Explaining Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)

As many as 5 million women are living with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) in the United States alone. The hormonal disorder has gained national attention by famous women who talk about it openly, including Keke Palmer, Victoria Beckham, and Lea Michele.

Formerly referred to as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a May 2026 announcement published in The Lancet broadens the symptoms and criteria that point to a PMOS diagnosis. According to The Endocrine Society, "the name reduced a complex, long-term hormonal or endocrine disorder to a misunderstanding about ‘cysts’ and a focus on ovaries. This contributed to missed diagnoses and inadequate treatment."

To explain how women are diagnosed with PMOS, how they can be treated for it, and how it might affect pregnancy, we turned to Laurel Garber, DO, for her expertise.

What is PMOS?

Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) is a condition caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones.

When the balance of hormones from the ovaries is off, eggs may develop abnormally or be released abnormally – causing the ovaries to appear cystic on ultrasounds at times. This can cause women with PMOS to have irregular periods. As a result, some women with PMOS may have trouble becoming pregnant.

The good news is that there are methods of treatment that can increase a woman’s likelihood of pregnancy.

An exact cause of the hormonal imbalance remains unknown. Researchers believe several factors might influence PMOS, including:

• genetics
  • women with a mother, sister, or aunt with PMOS have an increased risk
• increased levels of androgens
• insulin resistance

Risks and symptoms of PMOS

Women of all races and ethnicities are affected by PMOS. The disorder can also affect women at any age – starting after puberty.

There are several signs that point to the possibility of a woman having PMOS. According to the CDC, women should have a conversation with their OBGYN provider if they have experienced at least two of the following symptoms:

• Irregular periods
• Excess facial or chest hair
• Excess acne on the chest, face, or upper back
• Thinning scalp hair
• Weight gain
• Skin darkening, especially along neck creases, in the groin, and under the breasts
• Skin tags

According to the Office on Women’s Health, PMOS causes a higher risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and C-section.

Diagnosis and treatment of PMOS

Before diagnosing a woman with PMOS, providers will obtain her medical history, perform a physical exam, and might move ahead with further testing such as a pelvic ultrasound or blood tests.

“There is no single test that confirms a woman has PMOS, which means providers will look at the symptoms a woman is exhibiting, her test results, and rule out other potential causes in order to confirm the diagnosis,” Dr. Garber said.

After a PMOS diagnosis, the focus moves toward symptom management. For some patients, keeping their body at a healthy weight helps to relieve some symptoms.

For excess hair, hair removal products may be recommended, along with dermatology services such as laser hair removal or electrolysis.

Patients can talk with their provider about medicines that might help with regulating hormone levels, such as androgen, insulin, and those involved with ovulation.

Women with PMOS who want to get pregnant might need to consult with a fertility specialist about their plans. Opportunities to increase a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant range from medications to IVF to surgery. Consulting their primary care provider and OBGYN can give patients a better idea of what might work specifically for them.