Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal condition that affects 1 in 8 women worldwide, has been given a new name. It is now called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). The name change comes after 14 years of collaboration between experts and patients, and was published in The Lancet on Tuesday.So what has led to the change in the name?According to researchers and supporters of the name change, the old one — PCOS — was inaccurate. The name PCOS reduced the complex hormonal or endocrine disorder to a misunderstanding about cysts. The focus on ovaries often contributed to missed diagnoses and inadequate treatment, the Endocrine Society, a global group of physicians and scientists, said in a statement.“The thought behind that is that, one, there are no cysts in the ovary, so it’s very confusing. The hope was that, with a more comprehensive and accurate name change, it would start to enable and push better care,” Dr Melanie Cree, one of the authors of the Lancet article and a paediatric endocrinology expert at the University of Colorado Anschutz, said.
What is PMOS?
Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome is a condition characterised by fluctuations in hormones. These changes can affect weight, metabolic and mental health, the reproductive system, and the skin.PMOS is linked with metabolic syndrome, a group of health conditions that increases your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, Dr Sarah Hutto of the University of Minnesota Medical School said in an online article.The exact cause of the condition is unknown; however, there is evidence that genetics and obesity play a role, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Symptoms of PMOS
The symptoms of PMOS vary, which is why it is difficult to diagnose.Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Irregular menstrual cycle: missing periods, or not having a period at all. Some may also experience heavy bleeding during periods.
- Abnormal hair growth: excess facial hair or heavy hair growth on the arms, chest, and abdomen (hirsutism). About 70% of people with the condition have this.
- Acne: due to the excess production of a group of hormones known as androgens.
- Obesity: about 40% to 80% of people with the condition have obesity. Most of them have trouble maintaining a healthy weight.
PMOS also causes follicles on the ovaries, although not abnormal cysts.According to Cree, the diagnosis in teens can be made by checking if they have both irregular periods and signs of high androgens. This also includes high blood levels of the hormones or symptoms such as severe acne or chest hair.PMOS and infertilityPMOS is the most common cause of female infertility, according to Cleveland Clinic experts. This is because infrequent ovulation can make conception difficult. This condition also increases the risk of certain pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes or preterm birth. Still, most people with this condition can successfully carry a pregnancy.
How PMOS can be treated
The No. 1 treatment for PMOS is lifestyle changes, Cree says. This includes cutting processed foods, getting adequate exercise, and a good night’s sleep.“We’re not trying to be judgmental. There is science to back this up. So in PMOS, there is too much of the hormone insulin in many women, and that insulin confuses the ovary into making too much testosterone. And it’s the high testosterone that is causing all the symptoms,” she said.Other treatment options include insulin-sensitising medicines such as metformin, medications that block androgens, and hormonal birth control.
