It’s time to update your medical dictionary.
Last week, a global dream team of doctors and researchers dropped a bombshell in the women’s health space: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is officially being rebranded as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS).
Why the name change after all these years?
Because the old name was basically a lie.
For decades, the “C” in PCOS made everyone hyper-focus on ovarian cysts, totally overshadowing the full-body hormonal and metabolic chaos the condition actually causes.
This new relaunch is all about validating patient experiences and finally giving this whole-body disorder the medical attention it deserves.
The group behind the initiative stated in their report that, “The term polycystic ovary syndrome has long been recognized as inaccurate and potentially harmful.”
They continued. “The current name reflects only one organ and fails to capture the disorder’s multisystem nature.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this condition can bring a whole host of symptoms that go beyond what many might expect. For instance, irregular periods can be a significant sign, often leading to frustration for those trying to conceive. Women might also experience thinning hair, which can be a distressing change in appearance.
On a broader health scale, the illness is also linked to more severe issues like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Plus, the WHO has reported that an estimated 10% to 13% of reproductive age women around the world are impacted by it but, alarmingly, an estimated 70% don’t even know they have it.
Cysts Are Just the Tip of the Iceberg
Dr. Helena Teede, an endocrinologist and professor of Women’s Health at Monash University in Australia, told CNN that one reason for the name issue could be that it doesn’t clearly describe the actual condition. Teede is the main author of the report.
Dr. Alla Vash-Margita, an associate professor at Yale University and the head of pediatric adolescent gynecology at the Yale School of Medicine, also shared with CNN that there are many misunderstandings and negative beliefs about it. “People think they have large cysts, which they do not have,” she explained.
The syndrome was initially viewed as a reproductive problem. It was linked to slightly higher levels of male hormones, which can lead to irregular periods and difficulties with fertility.
And in the 1980s, researchers discovered that it was also related to insulin resistance.
“The body has to produce more insulin, and if the body can’t kind of keep up with the needs, then diabetes can develop,” Dr. Andrea Dunair professor of medicine in the division of endocrinology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, said in a recent interview.
CNN reported that research has shown that PMOS is a major metabolic disorder, which raises the chances of developing liver and heart diseases. Additionally, Dr. Vash-Margita mentioned that more recent findings have linked PMOS to other issues such as sleep apnea, depression, anxiety and body dysmorphia.
A Name That Stands on Business
Teede points out that the term “polyendocrine” in the new name more accurately reflects that it is a hormone-related condition. She noted that individuals with PMOS experience issues with their endocrine system, which is responsible for hormones; and this can have broad effects on their health.
Changing the name took 14 years and involved cooperation from 56 patient and professional groups around the world, as stated in the findings. The aim is that a new name will help bring the condition the attention it needs. Dunaif says that doctors in gynecology have been fairly good at recognizing its importance, but those who understand PMOS say it affects many parts of the body. They believe that all medical specialties should be more aware and work together to treat patients effectively.
“Women’s health is notoriously underfunded,” Dr. Christina Boots, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine, added. “Recognizing that it really spans not just reproductive issues, but mental health and metabolic health as well.”
When is it a good idea to discuss PMOS with your doctor?
Experts indicate that one important sign to watch for is having irregular menstrual cycles. If you have eight or fewer periods in a year, or if your cycles are longer than 40 days, it’s a good idea to see a doctor to check for hormonal issues. Your doctor can test your hormone levels to see if you have insulin resistance or high levels of androgens, which are hormones that can lead to problems like acne, hair loss from the scalp or increased body hair.
They also note that much of the current medical treatment focuses on managing symptoms instead of addressing the root cause.
The first recommendation is usually to make lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet and exercising more, according to Vash-Margita. She mentioned that losing weight has been linked to improvements in PMOS symptoms.
Additionally, doctors can prescribe medications for metabolic symptoms and GLP-1s have shown some effectiveness, although there haven’t been major studies on women with PMOS, according to Dunaif. Birth control pills specifically are often used to help regulate menstrual cycles and lower the hormones that can lead to excessive body hair, acne and hair loss, she added.
The Final Takeaway
When it comes to treating PMOS, the experts unanimously agree: successful treatment hinges on finding compassionate professionals who are willing to listen and collaborate so a comprehensive care plan is in place.
This means not only addressing immediate concerns but also offering solid referrals to specialists who can further contribute to the patient’s well-being.
So, while self-advocacy is important, having a supportive healthcare team that understands the complexities of PMOS can truly make all the difference in managing the condition effectively.
