How renaming PCOS to PMOS could improve care for millions of women

There is a new name and understanding of a health condition affecting many women. Roughly 10% to 13% of women around the world are affected by a hormonal condition formerly known as PCOS. It's now called PMOS, or polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome. Stephanie Sy reports on how the changes could improve diagnosis and care.Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors.

Geoff Bennett:

Now new understanding of a health condition affecting millions of women.An estimated one in 10 women worldwide live with a hormonal disorder long known as PCOS. That's polycystic ovary syndrome. But the condition is getting a new name.And as Stephanie Sy reports, the change is about far more than terminology. Supporters say it could lead to better diagnosis, treatment and care.

Stephanie Sy:

That's right. PMOS is the new name for the hormonal condition associated with a wide range of symptoms, from irregular periods to excess hair growth and acne, pelvic pain, and even anxiety and depression.The change was announced in "The Lancet" by an international collaboration of physicians, specialists, and women living with the disorder. Researchers say this new name is more accurate and it's hoped it will lead to better diagnoses and medical care.Dr. Melanie Cree is a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz and a doctor at Children's Hospital Colorado, who was a key lead in the name change, and she joins me now.Dr. Cree, thank you so much for joining the "News Hour."You know, it's interesting. The new name doesn't even mention the word cyst. Does this change reflect a new understanding of the disorder or was polycystic ovary syndrome always a misnomer?