September marks a shift in how a common women’s health condition is described. The month formerly known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month now emphasizes the new term polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). The change is intended to bring metabolic health to the forefront of diagnosis and treatment.
Why the name change matters
Dr. Christine Greves, an OB‑GYN at the Orlando Health Women’s Institute, told WESH 2 that the previous name focused heavily on ovarian morphology and often led patients and providers to overlook the metabolic component of the disorder. “When we talk about PCOS, many think only about irregular periods or ovarian cysts,” she said. “PMOS reminds us that insulin resistance, weight management, and cardiovascular risk are central to the condition.”
Dr. Hany Takla, a bariatric surgeon at the Orlando Health Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery Institute, added that the metabolic angle aligns with the growing body of research linking the syndrome to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. “Patients with PMOS benefit from a multidisciplinary approach that includes endocrinology, nutrition, and, when appropriate, bariatric surgery,” Dr. Takla explained.
Diagnostic challenges and a unified approach
Both physicians noted that PMOS can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms vary widely—from hirsutism and acne to infertility and metabolic disturbances. The new terminology aims to unify specialists across obstetrics, endocrinology, and bariatric surgery, encouraging a coordinated care plan.
“A woman might see her primary care doctor for weight gain, but the underlying endocrine issue could be missed if we keep the focus solely on the ovaries,” Dr. Greves said. “By naming the metabolic component explicitly, we hope to catch the condition earlier and intervene before serious complications develop.”
Impact on treatment and patient education
The rebranding also influences treatment strategies. Lifestyle interventions—diet, exercise, and weight management—remain first‑line, but clinicians are now more likely to consider insulin‑sensitizing medications and, in select cases, metabolic surgery as part of a comprehensive plan.
Patient education materials are being updated to reflect the new name, and local support groups are preparing outreach campaigns to spread awareness throughout Central Florida.
Community response
Local women’s health advocates have welcomed the change, noting that it validates the lived experiences of many patients who have struggled with the metabolic side effects of the syndrome. “For years we felt the conversation stopped at the ovaries,” said Maria Lopez, founder of a regional PCOS support network. “PMOS acknowledges the whole person and gives us a clearer path to better health.”
While the name change is still gaining traction in medical literature, Orlando Health plans to lead the way by incorporating PMOS terminology in all patient records, research studies, and public health messaging.
Looking ahead
National medical societies are reviewing the proposal, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is expected to issue guidance later this year. In the meantime, Orlando’s clinicians are already applying the PMOS framework in their practices, hoping to improve outcomes for the thousands of women affected by the syndrome each year.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
