The condition polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, is being renamed to improve diagnosis and treatment. Researchers announced this on Tuesday at the European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague. The condition affects 170 million women worldwide and is the leading cause of infertility.
Ine Holmstock
Journalist at HLN
Source: Reuters, The Guardian, New Scientist
The new name is polyendocrine metabolic ovary syndrome, or PMOS, and was chosen by a global coalition of patients, doctors and medical organizations. This designation would reflect the broad hormonal and metabolic impact of the condition.
The name polycystic ovarian syndrome often wrongly led women and doctors to associate it with cysts on the ovaries, which are not present in every patient, writes Doctor Terhi Piltonen of the University of Oulu in Finland in a report in ‘The Lancet’, a renowned international medical journal.
Old name made diagnoses difficult
According to the researchers, the focus on cysts caused delays in diagnoses and fragmented care. The new name should help to better recognize, treat and explain the condition. Women often do not have cysts in the ovaries, but an excess of so-called antral follicles: small fluid-filled sacs containing immature eggs.
PCOS is a hormonal condition that can affect women in different ways. About 1 in 10 women have PCOS. Its cause is not completely known. Symptoms include irregular or absent periods, infertility, complications during pregnancy, excessive hair growth, acne, anxiety and depression, weight gain, obesity, diabetes and other insulin disturbances, as well as cardiovascular disease.
The decision to rename the condition came after consultation between several research groups and the Androgen Excess and PCOS Society. It drew on more than 14,000 survey responses from patients and healthcare providers worldwide, as well as two international workshops and input from 56 academic, clinical and patient organizations.
Not curable
Although the condition cannot be cured, symptoms can be treated with medication and dietary and exercise adjustments, according to the Endocrine Society.
Researchers say the transition to the new terminology will happen gradually over the next three years. In addition, PMOS will be integrated into health systems, clinical guidelines, professional training and disease classifications.
