Bengaluru: A 22-year-old city woman experienced excessive facial hair, acne, weight gain, and irregular menstrual cycles. When she sought treatment from a dermatologist, she was advised to undergo an ultrasound scan, which showed normal ovaries. She was told she did not have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and was prescribed only local treatment. However, her irregular cycles and weight gain continued for nearly three more years until a gynaecologist assessed her clinical symptoms and diagnosed her with PCOS.Despite millions of women showing clinical symptoms of PCOS, many remain undiagnosed due to the absence of ovarian cysts. To address this, PCOS was recently renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). Gynaecologists in Bengaluru have welcomed the move, saying it will help bridge the diagnostic and treatment gap for lakhs of women.“The shift from PCOS to PMOS is not merely a change in terminology; it is a shift towards understanding women’s health better and treating it more holistically,” said Dr Priya SP Patil, consultant, obstetrician & gynaecologist, laparoscopic surgeon, infertility specialist, Altius Hospital, Rajajinagar.Doctors said the earlier diagnosis often focused only on visible symptoms, while the underlying metabolic condition remained untreated. Dr Varini N, senior consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Milann Fertility and Birthing Hospital, said, “The word ‘polycystic’ dominated the diagnosis because many women with normal ultrasounds were told they did not have the condition despite experiencing irregular periods, acne, weight gain, hair fall, or insulin resistance. These symptoms were often dismissed as lifestyle-related rather than signs of an endocrine disorder. Surprisingly, up to 50% of individuals with the condition do not show visible ovarian features.”She added, “The old name reduced a systemic metabolic disorder to a reproductive issue. This led to fragmented care focused only on managing periods or acne while ignoring insulin resistance, cardiovascular risks, obesity, fatty liver disease, and mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression.”Experts also emphasised that the renaming should encourage more comprehensive clinical assessment and diagnosis. “A PMOS diagnosis should never rely on a single investigation. It begins with a detailed clinical assessment, including menstrual history, symptoms of androgen excess such as acne or facial hair growth, weight patterns, and signs of insulin resistance,” said Dr Sushma Krishnegowda, obstetrician and gynaecologist, Apollo Hospitals.“Metabolic screening is equally important and includes fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin levels, lipid profile, liver function tests, and blood pressure assessment. Ultrasound remains relevant, but it cannot be used as the sole diagnostic tool,” Dr Sushma said.National estimates show PMOS affects 9-22% of women in their reproductive years. “From my clinical practice, I would say the prevalence of PMOS in Bengaluru is 10-15%, especially among women aged 20 to 40 years. Women can be diagnosed anytime after menarche, even during their teenage years. Early treatment is important because the first line of management involves weight reduction through a healthy diet and exercise,” said Dr Sreeja Rani VR, senior consultant, obstetrics, gynaecology and reproductive medicine, Kinder Women’s Hospital & Fertility Centre.Why Did PCOS Change To PMOS?The terminology was officially changed from PCOS to PMOS in 2026 after nearly 14 years of discussions involving global medical experts, researchers, and patient advocacy groups. The change was announced at the European Congress of Endocrinology and published in The Lancet. The new term was introduced to better reflect the condition’s hormonal, metabolic, and multisystem nature.
