PMOS (formerly PCOS)
Could Your Symptoms Be Related to PMOS?
Irregular periods, stubborn weight changes, acne and unwanted hair growth may seem unrelated. Together, they can be signs of a hormonal and metabolic condition formerly known as PCOS.
PMOS Is About More Than Your Ovaries
Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS, is the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome, commonly called PCOS. The name changed because this condition affects far more than the ovaries, and you do not need to have ovarian cysts to have it.
PMOS can affect menstrual cycles, ovulation, insulin sensitivity, weight, skin, hair and emotional health. Symptoms often begin during the reproductive years, but the effects can continue well beyond them. Many women spend years trying to manage each symptom separately without realizing they may be connected.
PMOS Can Look Different From One Woman to the Next
Do any of these sound familiar?
Irregular or Missed Periods
Your periods may come infrequently, be difficult to predict or stop for months at a time.
Acne or Oily Skin
Hormonal changes may cause persistent acne, sometimes well beyond the teenage years.
You may notice increased shedding or thinning near the crown or hairline.
Thinning Hair
You may gain weight easily or have trouble losing it despite changes to your diet and activity.
Weight Changes
Higher androgen levels can lead to coarse hair growth on the face, chin, chest or abdomen.
Unwanted Facial or Body Hair
PMOS can interfere with regular ovulation, making it harder to conceive.
Difficulty Becoming Pregnant
PMOS is also associated with a higher likelihood of anxiety, depression and concerns about body image.
Anxiety or Depression
Some women develop darker, thicker patches of skin or skin tags, often around the neck, groin or under the breasts.
Darkened Skin or Skin Tags
Symptoms vary, and having only one of these does not mean you have PMOS. A proper evaluation can help determine whether your symptoms are connected.
A NEW NAME FOR PCOS
Why Is PCOS Now Called PMOS?
PCOS was always a confusing name. The “cysts” associated with it are usually small, immature ovarian follicles rather than true ovarian cysts. Some women with the condition do not have them at all.
The new name, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, better reflects how the condition can affect hormones, metabolism and reproductive health. Medical records and online information may continue using PCOS during the transition, so you will see both names for some time.
GETTING CLEAR ANSWERS
How Is PMOS Diagnosed?
There is no single test that confirms PMOS. Your provider will ask about your menstrual cycles, symptoms, health history and medications. The evaluation may also include laboratory testing and, in some cases, pelvic imaging.
YOUR FIRST VISIT
We Start With What You Have Been Experiencing
Your consultation begins with a conversation about your periods, skin and hair changes, weight history, medications, previous treatment and any plans you may have for pregnancy.
We may recommend testing to look at hormone levels, blood sugar, cholesterol and other possible causes of your symptoms. If you already have a PMOS or PCOS diagnosis, we can review your current treatment and recent laboratory results as part of a second opinion.
The goal is to understand what is happening now and what deserves attention over time.
LOOKING BEYOND TODAY’S SYMPTOMS
Why Ongoing Care Matters
PMOS can affect more than periods, skin or weight. It is associated with a higher risk of infertility, endometrial cancer, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors.
Going long stretches without a period can also allow the uterine lining to become too thick. Managing your cycles and monitoring your metabolic health are important even when pregnancy is not a concern.
This does not mean every woman with PMOS will develop these conditions. It means your care should include a plan for long-term health, not only treatment of the symptom bothering you most today.
CARE THAT SEES THE WHOLE PICTURE
Your Symptoms Should Not Be Treated as Separate Problems
PMOS does not look the same in every woman. One woman may be most concerned about irregular periods, while another is struggling with weight changes, acne or thinning hair. Some women discover the condition only after having difficulty becoming pregnant.
At ICONA, we take time to understand how the symptoms fit together and how they are affecting your daily life. Then we help you decide which concerns to address first and what kind of follow-up makes sense.
Thoughtful Hormone Care for Women
ICONA Health provides evidence-based care for women experiencing hormonal changes throughout their lives. Our providers look at symptoms, medical history and laboratory results together rather than relying on a single number.
If you choose to begin ongoing treatment at ICONA, care continues through a monthly membership so your provider can monitor your progress, review lab work and adjust your plan as your needs change.
Questions About PMOS
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PMOS stands for polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome. It is the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. The new name better reflects the hormonal and metabolic nature of the condition.
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Yes. PMOS is the new name for the condition previously called PCOS. You may continue to see both terms used during the transition.
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No. The ovarian changes associated with PMOS are usually immature follicles, not true cysts, and they are not present in every woman with the condition.
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Yes. PMOS can occur at any body size. Weight alone cannot confirm or rule out the condition.
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PMOS is one possible cause, but thyroid disorders, elevated prolactin, perimenopause, pregnancy and other conditions can also affect your cycle. Diagnosis requires a review of your symptoms and medical history, and often laboratory testing.
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Many women with PMOS have some degree of insulin resistance, although it may not appear on routine blood sugar testing. Your provider may evaluate your glucose levels and other metabolic risk factors based on your history.
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It can. Insulin resistance, appetite changes and other hormonal factors may make weight management more difficult. That does not mean weight gain is your fault or that weight loss is the only goal of treatment.
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Yes. PMOS can cause irregular ovulation, which may make becoming pregnant more difficult. Many women with PMOS do become pregnant, either naturally or with treatment. Fertility-specific care may require an OB-GYN or reproductive specialist.
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No. Hormonal birth control does not cure PMOS, but it can make periods more predictable, protect the uterine lining and improve acne or unwanted hair growth for some women.
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The menstrual and fertility-related features change after menopause, but the metabolic concerns associated with PMOS may continue. Blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure and cardiovascular risk should still be monitored.
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Yes. Your consultation can be used to review your diagnosis, symptoms, recent laboratory results and current treatment. You can leave with another perspective even if you do not transfer your ongoing care to ICONA.
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No. The consultation can stand alone if you want an evaluation or second opinion. Membership is required if you decide to begin treatment and ongoing care through ICONA.
You Deserve to Understand What Is Happening
If your periods, weight, skin, hair or energy have changed, you do not need to figure out on your own whether the symptoms are connected.
Start with a consultation. We will listen to what you have been experiencing, look at the full picture and help you understand what comes next.