PMOS term puts wider focus on hormone and metabolic risks linked to PCOS

Women diagnosed with PCOS are being encouraged to view the condition more broadly, as the term polycystic ovarian syndrome is now being replaced internationally by polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS. Dr Kimberly Somerville, a medical doctor and clinical nutritionist at Simple Summer Naturals, said the updated name better reflects the full range of issues involved.

Somerville said the disorder itself has not changed. A woman previously told she has PCOS is dealing with the same condition, but the new term is meant to make clear that the problem goes beyond the ovaries, fertility and menstrual cycles. She said it also involves the endocrine system and metabolic health, including insulin, testosterone, blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure. According to her, the name PCOS has been used for about 20 years, but it can leave patients thinking only about cysts and reproduction.

She said women should not wait until they are trying to get pregnant before seeking treatment. Those diagnosed in their teens or early 20s should already be checking blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, while also managing excess weight through lifestyle changes or medication when necessary. Somerville warned that some people in their 20s are already being diagnosed with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, which can affect quality of life.

Among the signs that should prompt a medical visit, she listed periods that go beyond 35 days, extra hair growth on the chin or chest, acne, unusual tiredness and weight gain without an obvious cause. She also said there is a genetic link. If a mother has PCOS, her daughter may have about a 30 to 40 per cent chance of developing it as well. Even so, she said women should still get checked, since older relatives may have had the condition without ever being diagnosed.

Somerville said menopause does not mean a woman suddenly develops PCOS, but some may reach that stage without knowing they had it earlier in life. She added that symptoms blamed on PCOS can sometimes point to another issue, including thyroid problems, so proper medical assessment remains important.