What is PMOS (the new name for PCOS)?

Bottom linePMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome) is the 2026 renaming of PCOS, reflecting that it's a whole-body hormonal and metabolic condition rather than just an ovary problem and that the 'cysts' are actually normal follicles; it affects about 1 in 10 women and involves a mix of irregular ovulation, higher androgens, polycystic-appearing ovaries, and often insulin resistance, with diagnosis usually requiring 2 of those 3 main features.

PMOS stands for polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome - a 2026 renaming of what was long called PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). The condition is the same; the name was changed to better reflect what it actually is.

Why the name changed

In May 2026, an international consensus proposed renaming PCOS to PMOS. The old name was misleading on two counts:

• The "cysts" aren't true cysts - they're normal immature follicles, and you don't need them to have the condition
• It framed a whole-body hormonal and metabolic condition as just an ovary problem

PMOS reframes it as the multisystem endocrine and metabolic condition it is, which affects metabolism, hormones, fertility, skin, and more.

What it is

PMOS is a common hormonal condition (affecting roughly 1 in 10 women) involving some mix of:

• Irregular or absent ovulation (irregular periods)
• Higher androgens ("male" hormones), causing acne or excess hair
• Polycystic-appearing ovaries on ultrasound
• Often insulin resistance

Diagnosis usually requires 2 of those 3 main features.

Why it matters

PMOS affects fertility, metabolic health (diabetes risk), and wellbeing, and it's manageable with the right approach.

Read our PCOS to PMOS article and see what causes PCOS.

Femora helps track the irregular cycles that are central to spotting and managing PMOS.