May 2026
Health experts say the new name better explains the condition as a complex hormonal and metabolic disorder, rather than focusing mainly on ovarian cysts.
The change was formally announced in Prague and published in The Lancet.
PMOS affects around one in eight women worldwide and is often difficult to diagnose, with some women waiting years before receiving answers.
Experts say the old name caused confusion because many women with the condition do not actually have ovarian cysts. This sometimes led to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
The push for the new name was led by Monash University Professor Helena Teede together with international researchers, healthcare groups, and people with lived experience.
Associate Professor Magda Simonis, a GP with a focus on women’s health, said the name change will help doctors diagnose the condition with greater confidence.
She said GPs can now focus more on a woman’s full range of symptoms instead of mainly looking for cysts during diagnosis.
Symptoms may include irregular periods, acne, difficulty losing weight, and other hormonal or metabolic concerns depending on a person’s stage of life.
Experts also say the updated understanding of PMOS may help doctors identify women at higher risk of future conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease earlier.
A global education and awareness campaign for health professionals and the community will roll out over the next three years, with the new PMOS name expected to be fully included in international guidelines by 2028.
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Source: newsGP / The Lancet