PCOS is becoming PCOS 2.0: why this name change matters

The term "polycystic ovary syndrome" dates from the mid-twentieth century. It described what doctors observed on ultrasound: multiple small structures on the ovaries, which they called "cysts". However, these structures are not pathological cysts: they are follicles — small sacs containing eggs — that have not completed their maturation [2]. A name based on an observation that turned out to be misleading.

This misunderstanding had very real consequences for decades.

First, it confined the condition to a purely gynaecological framework. Many women, and healthcare professionals, believed it was an isolated ovarian problem, to be addressed primarily from a fertility angle. Yet the PCOS is a syndrome that affects the whole body: hormones, metabolism, skin, weight, cardiovascular health, and mental health [1][3].

Furthermore, this name contributed to diagnostic delays significant. According to the WHO, up to 70% of affected women may not be diagnosed [4]. When a woman consults about acne, unexplained weight gain, or fatigue, the link to "polycystic ovary syndrome" is not always made, precisely because the name draws attention to the ovaries rather than to the overall clinical picture.

Finally, the word "polycystic" generated stigmatisation unnecessary. It evokes a serious pathology, cysts to be removed, or even a structural abnormality of the ovaries. Yet it is entirely possible to have PCOS without presenting multiple follicles on ultrasound, and conversely, to have so-called "polycystic" ovaries without suffering from the syndrome.

This name change is not a decision taken lightly. It is the result of an international consensus process of 14 years, involving 56 scientific, clinical and patient organisations, with the participation of more than 22,000 people across six continents [1].

This work was led by Professor Helena Teede, endocrinologist and director of the Health Research Centre at Monash University (Australia), in collaboration with the AE-PCOS Society, the international learned society of reference on the subject [5]. The results were published on 12 May 2026 in The Lancet, one of the most prestigious medical journals in the world, and presented at the European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague [1].

The process followed rigorous principles: scientific accuracy, clarity, absence of stigmatisation, cultural appropriateness and feasibility of implementation. International surveys gathered the views of more than 14,300 patients and healthcare professionals. The result: 86% of patients and 71% of clinicians were in favour of the change, primarily due to the confusion and stigmatisation caused by the former name [3].

Each word of the new name was chosen to reflect the scientific reality of the condition [1][3].

Syndrome: this is not a single condition but a cluster of symptoms and dysregulations that interact with one another. Each woman may present a different clinical picture.

Metabolic: this is probably the most significant addition. Insulin resistance is present in approximately 85% of women affected, including 75% of women with a "normal" weight [6]. This metabolic dysregulation increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Until now, this dimension was often given secondary consideration in care management.

Ovarian: the ovaries remain implicated in the syndrome, particularly through ovulation disorders and infertility. The word is retained so as not to lose this reproductive dimension, which remains essential for many women.

Polyendocrine: the syndrome involves multiple hormonal systems, not only ovarian hormones. Hyperandrogenism (excess androgens), neuroendocrine abnormalities (dysregulation of LH and GnRH at brain level), and hyperinsulinaemia interact in a vicious cycle that affects the whole body [6].

In summary, MOPCS finally places the real mechanisms of the condition at the heart of its name, rather than an ultrasound observation that is merely one of its consequences among many.

Your diagnosis remains valid

If you have already been diagnosed with PCOS, your diagnosis does not change. PCOM refers to exactly the same condition. Your test results, follow-up care and treatments remain valid. You do not need to consult again to obtain a "new diagnosis" [1]. Gradually, your medical reports and prescriptions will begin to mention the new term.

The diagnostic criteria remain the same

The Rotterdam criteria, used since 2003 to establish the diagnosis, are not modified by this change of name. At least two of the following three criteria must still be met [2]:

• ovulatory disorders (irregular, long or absent cycles);
• clinical hyperandrogenism (acne, hirsutism, hair loss) or biological hyperandrogenism (elevated androgen levels);
• multifollicular ovaries on ultrasound.

What should evolve is the overall management of care

The most important change is a change in medical perspective. With PCOM, care should no longer be limited to cycles or fertility. The metabolic and cardiovascular dimension of the syndrome is now recognised from the very name of the condition [3][5].

In practice, this means that healthcare professionals should incorporate more systematically:

• screening for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes;
• monitoring of blood pressure and lipid profile;
• assessment of mental health (anxiety, depression, body image issues);
• follow-up care beyond the reproductive years.

This is a significant step forward: too many women diagnosed with PCOS had never benefited from a full metabolic assessment, simply because the condition had been reduced to an "ovarian problem".

Better recognition, less stigmatisation

Explaining that one has a "polycystic ovary metabolic syndrome" immediately gives a more accurate picture of the complexity of the condition. It is a communication tool, both for patients and healthcare professionals. The word "polycystic", which evoked threatening cysts or a structural abnormality, disappears in favour of descriptive and medically precise terminology [1][5].

The rollout is planned over three years, with a progressive update of clinical recommendations used in 195 countries, medical training manuals, and international disease classification systems [3]. Eight implementation steps have been defined in the Lancet publication, including updating educational materials, co-designing resources with patients, and awareness campaigns [1].

In France, Inserm still uses the term PCOS in its documentation [2], but updates are expected to follow over the coming months. In the meantime, both terms will coexist.

It would be dishonest to present this name change as a solution to all the problems. PCOS remains a complex, multifactorial syndrome for which there is no single treatment. A new name does not cure anyone.

Some voices in the scientific community regret that the word "ovarian" has been retained, arguing that it perpetuates a gynaecological bias in the perception of the condition [7]. Others highlight that the real challenge remains the funding of research and access to quality multidisciplinary care.

But the majority of experts and patient associations agree on one point: naming a condition correctly is the first step towards better understanding it, better diagnosing it, and better treating it.

The shift from PCOS to MPOS marks the end of a misleading name that contributed to decades of diagnostic uncertainty, incomplete management, and stigma. The new name finally reflects what science has established for years: the syndrome involves the whole body — hormones, metabolism, ovaries, and much more.

If you are affected by this syndrome, this name change is good news. Not because it will transform your daily life overnight, but because it lays the foundations for better recognition and more comprehensive care.

And if you'd like to learn more about MPOS and you're on a conception journey, our article PCOS and pregnancy provides an overview of fertility and pregnancy monitoring.