More than just “ovaries”

Ma. Bernadette R. Panaligan

For the past years, Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), previously known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), has been widely misunderstood as a condition limited to ovarian cysts and irregular menstruation. This framing has long shaped how this condition is often dismissed and stigmatized. In reality, however, PMOS is a far more complex condition involving hormonal imbalance, metabolic dysfunction, fertility struggles, and gut health issues that affect millions of women.

With its recent renaming to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), there is now a clearer attempt to finally reflect what the condition has always been: not just an issue affecting the ovaries, but a systemic one.

Some people may dismiss the renaming as unnecessary semantics. While there is still a long way to go in terms of proper diagnosis and treatment, this change marks an important step forward in recognizing the full complexity of the condition and the lived experiences of the women affected by it.

I was recently diagnosed with PMOS when it was still referred to as PCOS. When I found out, the term “PCOS” itself confused me, especially because my ultrasound showed no ovarian cysts. 

The only intervention I initially received was hormonal pills meant to regulate my irregular periods. While these medications may help manage certain symptoms, they did not address the deeper metabolic and endocrine issues associated with PMOS. I was even told to “just exercise more” when I suddenly gained weight due to my condition. 

PCOS placed overwhelming focus on the ovaries, even though the condition extends far beyond that. It affects hormones, metabolism, insulin regulation, inflammation, and the possibility of mental health issues. Women with PMOS are at high risk of developing health problems, including Type 2 Diabetes, insulin resistance, and obesity.

PMOS is not something that can simply be treated through birth control pills alone. Managing it often requires long-term lifestyle adjustments, proper nutritional guidance, metabolic monitoring, and proper support. And yet, many women, like me, are left to navigate these complexities on our own.

This reflects a much deeper problem in healthcare and society itself.

The World Health Organization estimates that PMOS affects around 10 to 13 percent of reproductive-aged women worldwide, though 70 percent of affected women may go undiagnosed globally due to a lack of awareness and inconsistent diagnostic criteria. In the Philippines, around 4.5 million Filipino women are living with PMOS.

For women living with this condition, the experience is emotionally exhausting. It brings physical changes that affect self-esteem and anxiety, including persistent acne, hair loss, excessive hair growth, difficulty losing weight, chronic fatigue, and fertility issues. This affects not just personal confidence, but also relationships and daily functions. 

Historically, women’s struggles with PMOS have been normalized to the point that fatigue has been equated to laziness, and mood swings have been associated with being overly dramatic. Weight gain has often been dismissed as a lack of exercise and proper diet. 

And despite all of these, women with PMOS are met with dismissive advice and stigmatizing attitudes rather than care and support. 

This is why the shift from PCOS to PMOS matters. It broadens public understanding of the condition and forces society to recognize that PMOS affects not just the ovaries, but the entire body. 

A new name alone will not solve years of medical dismissal, but it can become a starting point toward more informed conversations. Beyond this name shift lies a more important issue. Healthcare remains expensive, consultations remain inaccessible, and many women continue to struggle in receiving early diagnosis and proper treatment.

In the Philippines, specialized reproductive healthcare remains inaccessible. Many women still struggle to obtain early diagnosis, affordable medication, and long-term treatment support. 

Ultimately, PMOS is more than just a change in medical terminology. It reflects a shift towards a more comprehensive understanding of a condition that has long been reduced to ovaries alone. Acknowledging the metabolic, hormonal, and endocrine side of PMOS is an important step forward, but awareness alone is not enough without improvements in healthcare access and long-term treatment support.

The renaming of PCOS to PMOS is a meaningful step forward, but it should not be treated as the end goal. The real test is whether it translates into practice through better treatment approaches, stronger support systems, and more accessible and affordable healthcare for women living with PMOS.