Over the past few decades, the term PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) or ‘polycystic ovary condition’ has been used as a key term to describe a common hormonal disorder found in women of reproductive age.
However, nowadays, the medical community has begun to question whether this disease name might be misleading us more than we think.
The Problem with the Term ‘Polycystic Ovary’
The name PCOS leads many people, including patients themselves, to believe that ‘cysts in the ovary’ are the core of the disease.
But in reality, quite a number of patients ‘do not have cysts’ visible on ultrasound at all. At the same time, people who have multiple cysts do not necessarily have this disease.
This clearly reflects that the ‘disease name’ may not truly represent the ‘mechanism of the disease’.
What Patients Have… But the Name PCOS Never Tells!
PCOS is not just about the ovaries but is a condition involving multiple systems in the body, such as
- Abnormalities in sex hormones (high androgens)
- Insulin resistance
- Risk of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and high blood lipids
- Menstrual irregularities and infertility
Or simply put, this is a ‘systemic syndrome’ and not just a disease of the ovaries alone.
From PCOS to ‘PMOS’: A Name Change That Better Reflects the Disease
Due to the limitations of the term PCOS, some scholars have proposed a new concept, such as the term PMOS (Poly-Metabolic Ovary Syndrome), which broadly means ‘metabolic and hormonal disorders affecting the ovaries’.
Although it is not yet an official term used by all organizations, this concept is gaining attention because it helps us shift the focus of the disease more clearly.
Why Changing the Name… Is More Important Than You Think
- Helps reduce patient misunderstandings when having this condition
- Many women worry when they hear the word ‘cysts’ even though the real important issue is hormonal balance and metabolism
- Helps make treatment more targeted when doctors and patients view the disease as a whole
Current treatment does not focus only on the ovaries but also includes lifestyle modification, insulin control, and long-term health care because these are the key to preventing chronic diseases in the future.
Therefore, PCOS is not just about the ovaries but is related to lifestyle and overall health. The good news is that if we start taking care of ourselves today, we can improve the disease’s trajectory.