PCOS is now PMOS: What This Discovery Reveals About Women's Health
On May 12th The Lancet published an article announcing polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) as the new name for the condition formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This decision comes after years of global research conducted by academic, clinical, and patient organizations to accurately reflect the nature of this disorder. The former name (PCOS) defines the condition as small sacs of fluid, or cysts, that grow along the outer edge of the ovary affecting processes such as hormone levels and menstrual cycles. While some do experience ovarian cysts, the previous definition is misleading because mounting research has shown that the disorder is underpinned by endocrine disturbances in insulin, androgens, neuroendocrine, and ovarian hormones.
This further explains why a combination of metabolic (ex. obesity, type II diabetes), reproductive (ex. irregular menstrual cycles, infertility), psychological (ex. depression, anxiety), and dermatological (ex. acne, hirsutism) symptoms can be found in those living with the disorder. This change is important because it signifies the multisystem nature of the condition which can lead to improvements in quality of care, education, and advocacy.
As positive as this news is, it reveals a darker conversation about women’s health and how neglected it is within our society. PMOS affects one in eight women but despite how prevalent it is, many struggle to get providers to recognize their symptoms and provide them with adequate treatment. Recently, actress Keke Palmer opened up about her health journey during a panel at the 3rd annual Women’s Health Lab. Unlike the previous definition of the condition, her PMOS manifested itself through severe acne which she believes might’ve been triggered by insulin resistance.
“This situation is one of the main reasons the medical community updated the name to include both the endocrine and metabolic systems, rather than focusing solely on ovarian cysts: people were experiencing all the other signs and symptoms of PMOS and still not receiving a diagnosis.” Palmer stated. Luckily she was able to schedule multiple blood tests through an endocrinologist, revealing high levels of testosterone and androgen. Since then her symptoms have improved through medication to control her acne as well as lifestyle changes surrounding her menstrual cycle, diet, and exercise.
Endocrinologist Dr. Rekha Kumar at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center believes the new name as well as treating PMOS as a metabolic condition first can improve outcomes. In her practice this involves “Lifestyle medicine, nutritional strategies, and, when appropriate, medication to control blood sugar levels and increasingly GLP-1 receptor agonists, which have shown real promise in improving both the metabolic picture and optimizing fertility.” She also recommends patients advocating for themselves during their appointments stating “A proper evaluation includes a detailed menstrual history, assessment for clinical signs of androgen excess, serum androgens, fasting insulin and glucose, a lipid panel, and an ultrasound in combination with your whole health picture.”