PMOS.life

Great question! Do we say the letters or make it sound like a word?

Is it alphabet soup? Or an acronym?

Following yesterday’s announcement about the transition from Polycystic O***y Syndrome (PCOS) to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), I wanted to address one concern that I suspect some women may be quietly wondering about:

“Does removing the word ‘cyst’ from the name mean that ovarian cysts and ovarian pain are no longer considered important?”

Absolutely not.

Removing the word “cyst” from the title of the condition does NOT diminish the very real experiences many women have with polycystic ovaries, ovulatory dysfunction, pelvic discomfort, or painful functional ovarian cysts.

Those experiences are valid. They matter. And they remain an important part of many women’s clinical picture.

The updated terminology does not change the diagnostic criteria for PMOS, nor does it downplay the frustration and pain some women experience related to ovarian cysts and ovulation.

The issue was never that cysts are unimportant. The issue was that the old terminology unintentionally created confusion about what kind of “cysts” were being discussed.

The “polycystic” appearance described in the original condition refers to multiple small arrested follicles around the edge of the o***y. Those are different from classic functional ovarian cysts — the larger fluid-filled cysts that can occur in women both with and without PMOS and can sometimes be quite painful.

Some women with PMOS have polycystic ovaries. Some do not. Some women without PMOS also have polycystic ovaries. And functional ovarian cysts can occur regardless of whether someone has PMOS.

A helpful comparison is hirsutism. Excess facial or body hair has never appeared in the name of the condition, yet it remains a very real and significant symptom for many women with PMOS. The same principle applies here: a symptom does not need to appear in the title of a condition in order to be important, painful, frustrating, or deserving of treatment and support.

The new terminology is intended to better reflect the broader endocrine and metabolic nature of the condition itself — while still fully acknowledging the ovarian symptoms and challenges many women experience.

As always, our goal remains the same: helping women better understand their physiology, reduce symptoms, improve metabolic health, support ovulation, and feel more in control of their health and bodies.

Have you heard the news? PCOS is now PMOS. But there's way more to it than that!

PCOS Resources - MCHRI Access a range of resources that are available for women with PCOS.

Happy Friday!

I have good news and I have bad news.

The good news is that PCOSynergy TTC has been 100% successful so far, with babies on the way!

The bad news is that PCOSynergy TTC is in a waitlist-only status at this time. Our next cohort will start May 2026 and there are 2 people on the waitlist so far (they are automatically confirmed for June if they can't clear the waitlist in May).

Regardless of this status, you can still book a PCOSynergy Clarity session to better understand the program and to see if it might be right for you at a future start date. Book here: https://pcosynergy.com/

-Christine Updegraff

PCOS Programs & Coaching | PCOSynergy by Bellwether Wellness Expert PCOS programs for teens, women TTC, and lifelong health. PCOSynergy offers Discovery & TTC support backed by 25+ years’ experience.

Great event!

Research is just starting to come in on this topic. we have much to learn, but many reasons to be hopeful.

Posting from the ASRM Congress: Here is poster #110 presented by Tina Yi Jin Hsieh from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center highlighting her research on GLP-1 receptor agonist trends in PCOS. We are looking forward to more results and analysis of outcomes.

(ASRM = American Associarion of Reproductive Medicine)

Christine Updegraff was a panelist in today’s patient advocacy session, representing the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association, Inc.. it’s important for the patient community to provide input to the PCOS research community. If you could ask PCOS researchers for one thing right now, what would it be?

Patient advocacy and support groups - session chaired by Kathy Hoeger

🎤 Research priorities in regarding infertility and pregnancy

Who will be attending the PCOS Awareness in Symposium in San Antonio this coming Saturday? Stop by my booth for some 1:1 time!

REGISTER NOW: pcos.ch/register-2025

Join us on Saturday, October 25th, for PCOS Awareness Symposium 2025 - San Antonio, presented by PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic O***y Syndrome Association, in partnership with the Androgen Excess & Polycystic O***y Syndrome Society, the leading group of researchers advancing understanding of PCOS.

FIND ANSWERS
Learn from world-leading PCOS researchers, clinicians and patient advocates.

Sessions will cover key aspects of PCOS care, including patient perspectives and lived experiences; the latest evidence-based approaches for PCOS diagnosis, treatment and management; improving fertility, mental health support, lifestyle management, and emerging developments in research and treatment options.

Special Thanks to Our Premier Sponsors
May Healthhealth

Ovasitol by

The first meeting of the Androgen Excess Society was 23 years ago. I was there. And now it’s called the Androgen Excess & PCOS Society. And here I am. 23 years of scientists from around the world talking about PCOS research. Stay tuned for insights from the meeting.