Intermountain Health Shares Awareness and Tips About Polymetabolic Ovary Syndrome or PMOS

A hormonal disorder that has been called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects one in eight women in the U.S. But a 2026 study published in June and worldwide efforts to change the name to more accurately reflect the nature of the condition, has gained traction.

The consensus is a new, more accurate name called Polymetabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), and it is endorsed by 56 academic medical societies and patient advocacy groups around the world.

“The old name placed emphasis on the ovaries, but we know that the condition affects other body systems and organs,” said Dr. Lauren Wells, an OB-GYN with Intermountain Health based in the Park City, Utah area.

“With the new name, there’s more of an emphasis on the metabolic aspects of the condition, so that will open this up to not just gynecologists or reproductive medicine providers diagnosing this, but endocrinologists and internal medicine providers as well,” she added.

According to women’s health experts, the most common symptoms of PMOS are irregular periods and infrequent menstrual cycles. The menstrual cycle is the fifth vital sign, so if your cycle is regular, you probably don’t have PMOS.

“PMOS is a chronic metabolic condition and may come with health risks related to weight gain or difficulty losing weight. It can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, infertility issues, uterine and endometrial cancer. Women with PMOS are also at risk for depression and sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea,” said Dr. Wells.

According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Endocrine Society, people with PMOS may have insulin resistance which is when the body’s cells do not respond to the effects of insulin, and then the level of glucose in the blood increases. This may cause more insulin to be produced as the body tries to move glucose into cells. Insulin resistance can lead to diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

“Because PMOS is a metabolic condition, GLP-1 medications can be especially helpful or other medications or supplements such as Vitamin D and myoinositol that help the body manage insulin. Birth control can also help regulate the menstrual cycle,” said Dr. Wells.

About 70-80 percent of women with PMOS may have signs of hyperandrogenism. Androgens are essentially testosterone. Both men and women have testosterone, but women with PMOS have a higher amount of testosterone, which can cause acne, weight gain, hair loss on the head, hair on the chin, chest or face, all of which can be troubling to women.

According to Dr. Wells, if you have what’s called ‘ring of pearl ovaries,’ you may have hormones that are imbalanced. When higher than normal levels of androgens are produced, the ovaries may be prevented from releasing an egg (or ovulating) each month. And that can make it harder to get pregnant.

“I find the endocrine system fascinating. The brain, ovaries, liver, and pancreas are all interconnected pathways and that relates to fertility, and has long-term implications,” said Dr. Wells.

Lifestyle changes that can help with PMOS include

1. - Limit processed foods and sugars
   - Add more whole grains
   - Eat more fruits, vegetables, and plant-based proteins (soy, lentils, nuts, quinoa, beans)
   - Maintain a healthy weight
   - Get your body moving and exercising

2. If you think you may have PMOS reach out to your women’s health or primary care provider as a good starting point. They can refer you to an endocrinologist or internal medicine provider experienced with this condition.