What is PMOS?
Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) is the new name for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). It is a common condition that affects about 1 in 8 women. It can happen any time after puberty.
What causes PMOS?
The exact cause of PMOS is unknown. PMOS can be caused by a hormone imbalance that affects the ovaries, small organs that store women’s eggs. It can also cause irregular periods and other changes throughout the body.
What are the complications of PMOS?
Ovary imbalance is a key feature of PMOS. This can lead to infertility and women with PMOS can have different pregnancy outcomes. Infertility means that your body has trouble getting and staying pregnant. Women with PMOS are at risk of getting diabetes while pregnant and sometimes miscarriage. Women with PMOS have a higher risk of depressive symptoms, depression and anxiety. This can lead to body image issues, disordered eating and low self-esteem.
Who is at risk?
You may be more likely to get PMOS if:
- A family member has PMOS
- You are overweight or have obesity
- You have insulin resistance
What are the symptoms of PMOS?
PMOS can have several symptoms. Not every person with PMOS will have the same symptoms. These symptoms include:
- Missed periods, irregular periods or very light periods
- Extra body hair, including on the chin, chest, stomach, and back
- Hair thinning or hair loss on the top of the head
- Excess acne
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Darkening of skin, especially along the neck creases, on the groin, or underneath breasts
- Small pieces of extra skin on the neck or armpits (skin tags)
How is PMOS diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, review your health history, and do a physical exam. They may also order blood tests to check hormone and blood sugar levels or an ultrasound to look at your ovaries.
How is PMOS treated?
There is no cure, but treatment can help manage symptoms. Healthy eating, regular exercise, and weight loss can improve symptoms. In women with PMOS, losing weight by at least 5% of total body weight has been shown to have health and reproductive benefits. Regular moderate intensity exercise, at least 150 minutes per week, can help lose weight along with having a healthy diet that has:
- Fruits/vegetables
- Whole grains
- Protein: fish and poultry
- Fiber
Your doctor may also recommend birth control pills, diabetes medicine to improve insulin resistance, or other medicines to treat acne or unwanted hair growth.
- Diabetes medicine: Metformin plus lifestyle changes, could be helpful in women with PMOS for the treatment of hormonal and metabolic outcomes.
- Birth control pills: Combined oral contraceptive pills are recommended in women with PMOS to balance your hormone levels and fix irregular period cycles.
- Antiandrogens: Medicines like finasteride and spironolactone can be used to treat unwanted hair growth or acne. These medicines can take at least 6-12 months to work so it is important to keep taking these medications even if you are not seeing results right away.
Think you might have PMOS?
Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms or concerns. Early diagnosis and treatment can help you manage PMOS and improve your quality of life.
Written by:
Christina Dinovi
PharmD Candidate 2027
Saint Joseph’s University/PCP
References
Teede HJ, Misso ML, Costello MF, Dokras A, Laven J, Moran L, Piltonen T, Norman RJ, on behalf of the International PCOS Network. International evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Melbourne (AU): Monash University; 2018. Available from: https://www.monash.edu/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/1412644/PCOS_Evidence-Based-Guidelines_20181009.pdf
Johns Hopkins Medicine. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) [Internet]. Baltimore (MD): Johns Hopkins Medicine; [cited 2026 Jul 22]. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos
Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Maternal and Infant Health Program. PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome) [Internet]. Salt Lake City (UT): Utah Department of Health and Human Services; [cited 2026 Jul 22]. Available from: https://mihp.utah.gov/pmos