PMOS (Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome)

What is PMOS?

PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome) used to be called PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). Health professionals around the world agreed to change the name to better capture the condition and its symptoms. The names PMOS and PCOS are referring to the same condition.

PMOS is a common condition that can happen to women at any age after puberty. It impacts about 1 in 8 women around the world.

PMOS can have several symptoms, and not every person with PMOS will have the same symptoms. Some of the possible symptoms include:

  • Irregular periods.
    • This means that the number of days in between your periods changes from month to month. You might skip periods, have periods that are really far apart, or periods that are close together.
  • Too much hair on the face, chin, or other parts of the body, which is called hirsutism.
  • Thinning hair or hair loss on the scalp.
  • Acne.
  • Weight gain or difficulty losing weight.
  • Darkening of skin, especially along neck creases, in the groin, and underneath breasts.
  • Skin tags, which are small pieces of extra skin, usually on the neck or armpits.

PMOS could also have some symptoms that you can’t see or feel without testing from a medical provider. These include:

  • Fluid-filled sacs on or in the ovaries, called cysts. These can only be seen through ultrasound.
  • Higher than normal levels of male hormones, like testosterone. This can only be found from a blood test.

What causes PMOS?

The exact cause of PMOS is currently not known. Several things, including genetics, can play a role.

What should I do if I think I have PMOS?

If you  think you may have PMOS, talk to a health care provider. They can talk to you about your symptoms and may do a physical exam, ultrasound, blood test, or other tests.

How is PMOS treated?

There is no cure for PMOS right now, but you can take steps to help manage the symptoms. Talk to your health care provider to create a plan that’s specific to you. They may recommend changes to your lifestyle or that you take certain medicine.

PMOS is linked with other health problems, including:

Managing some of the symptoms of PMOS can help lower the risk of these conditions.

PMOS and mental health

PMOS causes changes in your hormones, which can make it more likely for you to struggle with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

Simply dealing with PMOS every day can also take an emotional toll. Navigating symptoms, treatments, and a lack of understanding about the condition can cause emotional exhaustion, loneliness, and burnout. 

There’s help available. Don’t hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional if you need it. Medication, therapy, and other treatments can often help. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

Learn more about mental health conditions and find resources that can help.

PMOS and pregnancy

Even though PMOS is a common cause of infertility, everyone is different and there are several options that can help your chances of getting pregnant. Talk to your health care provider about what options may help you.

If you have PMOS and don’t want to get pregnant right now, don’t forget about birth control. Even though PMOS is a common cause of infertility, unexpected pregnancies can still happen. Learn more about your options for birth control methods. Remember to also protect yourself against sexually transmitted infections.