On May 12th, 2026, a landmark paper published in The Lancet officially renamed polycystic ovary syndrome to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome — PMOS. The result of 14 years of work, 56 international organizations, and 22,000 voices from around the world.

This is not a cosmetic rebrand. This is a clinical correction — and it changes how this condition affecting 170 million women worldwide will be diagnosed, treated, and researched for generations to come.

In this episode, Dr. Kelsy Vick breaks down everything:

• Why the old name PCOS was clinically inaccurate and actively harmful
• What PMOS actually stands for and why every word matters
• The real biology of this condition — far beyond ovarian cysts
• Why 70% of women with PMOS are undiagnosed — and how the name contributed to that
• What changes in diagnosis, treatment, and research globally
• What this means practically if you have a diagnosis, suspect you might, or have ever been dismissed

This is the episode 170 million women deserve to hear.

• Teede et al. (2026) — The Lancet — Official global consensus name change 📎 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00717-8/fulltext
• STAT News (May 12, 2026) — Full renaming process coverage 📎 https://www.statnews.com/2026/05/12/pcos-now-called-pmos-polyendocrine-metabolic-ovarian-syndrome/
• University of Colorado Anschutz (May 12, 2026) — U.S. researcher involvement 📎 https://news.cuanschutz.edu/news-stories/pcos-new-name
• Endocrine Society — Official statement on PMOS 📎 https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2026/pcos-name-change
• Contemporary OB/GYN — Clinical implications of PMOS 📎 https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/global-consensus-renames-pcos-to-polyendocrine-metabolic-ovarian-syndrome-pmos-
• CNN Health — Patient-facing reporting on the name change 📎 https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/13/health/pcos-name-change-pmos-wellness
• PMC — From ovarian to endocrine-metabolic roots 📎 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12748392/

loving the pod? click the follow button, & we'd love if you could leave a review! thank you x 1000 :)

sign up for the free Smart Girl Newspaper!

insta:: @dr.kelsyvickdpt & @wellnessbigsispod

youtube:: @dr.kelsyvickdpt

tiktok:: @dr.kelsyvickdpt & @wellnessbigsispod

#PMOSNotPCOS #PCOSNameChange #PolyendocrineMetabolicOvarianSyndrome #WomensHormoneHealth #WomensHealthPodcast

Welcome to Wellness Fixes the Pod, a

by Maven Media production, where we

2

00:00:04,858 --> 00:00:09,178

believe you deserve real education

from real experts, delivered

3

00:00:09,178 --> 00:00:11,197

in a way you can actually use.

4

00:00:11,227 --> 00:00:11,578

I'm Dr.

5

00:00:11,578 --> 00:00:15,588

Kelsey Vick, your board certified

orthopedic doctor of physical therapy, and

6

00:00:15,588 --> 00:00:19,928

this podcast was built for the girl who

is done feeling overwhelmed and frustrated

7

00:00:19,928 --> 00:00:24,178

by conflicting health noise and is ready

for something she can actually trust.

8

00:00:24,407 --> 00:00:27,998

Every week, we have honest, science-backed

conversations about your health,

9

00:00:28,188 --> 00:00:31,727

your hormones, your brain, your

body, and everything in between.

10

00:00:32,127 --> 00:00:34,688

No fluff, no fear-mongering,

just the truth.

11

00:00:35,037 --> 00:00:38,188

Because understanding your

body is the most powerful

12

00:00:38,188 --> 00:00:39,888

thing you can do for yourself.

13

00:00:40,188 --> 00:00:43,647

A table full of experts built for

the curious girl who wants the truth.

14

00:00:43,908 --> 00:00:44,467

So welcome.

15

00:00:44,697 --> 00:00:46,048

Your seat is waiting for you.

16

00:00:47,107 --> 00:00:52,277

If you have PCOS or think you might,

this might be the most important episode

17

00:00:52,277 --> 00:00:57,827

that I've recorded all year because as

of May 12th, 2026, PCOS no longer exists.

18

00:00:57,827 --> 00:01:06,426

The name is a misnomer, and that misnomer

has plagued so many girls and prevented

19

00:01:06,426 --> 00:01:10,096

so many women from getting a diagnosis for

what's truly going on within their bodies.

20

00:01:10,096 --> 00:01:13,996

It's a very important step in the right

direction because a lot of girls have been

21

00:01:14,287 --> 00:01:19,047

misunderstood and misdiagnosed because

of the actual name of this condition.

22

00:01:19,557 --> 00:01:24,066

According to the World Health

Organization, an estimated 10 to 13%

23

00:01:24,066 --> 00:01:27,265

of reproductive-age women worldwide

have this condition, and an estimated

24

00:01:27,265 --> 00:01:30,187

70% of them do not have a diagnosis.

25

00:01:30,187 --> 00:01:33,906

This is not an ovarian problem that

happens to have metabolic side effects.

26

00:01:34,636 --> 00:01:38,476

It is an endocrine problem that has

metabolic, reproductive, dermatological,

27

00:01:38,476 --> 00:01:40,257

neurological, and psychological effects.

28

00:01:40,257 --> 00:01:49,217

170 million women, 70% undiagnosed, 14

years of trying to get the name right.

29

00:01:49,217 --> 00:01:50,627

PCOS is not just a new acronym.

30

00:01:50,776 --> 00:01:53,626

It is a clinical correction

that was overdue by decades.

31

00:01:54,136 --> 00:01:56,946

And now that we have the right

name, we can finally start

32

00:01:56,946 --> 00:01:58,854

having the right conversations

33

00:02:02,269 --> 00:02:07,439

If you have PCOS or think you might,

this might be the most important episode

34

00:02:07,439 --> 00:02:13,695

that I've recorded all year because as

of May 12th, 2026, PCOS no longer exists

35

00:02:13,995 --> 00:02:17,435

It has a new name, a new definition,

a new clinical framework, and

36

00:02:17,435 --> 00:02:19,663

a completely new understanding

37

00:02:19,663 --> 00:02:20,983

of what it actually is

38

00:02:21,283 --> 00:02:25,191

And the reason it was renamed changes

everything about how this condition

39

00:02:25,191 --> 00:02:28,587

has been diagnosed, treated,

and dismissed for decades

40

00:02:28,887 --> 00:02:37,779

PCOS has been renamed PMOS One letter

changed 14 years of work, 22,000 voices

41

00:02:37,779 --> 00:02:39,929

going into that one letter change

42

00:02:40,228 --> 00:02:43,359

And it's a scientific correction

that is long, long overdue.

43

00:02:43,659 --> 00:02:44,309

Let's talk about it.

44

00:02:44,609 --> 00:02:46,009

Welcome back to Wellness Fix with the Pod.

45

00:02:46,009 --> 00:02:46,679

I'm your host, Dr.

46

00:02:46,679 --> 00:02:49,429

Kelsey Vick, a board-certified

orthopedic doctor of physical therapy,

47

00:02:49,759 --> 00:02:53,988

a pelvic floor physical therapist, and

a women's health physical therapist.

48

00:02:53,988 --> 00:02:55,938

And this is an episode that sort

of came out of the blue because

49

00:02:56,238 --> 00:02:57,968

this is a very recent change.

50

00:02:58,317 --> 00:03:03,918

I am still seeing girls talk

about PCOS, and the goal is to

51

00:03:04,218 --> 00:03:08,968

make PMOS the new standard over

the next three years worldwide.

52

00:03:08,968 --> 00:03:13,301

So it's a very recent change, and I wanted

to talk about why it is so, so important.

53

00:03:13,601 --> 00:03:18,421

If you know anyone who has had PCOS,

if you yourself have had PCOS, chances

54

00:03:18,421 --> 00:03:22,781

are it has taken a long time to get a

diagnosis for it or to truly understand

55

00:03:22,781 --> 00:03:23,811

what's happening within your body.

56

00:03:24,111 --> 00:03:27,011

And one of the reasons is

that the name is a misnomer,

57

00:03:27,371 --> 00:03:31,041

polycystic ovarian syndrome, PCOS.

58

00:03:31,441 --> 00:03:38,011

Polycystic, the very first few terms

indicate that there are multiple cysts

59

00:03:38,011 --> 00:03:44,610

on the ovaries, and that misnomer has

plagued so many girls and prevented

60

00:03:44,610 --> 00:03:47,940

so many women from getting a diagnosis

for what's truly going on within their

61

00:03:47,940 --> 00:03:52,020

bodies because newsflash, PCOS, you

do not have cysts on your ovaries.

62

00:03:52,380 --> 00:03:57,120

By having a name that better reflects the

entire diagnosis, it makes it that much

63

00:03:57,170 --> 00:04:00,700

easier, or the goal is to make it that

much easier for girls to get a diagnosis

64

00:04:00,700 --> 00:04:04,780

earlier on and understand what their

bodies are going through when they have

65

00:04:04,780 --> 00:04:11,140

PMOS and have treatment options that

are more tailored to this polymetabolic

66

00:04:11,140 --> 00:04:13,124

nature of the entire condition

67

00:04:13,424 --> 00:04:16,014

So this episode is for everyone,

whether you have a diagnosis, whether

68

00:04:16,014 --> 00:04:19,673

you know someone who has the diagnosis,

or whether you're just trying to

69

00:04:19,704 --> 00:04:22,444

better understand the female body.

70

00:04:22,794 --> 00:04:25,764

And as a little side note, we'll

talk about it later in the episode,

71

00:04:25,934 --> 00:04:32,214

but the majority of people who were

asked on this name change chose PMOS.

72

00:04:32,284 --> 00:04:38,914

But two of the leading voices in the

field of PCOS/PMOS actually voted for

73

00:04:38,914 --> 00:04:42,664

different options, and one of the reasons

that someone voted for a different

74

00:04:42,664 --> 00:04:47,074

option is because there might be a male

presentation of this diagnosis as well.

75

00:04:47,124 --> 00:04:51,794

So a little precursor, a little

foreshadowing of what's to

76

00:04:51,794 --> 00:04:52,794

come later in the episode.

77

00:04:52,904 --> 00:04:54,694

But it's a very important change.

78

00:04:54,694 --> 00:04:57,734

It's a very important step in the

right direction, because a lot

79

00:04:57,734 --> 00:05:01,854

of girls have been misunderstood

and misdiagnosed because of the

80

00:05:01,944 --> 00:05:03,832

actual name of this condition

81

00:05:04,132 --> 00:05:08,272

So for quick context, on May 12th,

2026, a landmark paper published in

82

00:05:08,272 --> 00:05:14,916

The Lancet officially renamed PCOS,

polycystic ovarian syndrome, to PMOS

83

00:05:15,216 --> 00:05:17,996

polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome

84

00:05:18,296 --> 00:05:21,706

And this was not just a casual

rebrand to try and confuse people.

85

00:05:21,816 --> 00:05:25,096

This study is 14 years in the making.

86

00:05:25,096 --> 00:05:31,526

There were 22,000 people who were able

to add input, and the final selection

87

00:05:31,526 --> 00:05:35,816

of three names that were chosen were

voted on by 90 professionals worldwide

88

00:05:35,816 --> 00:05:40,724

within the field of women's health,

specifically PCOS, PMOS related

89

00:05:41,024 --> 00:05:46,504

So today we'll cover why the old name was

not just inaccurate, but actually harmful,

90

00:05:46,804 --> 00:05:52,344

what PMOS actually is And the real biology

behind the condition, why the name change

91

00:05:52,344 --> 00:05:56,464

is more than just cosmetic, and what

this means practically for women who have

92

00:05:56,464 --> 00:05:57,870

this diagnosis or think that they might

93

00:05:58,170 --> 00:06:02,718

So what was the actual problem with

PCOS, polycystic ovarian syndrome?

94

00:06:03,018 --> 00:06:04,898

The first problem was

what it actually implies.

95

00:06:04,928 --> 00:06:10,244

Polycystic ovarian syndrome implies that

there are multiple cysts on the ovaries

96

00:06:10,544 --> 00:06:12,304

But the problem is there are no cysts.

97

00:06:12,574 --> 00:06:15,158

What appear as cysts on imaging

98

00:06:15,458 --> 00:06:18,054

are actually just small, immature

99

00:06:18,354 --> 00:06:21,046

egg follicles that did not

fully develop and release

100

00:06:21,346 --> 00:06:25,536

So this is a fundamental biological

distinction that the medical community

101

00:06:25,836 --> 00:06:31,556

or those involved in women's health and

PCOS, PMOS treatment and diagnosis have

102

00:06:31,556 --> 00:06:35,586

known about for years, But it's never

been corrected on this global of a scale

103

00:06:35,886 --> 00:06:38,626

And there are a lot of clinical

consequences for this diagnosis.

104

00:06:38,626 --> 00:06:41,906

For those not involved in the field

of women's health, when they hear

105

00:06:41,906 --> 00:06:45,736

PCOS and hear polycystic ovarian

syndrome, and they're looking at

106

00:06:45,736 --> 00:06:48,356

their patient in front of them, if

they do not have that women's health

107

00:06:48,436 --> 00:06:52,607

expertise and are just the patient's

first line of contact, they think if

108

00:06:52,607 --> 00:06:58,117

they don't see cysts that they are

automatically not in the category of PCOS.

109

00:06:58,117 --> 00:07:00,487

But if you have PCOS, this is

probably one of the biggest

110

00:07:00,487 --> 00:07:03,837

frustrations is that you understand

what's happening within your body.

111

00:07:04,087 --> 00:07:08,997

Some of the signs and symptoms might

line up with PMOS symptoms or previously

112

00:07:08,997 --> 00:07:14,537

PCOS symptoms, but you don't necessarily

have these multiple cysts that the

113

00:07:14,537 --> 00:07:18,082

name implies so there's a clinical

consequence for this misnaming.

114

00:07:18,383 --> 00:07:22,813

When doctors were looking at imaging

and they didn't find cysts, PCOS was

115

00:07:22,813 --> 00:07:28,153

immediately pushed off the table, even

if the girl was reporting other symptoms

116

00:07:28,153 --> 00:07:35,553

that lead to a PCOS or now PMOS diagnosis,

which only contributed to that lengthened

117

00:07:35,553 --> 00:07:39,623

time between when someone sought out care

for some of the issues and challenges

118

00:07:39,623 --> 00:07:44,169

they were facing to an actual diagnosis

A lot of women report being dismissed

119

00:07:44,169 --> 00:07:47,308

by their doctors because they don't have

cysts, so of course, they don't have PCOS.

120

00:07:47,308 --> 00:07:52,299

When now we understand PMOS is a more

accurate term because someone does

121

00:07:52,299 --> 00:07:54,199

not have to present with these cysts.

122

00:07:54,199 --> 00:07:59,019

They can have a lot of these other

clusters that fall under this PMOS

123

00:07:59,019 --> 00:08:02,899

diagnosis and will help them get

that diagnosis quicker than a lot of

124

00:08:02,899 --> 00:08:05,019

other women who have this diagnosis.

125

00:08:05,019 --> 00:08:05,719

That's their story.

126

00:08:05,719 --> 00:08:10,379

A lot of women, it takes them so long

to come in with symptoms and challenges

127

00:08:10,379 --> 00:08:11,889

and then finally get that diagnosis

128

00:08:12,189 --> 00:08:14,909

According to the World Health

Organization, an estimated ten to

129

00:08:14,909 --> 00:08:18,879

thirteen percent of reproductive-age

women worldwide have this condition.

130

00:08:19,179 --> 00:08:23,189

That's approximately a hundred and seventy

million women, and an estimated seventy

131

00:08:23,189 --> 00:08:25,509

percent of them do not have a diagnosis.

132

00:08:25,809 --> 00:08:28,529

The name is one of the

documented reasons why.

133

00:08:28,829 --> 00:08:31,959

So it's not just a

rebrand for PCOS to PMOS.

134

00:08:31,959 --> 00:08:35,009

It's not just a bunch of smart,

educated, brilliant people who came

135

00:08:35,009 --> 00:08:36,159

together and decided, "You know what?

136

00:08:36,459 --> 00:08:37,779

PCOS has been around for too long.

137

00:08:37,818 --> 00:08:38,489

We need to switch."

138

00:08:38,698 --> 00:08:41,639

There is an actual reason, and it's

going to help so many more women

139

00:08:41,999 --> 00:08:43,485

get the diagnosis they need sooner.

140

00:08:43,784 --> 00:08:46,205

The other problem with

the name was syndra.

141

00:08:46,205 --> 00:08:49,745

What did it actually imply and

what does biology actually show?

142

00:08:50,045 --> 00:08:54,799

so syndrome suggests a collection

of loosely identified symptoms

143

00:08:55,099 --> 00:09:00,069

PCOS often implied a vague sort

of cluster of symptoms, oftentimes

144

00:09:00,069 --> 00:09:04,309

thinking that it relates only to the

ovaries and cysts on the ovaries and

145

00:09:04,309 --> 00:09:09,049

symptoms related to that, where PMOS,

polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome,

146

00:09:09,349 --> 00:09:15,329

starts to integrate more of this

multi-system approach to the treatment

147

00:09:15,329 --> 00:09:16,999

of what used to be known as PCOS.

148

00:09:17,299 --> 00:09:21,199

we know that PMOS touches a lot

of different systems within our

149

00:09:21,199 --> 00:09:25,445

bodies, not just the ovaries and our

reproductive system It touches the

150

00:09:25,445 --> 00:09:26,915

endocrine system, the metabolic system.

151

00:09:27,215 --> 00:09:30,443

It touches the reproductive

system, the dermatological system

152

00:09:30,593 --> 00:09:32,753

The neurological symptom

and psychological health.

153

00:09:33,153 --> 00:09:36,103

It touches all of those systems and

they all play off of each other.

154

00:09:36,103 --> 00:09:41,203

So the new term polyendocrine metabolic

ovarian syndrome starts to encompass

155

00:09:41,263 --> 00:09:46,689

the overarching broader nature of this

entire condition The Lancet paper found

156

00:09:46,689 --> 00:09:52,799

that the term PCOS was creating a stigma,

particularly around fertility, because

157

00:09:52,799 --> 00:09:57,059

it only talked about the reproductive

system, leading to women believing the

158

00:09:57,059 --> 00:10:00,499

condition was primarily about their

ability to have children, when it is

159

00:10:00,499 --> 00:10:04,919

actually a major metabolic and endocrine

disorder with lifelong health implications

160

00:10:04,919 --> 00:10:07,197

that extend far beyond just reproduction

161

00:10:07,497 --> 00:10:09,107

So how did this naming process go about?

162

00:10:09,107 --> 00:10:13,637

Because getting 22,000 people from

around the world to try and agree

163

00:10:13,637 --> 00:10:16,306

on a name is very, very challenging

164

00:10:16,606 --> 00:10:22,006

So the journey started in October 2015,

where a symposium was held in Sicily

165

00:10:22,336 --> 00:10:27,704

looking to rename PCOS to incorporate

the broader systems that it affects and

166

00:10:27,704 --> 00:10:32,190

help with girls getting that diagnosis

a lot quicker over the next decade, the

167

00:10:32,190 --> 00:10:35,665

most extensive disease renaming process

168

00:10:35,966 --> 00:10:37,830

In medical history unfolded.

169

00:10:37,830 --> 00:10:41,910

In 2017, there was the first

international survey of stakeholders,

170

00:10:41,910 --> 00:10:45,280

followed in twenty twenty-three by

the second survey expanding the reach.

171

00:10:45,590 --> 00:10:49,290

Twenty twenty-five, the third survey

administered to nearly fifteen thousand

172

00:10:49,290 --> 00:10:53,570

stakeholders and approximately twenty-two

thousand people across the globe sharing

173

00:10:53,570 --> 00:10:57,400

their perspectives, from doctors,

researchers, patients, patient advocates,

174

00:10:57,690 --> 00:10:59,320

charities from every region of the world.

175

00:10:59,620 --> 00:11:00,130

The process

176

00:11:00,180 --> 00:11:04,530

Was led by Professor Teede at Monash

University in Australia alongside

177

00:11:04,530 --> 00:11:08,410

fifty-six patient and professional

organizations, including the Endocrine

178

00:11:08,410 --> 00:11:13,330

Society, the International Androgen Excess

and PCOS Society, and Verity PCOS UK.

179

00:11:13,630 --> 00:11:18,720

So what did all of these people say that

they wanted when it came to renaming PCOS?

180

00:11:19,020 --> 00:11:22,610

Above everything else, 22,000 people

said the new name needed to stop

181

00:11:22,610 --> 00:11:25,082

causing harm, whether that was the

182

00:11:25,382 --> 00:11:30,342

associations created with having PCOS and

patients thinking if they had PCOS, they

183

00:11:30,342 --> 00:11:34,092

were going to have reproductive issues,

or whether it was delayed diagnosis.

184

00:11:34,092 --> 00:11:38,986

There were a lot of ways that the actual

term, actual name of PCOS was causing harm

185

00:11:39,286 --> 00:11:41,636

The second priority was

ease of communication.

186

00:11:41,636 --> 00:11:46,096

The third priority was scientific

accuracy, and they wanted the endocrine

187

00:11:46,096 --> 00:11:50,426

system explicitly named in the new

terminology because the hormonal nature

188

00:11:50,456 --> 00:11:55,676

of the condition was the most invisible

and most misunderstood aspect of PCOS.

189

00:11:55,786 --> 00:11:59,696

The reproductive system was getting

highlighted, which caused a lot of

190

00:11:59,696 --> 00:12:04,626

fear and which still causes a lot

of fear in people who have PCOS or

191

00:12:04,626 --> 00:12:06,756

people who have friends who have PCOS.

192

00:12:07,056 --> 00:12:10,386

The reproductive system is really shining

in that name, When in reality, the

193

00:12:10,386 --> 00:12:12,616

endocrine system underlies all of this.

194

00:12:12,646 --> 00:12:16,076

So they wanted to make sure that

the endocrine system was explicitly

195

00:12:16,076 --> 00:12:19,834

named in the new So three finalist

names were put to a vote of

196

00:12:19,834 --> 00:12:23,004

ninety panel members, clinicians,

researchers, patients, and advocates.

197

00:12:23,304 --> 00:12:26,504

Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian

syndrome won in a landslide.

198

00:12:26,504 --> 00:12:30,204

Eighty-seven and ninety voters

supported it immediately with an

199

00:12:30,304 --> 00:12:33,605

eighty-eighth coming around before the

manuscript was actually submitted So

200

00:12:33,605 --> 00:12:36,115

what's the real biology behind PMOS?

201

00:12:36,415 --> 00:12:40,355

Now that we have a name that reflects

what the actual condition really is

202

00:12:40,655 --> 00:12:43,995

Let's actually try and understand

the biology and physiology of PMOS

203

00:12:44,295 --> 00:12:46,015

So for starters, let's

break down the new name.

204

00:12:46,325 --> 00:12:47,965

Poly meaning multiple.

205

00:12:48,265 --> 00:12:52,861

So it's not one hormonal disturbance,

it's multiple interacting Hormonal

206

00:12:52,861 --> 00:12:54,431

disturbances simultaneously.

207

00:12:55,096 --> 00:12:59,716

Lancet paper specifies insulin,

androgens, and neuroendocrine hormones

208

00:13:00,056 --> 00:13:04,443

all dysregulated together and all

influencing each Moving on to endocrine,

209

00:13:04,543 --> 00:13:08,393

the actual hormonal system, one of the

communication systems within our bodies.

210

00:13:08,693 --> 00:13:11,489

This is the single most

important word in the new name

211

00:13:11,789 --> 00:13:15,549

People with PMOS have a disturbance

in the endocrine system, in their

212

00:13:15,549 --> 00:13:18,417

hormonal system, in one of the

communication systems of the body

213

00:13:18,717 --> 00:13:22,917

It's the entire body's chemical messenger

network, And it affects so many other

214

00:13:22,917 --> 00:13:27,057

different systems within our bodies,

which is why endocrine and relating

215

00:13:27,057 --> 00:13:32,947

PMOS back to this communication system,

is going to make the diagnostic tools

216

00:13:32,977 --> 00:13:38,497

and the cluster of symptoms that people

experience a lot better understood

217

00:13:38,497 --> 00:13:41,757

because we know the endocrine system

affects so many other systems within

218

00:13:41,757 --> 00:13:46,617

our body, not just our reproductive

system, which is what PCOS previously

219

00:13:46,617 --> 00:13:51,609

implied because the endocrine system is

affected, this helps people understand

220

00:13:51,709 --> 00:13:55,985

why the symptoms can be so varied

person to person and system by system

221

00:13:56,285 --> 00:14:00,417

This is not an ovarian problem that

happens to have metabolic side effects

222

00:14:00,717 --> 00:14:05,803

It is an endocrine problem that has

metabolic Reproductive, dermatological,

223

00:14:05,803 --> 00:14:07,923

neurological, and psychological effects

224

00:14:08,223 --> 00:14:09,763

Moving to the M, metabolic

225

00:14:10,063 --> 00:14:13,823

This word is what changes the

entire clinical treatment approach.

226

00:14:14,123 --> 00:14:18,185

If you think about it from a layperson's

perspective, when you hear PCOS,

227

00:14:18,185 --> 00:14:21,895

polycystic ovarian syndrome, you think

of multiple cysts on the ovaries.

228

00:14:22,095 --> 00:14:26,385

So naturally, one would think, that

removing those cysts is going to help

229

00:14:26,385 --> 00:14:30,453

the issue when we look at it as a

polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome

230

00:14:30,453 --> 00:14:36,373

instead, we start to understand that we

can't just impact the reproductive system.

231

00:14:36,373 --> 00:14:40,833

We have to take an overarching approach

that's going to positively impact our

232

00:14:41,023 --> 00:14:42,563

communication signals within our body.

233

00:14:42,563 --> 00:14:46,053

That's that overall hormonal song and

dance that we have that happens day to

234

00:14:46,053 --> 00:14:51,483

day, month to month, but it also implies

the metabolic approach where We need

235

00:14:51,483 --> 00:14:55,563

to make sure that the things going into

treating the health of our metabolic

236

00:14:55,563 --> 00:14:57,751

system are also getting looked at as well.

237

00:14:57,851 --> 00:15:01,101

Things like insulin, blood sugar

regulation, all of these things that

238

00:15:01,401 --> 00:15:05,981

people at the forefront of the PCOS

field knew about, but for people who

239

00:15:05,981 --> 00:15:09,761

didn't necessarily understand it,

they didn't know that could positively

240

00:15:09,761 --> 00:15:12,531

affect their previously PCOS symptoms

241

00:15:12,831 --> 00:15:17,321

So insulin resistance is one of the

central mechanisms of PCOS and it

242

00:15:17,321 --> 00:15:21,915

is present even in lean, non-obese

women with the condition The old

243

00:15:21,915 --> 00:15:24,179

name never truly captured the

244

00:15:24,479 --> 00:15:29,573

importance of the metabolic system

in treatment of previously PCOS

245

00:15:29,873 --> 00:15:32,963

which is why women with PMOS were

246

00:15:33,263 --> 00:15:38,391

consistently dismissed or missed

entirely The metabolic side of PMOS

247

00:15:38,391 --> 00:15:44,021

links PMOS to elevated risk of impaired

glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes,

248

00:15:44,021 --> 00:15:47,781

gestational diabetes, dyslipidemia,

high blood pressure, cardiovascular

249

00:15:47,781 --> 00:15:49,211

disease, and liver disease.

250

00:15:49,581 --> 00:15:54,121

This is not just a fertility problem that

sometimes comes with weight gain This

251

00:15:54,121 --> 00:15:59,125

is a metabolic disorder that sometimes

affects fertility Moving on to ovarian,

252

00:15:59,125 --> 00:16:00,525

which is that reproductive component.

253

00:16:00,825 --> 00:16:03,961

The ovaries are involved, but

it's one part of a complete system

254

00:16:04,261 --> 00:16:05,661

not the defining feature

255

00:16:05,961 --> 00:16:07,561

And then lastly, the word syndrome.

256

00:16:07,861 --> 00:16:10,281

Still present, but redefined a little bit.

257

00:16:10,331 --> 00:16:12,675

Rather than a casual cluster of symptoms

258

00:16:12,975 --> 00:16:17,405

We now understand the reason

for the variety of symptoms

259

00:16:17,405 --> 00:16:18,635

that girls might present with.

260

00:16:18,635 --> 00:16:20,615

It's not just "Oh, I have

this and this," and there's a

261

00:16:20,615 --> 00:16:22,245

casual sort of loose grouping.

262

00:16:22,545 --> 00:16:27,065

It's now better understood that the

endocrine system affects our entire body.

263

00:16:27,365 --> 00:16:29,395

The metabolic system

affects our entire body.

264

00:16:29,545 --> 00:16:33,435

So the term syndrome remains, but

rather than being a casual sort

265

00:16:33,435 --> 00:16:36,717

of loose grouping of symptoms

that some girls might experience

266

00:16:37,017 --> 00:16:41,107

It recognizes the full complexity

that having something that affects

267

00:16:41,107 --> 00:16:43,837

the endocrine system, our hormonal

system, the communication system, the

268

00:16:43,837 --> 00:16:48,347

metabolic system, the effects that

all of that has on our entire bodies

269

00:16:48,647 --> 00:16:50,587

So what can PMOS look like?

270

00:16:50,587 --> 00:16:55,417

And these are not overarching everyone

has to have them, but it helps to have

271

00:16:55,930 --> 00:17:00,560

this sort of understanding of what

girls with PMOS might present with.

272

00:17:00,860 --> 00:17:04,630

And now that we have this name change,

polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome,

273

00:17:04,930 --> 00:17:10,067

we're better able to understand why girls

who have PMOS have such a variety of So

274

00:17:10,067 --> 00:17:14,406

starting with hormonal symptoms, you might

have irregular or absent periods, absent

275

00:17:14,436 --> 00:17:19,767

or irregular ovulation, excess androgens

causing acne, excess facial or body hair,

276

00:17:19,767 --> 00:17:21,577

and hair thinning or loss on the scalp.

277

00:17:21,877 --> 00:17:24,357

For the metabolic symptoms,

people might experience insulin

278

00:17:24,357 --> 00:17:26,436

resistance, even in thin women.

279

00:17:26,487 --> 00:17:31,657

this is a huge misunderstanding in

PCOS, where people assume if someone

280

00:17:31,657 --> 00:17:36,597

has metabolic issues, they assume weight

gain or slightly overweight, when in

281

00:17:36,597 --> 00:17:40,367

reality there are so many people who

don't match that body type who have PMOS.

282

00:17:40,477 --> 00:17:44,447

So having this name change will also

help women who might not fit the

283

00:17:44,447 --> 00:17:49,219

picture of a metabolic disorder get

the diagnosis that they need of PMOS

284

00:17:49,519 --> 00:17:52,639

so continuing with the metabolic

symptoms, you might have blood sugar

285

00:17:52,639 --> 00:17:56,649

dysregulation and cravings, difficulty

losing weight or unexplained weight

286

00:17:56,649 --> 00:17:58,659

gain, particularly around the midsection.

287

00:17:58,959 --> 00:18:02,169

You might have an elevated risk of

gestational diabetes during pregnancy

288

00:18:02,519 --> 00:18:06,519

and an elevated long-term risk of type

2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

289

00:18:06,819 --> 00:18:10,199

For the neurological and psychological

symptoms, you'll, you might have

290

00:18:10,199 --> 00:18:11,909

sleep apnea, depression, anxiety

291

00:18:12,059 --> 00:18:13,489

Or body dysmorphia.

292

00:18:13,489 --> 00:18:17,329

And the dermatological symptoms, acne

driven by those excess androgens,

293

00:18:17,329 --> 00:18:19,249

not just by diet or skin type alone.

294

00:18:19,549 --> 00:18:23,989

Skin changes including darkening around

the neck, armpits or groin and excess

295

00:18:24,169 --> 00:18:26,507

hair growth in androgen-sensitive areas

296

00:18:26,807 --> 00:18:30,287

You do not need to have all of these

signs and symptoms to be diagnosed

297

00:18:30,287 --> 00:18:34,728

with PMOS, but these just go to show

the overarching nature a lot of the

298

00:18:34,728 --> 00:18:37,060

symptoms that girls with PMOS might have

299

00:18:37,360 --> 00:18:39,200

I know a name change

sounds like paperwork.

300

00:18:39,230 --> 00:18:43,530

I know anytime something very slight

is changed, especially when it's just

301

00:18:43,530 --> 00:18:47,304

one letter, PCOS compared to PMOS,

but They've combined certain things.

302

00:18:47,304 --> 00:18:52,444

So polycystic ovarian syndrome compared

to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian

303

00:18:52,444 --> 00:18:56,334

syndrome, you can see how it adds

more of this overarching nature to it.

304

00:18:56,334 --> 00:18:57,904

So why the name change?

305

00:18:57,904 --> 00:19:03,698

It's not just paperwork When it comes

to clinical care the diagnosis of PMOS

306

00:19:03,698 --> 00:19:05,368

becomes broader and more inclusive

307

00:19:05,668 --> 00:19:08,168

There's no requirement

anymore to present with cysts.

308

00:19:08,168 --> 00:19:13,848

So now people who don't present with cysts

are not immediately dismissed because

309

00:19:13,848 --> 00:19:18,568

they don't have the cysts that people

thought were characteristic of PCOS.

310

00:19:18,868 --> 00:19:22,290

PMOS encompasses a broader

311

00:19:22,590 --> 00:19:26,879

picture condition actually is Treatments

can now target the actual problem.

312

00:19:27,179 --> 00:19:29,719

As I mentioned earlier, just

from a layperson's perspective,

313

00:19:29,719 --> 00:19:33,359

you can see how PCOS, remove the

cysts, remove the problem, when

314

00:19:33,359 --> 00:19:34,759

that's not necessarily the case.

315

00:19:35,109 --> 00:19:38,729

There is an underlying endocrine

and metabolic component to PMOS.

316

00:19:39,099 --> 00:19:43,189

So now physicians, clinicians, patients

themselves can start to understand

317

00:19:43,189 --> 00:19:46,999

their bodies and understand what

helps that endocrine component of PMOS

318

00:19:46,999 --> 00:19:49,041

and that metabolic component of PMOS

319

00:19:49,341 --> 00:19:52,481

The Lancet paper explicitly states

that the therapeutic framing now

320

00:19:52,481 --> 00:19:56,311

shifts towards targeting upstream

metabolic and neuroendocrine drivers,

321

00:19:56,561 --> 00:20:00,141

specifically insulin resistance,

alongside different reproductive goals.

322

00:20:00,501 --> 00:20:03,713

This means treating the root cause,

not just managing the symptoms

323

00:20:04,013 --> 00:20:07,889

Mental health also now comes

as part of the clinical picture

324

00:20:08,189 --> 00:20:11,079

Depression, anxiety, and body

dysmorphia are now formally

325

00:20:11,079 --> 00:20:15,229

recognized features of PMOS, meaning

that they'll also be addressed.

326

00:20:15,229 --> 00:20:18,749

It's not just let's treat the

reproductive problems and the other

327

00:20:18,749 --> 00:20:20,599

ones are just pushed to the side.

328

00:20:20,959 --> 00:20:25,668

It's now looked at as this more

full body encompassing to where

329

00:20:25,668 --> 00:20:27,462

each system can be treated

330

00:20:27,462 --> 00:20:29,402

the way they're treated in

other conditions as well

331

00:20:29,702 --> 00:20:32,582

I mentioned this one earlier,

but lean women also now get taken

332

00:20:32,582 --> 00:20:35,962

seriously because insulin resistance

is now recognized as central to the

333

00:20:35,962 --> 00:20:37,942

condition regardless of body weight.

334

00:20:38,242 --> 00:20:42,262

Thin women with PMOS symptoms can

no longer be dismissed on the basis

335

00:20:42,262 --> 00:20:46,709

of not looking like the So how

does this name change in research?

336

00:20:47,009 --> 00:20:51,414

The new name and framework can open up

research into the full systemic picture

337

00:20:51,714 --> 00:20:54,494

More research tracking

cardiovascular health, liver health

338

00:20:54,794 --> 00:20:58,935

neurological effects and

better understanding the

339

00:20:59,235 --> 00:21:02,766

male expression of the condition that's

still being studied Research funding and

340

00:21:02,766 --> 00:21:04,626

prioritization are also expected to shift

341

00:21:04,626 --> 00:21:09,916

to reflect both that new root cause of

the metabolic system and our endocrine

342

00:21:09,916 --> 00:21:13,852

systems Globally, the rollout of

this new name change is expected over

343

00:21:13,852 --> 00:21:17,132

the next three years with updates

to clinical guidelines used in a

344

00:21:17,132 --> 00:21:18,552

hundred and ninety-five countries.

345

00:21:18,852 --> 00:21:22,752

Electronic health records, medical

education systems, university curricula,

346

00:21:22,752 --> 00:21:25,992

textbook publishers, pharmaceutical

industry, and insurance classification

347

00:21:25,992 --> 00:21:27,832

systems will all update their terminology.

348

00:21:28,132 --> 00:21:31,232

the systematized nomenclature

of medicine clinical terms, the

349

00:21:31,232 --> 00:21:34,782

Universal Medical Coding System,

will incorporate PMOS, meaning the

350

00:21:34,782 --> 00:21:38,204

name will flow through every level

of healthcare documentation worldwide

351

00:21:38,504 --> 00:21:38,774

Dr.

352

00:21:38,944 --> 00:21:42,654

Kree, a pediatric endocrinologist at

the University of Colorado Anschutz

353

00:21:42,694 --> 00:21:47,654

and one of only two US-based pediatric

endocrinologists involved in this

354

00:21:47,654 --> 00:21:50,854

process, said, " Renaming this

condition is more than semantics.

355

00:21:51,234 --> 00:21:54,304

It's about finally recognizing the full

reality of what patients experience.

356

00:21:54,604 --> 00:21:56,164

language matters in medicine."

357

00:21:56,314 --> 00:21:59,544

So here's what the PMOS name

change actually means for women

358

00:21:59,544 --> 00:22:01,150

who are navigating this right now

359

00:22:01,450 --> 00:22:04,690

If you have a PCOS diagnosis,

your diagnosis is still valid.

360

00:22:05,020 --> 00:22:08,880

Just think of this new name as a

way to better encompass all of the

361

00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:10,480

symptoms that you might experience

362

00:22:10,780 --> 00:22:15,770

you have a better name, a better

framework, and will have better research

363

00:22:15,920 --> 00:22:20,510

To start to better understand the

underlying systems that are at play

364

00:22:20,560 --> 00:22:25,584

within your body and within the PMOS

diagnosis as a whole You can also

365

00:22:25,584 --> 00:22:30,064

use this as an opportunity to revisit

the provider who is overseeing your

366

00:22:30,064 --> 00:22:31,957

care and this diagnosis as a whole

367

00:22:32,257 --> 00:22:35,647

Ask about insulin resistance screening,

especially if you are lean and

368

00:22:35,647 --> 00:22:37,387

maybe have previously been dismissed

369

00:22:37,687 --> 00:22:41,051

Ask about the metabolic and

cardiovascular monitoring that is now

370

00:22:41,051 --> 00:22:43,921

formally recommended, and you

can also ask about mental health

371

00:22:44,221 --> 00:22:48,281

as a recognized component of this

condition You're not just someone

372

00:22:48,281 --> 00:22:51,133

with irregular periods or ovary issues

373

00:22:51,433 --> 00:22:55,957

You have a complex multi-system

endocrine and metabolic condition

374

00:22:55,957 --> 00:22:59,503

and you deserve care that reflects

that If you have symptoms but no

375

00:22:59,503 --> 00:23:04,363

diagnosis, the 70% undiagnosed

statistic exists in part because the

376

00:23:04,393 --> 00:23:07,019

old name and the diagnostic biases

377

00:23:07,019 --> 00:23:07,749

it created.

378

00:23:07,999 --> 00:23:11,859

With PMOS, the diagnostic framework

is broader If you have these

379

00:23:11,859 --> 00:23:14,239

symptoms, it's definitely worth

discussing with your provider.

380

00:23:14,539 --> 00:23:18,179

Irregular or absent periods, acne that

doesn't respond to typical treatments,

381

00:23:18,539 --> 00:23:22,319

excess hair growth, hair thinning,

difficulty managing weight, blood sugar

382

00:23:22,319 --> 00:23:26,659

instability, persistent anxiety or

depression, sleep issues, or fatigue.

383

00:23:26,979 --> 00:23:28,439

You do not need cysts.

384

00:23:28,709 --> 00:23:30,829

You do not need to be

a particular body size.

385

00:23:31,129 --> 00:23:33,191

You do not need to be trying to conceive

386

00:23:33,491 --> 00:23:37,913

You just need to advocate for a complete

metabolic and endocrine evaluation If

387

00:23:37,913 --> 00:23:41,501

you have been dismissed before, the

research is now formally on your side

388

00:23:41,801 --> 00:23:46,831

The Lancet paper validates what patients

have been saying for decades The old name

389

00:23:46,831 --> 00:23:49,215

created a narrow and inaccurate picture

390

00:23:49,215 --> 00:23:52,619

of this condition that led to real

diagnostic harm If you have been told

391

00:23:52,619 --> 00:23:56,619

your symptoms don't fit or that you can't

have PCOS because you don't have cysts

392

00:23:56,619 --> 00:24:00,889

or because you're thin or because your

periods are only slightly irregular,

393

00:24:01,289 --> 00:24:04,959

find a provider who is working with the

updated framework You were not wrong.

394

00:24:04,959 --> 00:24:09,788

The name was the three-year rollout means

that you will still hear PCOS, but the

395

00:24:09,788 --> 00:24:15,298

idea is that PMOS will trickle down and

start to become the new name that a lot

396

00:24:15,298 --> 00:24:20,668

of people Reference when they're talking

about the previous condition of PCOS

397

00:24:20,968 --> 00:24:27,638

So I mentioned 88 of 90 final experts

voted in favor of the PMOS name change.

398

00:24:28,008 --> 00:24:32,738

The two that didn't have important reasons

for why, and I think it's important

399

00:24:32,738 --> 00:24:34,956

that we touch on those reasons as well

400

00:24:35,256 --> 00:24:38,806

Two of their primary concerns with--

was that the name didn't go far enough.

401

00:24:39,036 --> 00:24:43,056

It still didn't account for the emerging

research suggesting that there may be

402

00:24:43,056 --> 00:24:44,536

a male expression of the condition.

403

00:24:44,836 --> 00:24:50,086

And changing the acronym from PCOS

to PMOS requires a significant global

404

00:24:50,116 --> 00:24:54,900

education and awareness effort, and the

PCOS acronym had decades of recognition

405

00:24:54,900 --> 00:24:55,980

that will take time to rebuild.

406

00:24:55,980 --> 00:25:04,110

So the male expression of this metabolic

and endocrine condition is one of the,

407

00:25:04,160 --> 00:25:10,050

hold-ups with their not voting for the

PMOS name change and then the length

408

00:25:10,050 --> 00:25:11,390

of time that PCOS has been around.

409

00:25:11,390 --> 00:25:15,770

It'll be challenging to change

the entire global world view

410

00:25:15,770 --> 00:25:17,050

of what this condition is.

411

00:25:17,050 --> 00:25:19,310

But what's that phrase?

412

00:25:19,310 --> 00:25:21,510

The best time to plant a

tree was twenty years ago.

413

00:25:21,550 --> 00:25:22,690

The second-best time is now.

414

00:25:22,690 --> 00:25:27,070

So I think that's where the other

eighty-eight people were is like,

415

00:25:27,270 --> 00:25:28,732

if not now, then when, right?

416

00:25:29,032 --> 00:25:36,102

170 million women, 70% undiagnosed, 14

years of fighting to get the name right.

417

00:25:36,102 --> 00:25:38,972

PMOS is not just a new acronym,

it is a clinical correction

418

00:25:39,272 --> 00:25:40,722

that was overdue by decades.

419

00:25:41,062 --> 00:25:43,882

And now that we have the right

name, we can finally start

420

00:25:43,882 --> 00:25:45,910

having the right conversations

421

00:25:46,210 --> 00:25:49,760

I hope this episode, if you have PCOS

or some of these symptoms, gave you

422

00:25:49,760 --> 00:25:51,720

language for what you're experiencing

423

00:25:52,020 --> 00:25:54,584

PMOS is a complex, multi-system

424

00:25:54,884 --> 00:25:59,658

endocrine and metabolic condition

that has been minimized, misnamed

425

00:25:59,958 --> 00:26:01,468

and misunderstood for decades

426

00:26:01,768 --> 00:26:03,318

You were not too sensitive

427

00:26:03,618 --> 00:26:04,988

You were not imagining it

428

00:26:05,288 --> 00:26:06,128

The name was wrong.

429

00:26:06,408 --> 00:26:07,098

Now it's right.

430

00:26:07,498 --> 00:26:11,018

Now you know, and if you want

to share this episode with other

431

00:26:11,018 --> 00:26:14,018

friends who you might think are

in the same boat as you please do.

432

00:26:14,318 --> 00:26:17,818

I think it's an important terminology

shift, and I think the more people that

433

00:26:17,818 --> 00:26:21,208

understand that, the more women that

understand that, can help change that

434

00:26:21,208 --> 00:26:27,628

statistic of seventy percent undiagnosed

to, nonexistent, where everyone who might

435

00:26:27,668 --> 00:26:32,018

have PMOS and might have these underlying

hormonal and metabolic root causes of

436

00:26:32,018 --> 00:26:35,790

their symptoms can start to get the

treatment that they absolutely deserve

437

00:26:36,090 --> 00:26:37,420

I hope you guys enjoyed this episode.

438

00:26:37,460 --> 00:26:39,880

I hope you learned a lot, and

I'll see you guys again on the

439

00:26:39,880 --> 00:26:41,550

next episode of Wellness Fixes the