The health condition PCOS is now called PMOS; here's everything you need to know

A hormonal condition affecting 1 in 8 women around the world just got a new name in hopes of improving care It Is now called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome instead of polycystic ovary syndromeResearchers and supporters of the change said the old name often shortened to PCOS is inaccurate It reduced a complex hormonal or endocrine disorder to a misunderstanding about cysts and a focus on ovaries contributing to missed diagnoses and inadequate treatment said the Endocrine Society a global group of physicians and scientistsldquoThe thought behind that is that one therersquos no cysts in the ovary so itrsquos very confusingrdquo said Dr Melanie Cree one of the authors of the Lancet article and a pediatric endocrinology expert at the University of Colorado Anschutz ldquoThe hope was that with a more comprehensive and accurate name change that it would start to enable and push better carerdquoThe name change ndash made after 14 years of collaboration between experts and patients ndash was published in The Lancet on TuesdayNow PCOS is called PMOSThe condition is characterised by fluctuations in hormones that can affect weight metabolic and mental health the reproductive system and the skinIt is associated with metabolic syndrome a group of health conditions that increases your risk of Type 2 diabetes heart disease and stroke Dr Sarah Hutto with the University of Minnesota Medical School said in an online article put out by the universityNo one knows exactly what causes the condition but therersquos evidence that genetics and obesity play roles according to the Cleveland ClinicWhat are the symptoms of PMOSSymptoms vary which can make it tough for doctors to diagnoseIt is associated with irregular menstrual cycles and excess production of a group of hormones known as androgens which can cause acne and hair growth or thinning It may also cause follicles on the ovaries although not abnormal cysts But not all of these findings are required for the diagnosisTo make the diagnosis in teens Cree said the patient has to have both irregular periods and signs of high androgens This can include high blood levels of the hormones or symptoms such as severe acne or chest hairPMOS is associated with infertility problemsCleveland Clinic experts say it is the most common cause of female infertility because not ovulating frequently can result in not being able to conceiveHaving the condition may also increase your risk of certain pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes or preterm birth Still most people with the condition can successfully carry a pregnancyHow PMOS can be treatedCree says the number one treatment is lifestyle changes such as eating less processed food exercising and getting a good nightrsquos sleepldquoWersquore not trying to be judgmental There is science to back this uprdquo she said ldquoSo in PMOS there is too much of the hormone insulin in many women and that insulin confuses the ovary to make too much testosterone And itrsquos the high testosterone that is causing all the symptomsrdquoOther treatments include insulinsensitizing medicines such as Metformin medications that block androgens and hormonal birth controlBut Hutto stresses that management of the condition should be individualized to address specific symptoms and concerns For example those who plan to get pregnant may want to focus on fertility treatments while others may be more interested in options like hormonal birth controlHow will the name change helpResearchers and doctors are spreading the word about the name change to their peers at meetings and through medical societies and other means They hope it raises awareness about the reality of the condition and how they can best help patientsldquoIrsquom very excited about the name changerdquo Cree said ldquoas are the majority of my colleaguesrdquoThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever