More women could now receive an earlier diagnosis following the renaming of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), with top doctors in Bahrain saying the shift moves the focus away from ovarian cysts and towards the wider hormonal and metabolic nature of the condition.
Affecting around 170 million women worldwide, PMOS is a common hormonal condition linked to irregular menstrual cycles, excess hair growth, acne, weight gain and fertility challenges.
The syndrome was officially renamed after a global coalition of patients, clinicians and medical organisations argued that the term PCOS was misleading, as it placed too much emphasis on ovarian cysts while overlooking its broader health impacts, including insulin resistance, weight gain, increased diabetes risk, cardiovascular complications and mental health challenges.
To be diagnosed, women must meet at least two of the three criteria: irregular periods, elevated androgen levels or polycystic ovaries.
Awali Hospital consultant endocrinologist and Department of Medicine head Prof Dalal Alromaihi said the name often led women and their clinicians to mistakenly associate it with ovarian cysts, which are not necessarily present in every patient.
“Research shows around 20 to 30 per cent of healthy women of reproductive age may have polycystic-looking ovaries on ultrasound without actually having the syndrome, while a similar percentage of women with PMOS may have completely normal ovarian scans,” she told the GDN.
“This means the name change was appropriate because it corrects a misconception that this condition is mainly about cysts on the ovaries.”
Prof Alromaihi said this misunderstanding has, at times, led to delayed diagnosis. “Some patients were falsely reassured when scans showed no cysts, while others were alarmed by the term itself,” she said.
“This is particularly concerning in teenagers, where symptoms are often dismissed as normal puberty changes.
“Many young girls experiencing acne, irregular cycles, weight gain, scalp hair thinning, or excess body hair often had their symptoms dismissed as part of normal puberty,” she explained. In reality, these can be strong warning signs of PMOS. Since hormone levels fluctuate naturally during adolescence, they are often brushed off as temporary changes rather than indicators of a longer-term condition.
“As a result, some young women were only diagnosed years later after fertility difficulties or complications developed,” Prof Alromaihi said, adding that the new name helps validate patients’ experiences, encourage earlier medical advice and improve public awareness.
That concern was echoed by consultant endocrinologist Dr Ebtihal Alyusuf, who said that many patients do not actually have ovarian cysts, and what are often described as cysts are in fact small follicles rather than true cysts.
“In addition, 70pc of those affected may still go undiagnosed, highlighting the urgent need for greater awareness and earlier recognition,” she said.
Dr Alyusuf stressed that early diagnosis can make a major difference, allowing patients to access lifestyle support sooner and be screened for complications such as insulin resistance, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol issues and mental health concerns.
“This does not mean every patient will develop diabetes or cardiovascular disease, but it gives us an opportunity to reduce risk and provide preventive care rather than waiting until complications appear.”
She also highlighted stigma as a major barrier, noting that many young women feel embarrassed discussing symptoms such as irregular periods, acne, excess facial or body hair, weight gain or fertility concerns.
“PMOS is not simply a cosmetic issue or a fertility issue. It is a medical condition that deserves early recognition, proper assessment and long-term multidisciplinary care.”
Dr Alyusuf added that the new name encourages doctors, patients and the wider public to look beyond the ovaries and focus on the whole person – including their endocrine, metabolic, reproductive and psychological health.
The move to rename the condition, led by several research groups and the Androgen Excess and PCOS Society, was based on more than 14,000 survey responses from patients and health professionals worldwide, as well as two international workshops and inputs from 56 academic, clinical and patient organisations.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), at least 20 to 30pc of women of reproductive age in the Gulf region are estimated to have PMOS. This is significantly higher than the global average of 10 to 13pc.
While there is no cure, symptoms can be managed through medication and changes in diet and exercise, according to the Endocrine Society.
Plans to transition to the new terminology over the next three years are already in motion, including integrating PMOS into health systems, clinical guidelines, professional training and disease classification, researchers have said.
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