If you’ve been told you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), you might have heard some news: PCOS is getting a new name. In May 2026, doctors, women with PCOS and researchers officially renamed it PMOS, which stands for polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome. It is a mouthful, so most people will probably keep saying “PCOS” for a while, and that’s completely fine.

Alongside the name change, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the organisation that helps set the standard of care across the NHS, has published a new draft guideline on how PMOS should be diagnosed and managed. It is currently out for consultation, which means it is not final yet, but it gives us a really good idea of what care will look like going forward. Here is what you need to know.

Why the name change?

The old name, polycystic ovary syndrome, was confusing. It focused on the ovaries and made people think they needed “cysts” to be diagnosed, when actually the condition affects hormones and metabolism throughout the whole body, not just the ovaries. The new name reflects that bigger picture. PMOS can affect periods, skin, hair growth, weight, insulin levels, mood, sleep and fertility.

How is PMOS diagnosed?

The new guideline keeps the diagnosis process fairly similar to before. Doctors will usually look for two out of three things: irregular or absent periods, signs of higher androgen levels (such as acne, extra hair growth, or blood test results), and, in some cases, the appearance of the ovaries on an ultrasound scan.

In under 18 year olds, doctors are extra careful about diagnosis because periods and hormones are still settling down during the teenage years.

What will care look like day to day?

One of the biggest practical changes is a stronger focus on whole-person care, not just periods and fertility. PMOS can affect people very differently, so care should be based on what matters most to you. For one person this may be painful acne or unwanted hair growth. For another, it may be very infrequent periods, fertility worries or weight gain.

The guideline recommends an annual review for everyone diagnosed with PMOS, checking in on symptoms, mood, sleep, weight and long-term health risks such as diabetes and heart disease.

Doctors are also being encouraged to ask permission before discussing sensitive topics like weight, periods, or body image, and to take a kind, age-appropriate approach, especially with younger patients.

What about weight and diet?

The guideline acknowledges there is no one perfect PMOS diet or one perfect exercise plan. Instead, doctors are encouraged to give realistic, tailored advice and to recognise that managing weight with PMOS can be genuinely harder than for other people, so goals should be achievable, sustainable and suitable for your circumstances.

What if I am thinking about fertility?

PMOS can make it harder to conceive, but the guideline is clear that pregnancy is often possible, with or without medical help. If needed, treatments such as letrozole (usually the first choice), metformin, or specialist fertility treatment are available. Weight-loss medicines aren’t used for fertility outside of research studies, and there are wash-out periods before starting fertility treatment if you have been using them.

What should I do right now?

Nothing urgent. This guideline is still in draft form and open for public consultation, so some details could still change before it is finalised. Your care team will keep using current best practice and the overall approach to diagnosis and treatment is not expected to shift dramatically. If you already have a PMOS (or PCOS) diagnosis, your existing care plan still stands.