PCOS/PMOS: What Patients Should Know About This Common Condition

PCOS Awareness Month is an opportunity to better understand a condition that can affect much more than menstrual cycles. In May 2026, polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, was renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) to better reflect its effects on hormones, metabolism, reproductive health and the ovaries.

You may still hear both PCOS and PMOS while patients and healthcare organizations adjust to the new terminology.

One reason PCOS/PMOS can be difficult to recognize is that symptoms are not the same for everyone. Some people experience irregular or missed periods, acne, increased facial or body hair, thinning scalp hair or difficulty becoming pregnant. Others may have concerns related to weight, insulin resistance or other metabolic changes.

It is also important to know that you do not need to have ovarian “cysts” to have PCOS/PMOS. Providers consider a combination of ovulation patterns, signs of increased androgen activity and ovarian findings when evaluating the condition. A diagnosis typically requires at least two of these features after other possible causes have been considered.

Even people with regular periods may have PCOS/PMOS. If you are experiencing persistent acne, unwanted hair growth, hair thinning, fertility concerns or other hormonal symptoms, those changes are worth discussing with your OB-GYN.

For additional context on how PCOS can affect your health, the main Together Women’s Health article explains the condition’s reproductive, hormonal and metabolic components in greater detail.

PCOS/PMOS does not automatically mean infertility. It can interfere with regular ovulation, but many people with the condition become pregnant, either without fertility treatment or with additional support.

Treatment is also highly individual. Depending on your symptoms and goals, care may include lifestyle support, hormonal medications, treatment for metabolic concerns, fertility treatment or a combination of approaches.

At Somerset Gynecology & Obstetrics, we help patients in Troy understand their symptoms and discuss care options that fit their individual needs and goals.