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Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as PCOS

PMOS (PCOS) is a complex hormonal and metabolic disorder that can impact weight, mental health, skin, and the reproductive system

A model of a female uterus and a stethoscope

Get fast access to private treatment for PMOS (PCOS)

PMOS is a complicated condition because it doesn’t just affect your ovaries. It can impact other aspects of your health including your hormones, metabolism, insulin regulation, skin health, and emotional wellbeing.

At Circle Health Group, you can gain swift access to a network of highly experienced consultants, including those who specialise in female reproductive health and hormonal disorders, to help diagnose, treat and manage your PMOS.

Book online or call today to get fast access to the health care you need, with appointments that around your schedule.

 

What is polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS)?

Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), also known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), is a condition that causes a hormonal imbalance due to your ovaries creating unusually high levels of hormones called androgens. 

Androgens are a group of sex hormones, including testosterone, that primarily help trigger the development of male physical characteristics, such as excess facial hair or sperm development. Everybody has androgens but, generally, men naturally have higher levels. In women, androgens help to fuel reproductive health, maintain sex drive (libido), and support bone, muscle, and brain health.

High levels of androgens in women that aren’t controlled can greatly impact fertility, cause a wide range of symptoms, and lead to long term health implications to other parts of the body.

Why was polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) renamed?

As of 2026, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was renamed by the medical industry to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) as PCOS was felt to be misleading. ‘Polycystic’ led to a common misconception that the condition’s main symptom was ovarian cysts. However, many women with the condition do not actually have abnormal ovarian cysts, and the symptoms of PMOS range far beyond the ovaries. This misunderstanding of the condition due to its name is believed by medical professionals to have contributed to delayed diagnosis, fragmented care, stigma around the condition, and limited research potential. 

The new name also more accurately acknowledges that the condition affects other parts of the body, not just the ovaries. This helps refocus treatment on other conditions that can be caused by PMOS, such as acne, obesity, type 2 diabetes, or high blood pressure (hypertension) and cholesterol.

 

What are the symptoms of PMOS?

There are many symptoms associated with PMOS. The most common signs include the following:

PMOS can also increase your risk of other health conditions, such as:

These conditions have their own set of symptoms to look out for. Discuss any unusual symptoms you notice with a trusted health professional to further investigate your health.

 

What causes PMOS?

The exact cause of PMOS hasn’t yet been determined. It is thought that many different things may play a role in causing PMOS. These include:

Insulin resistance

Having insulin resistance means your body is resistant to the effects of insulin.

Insulin is a hormone created by the pancreas to help control the amount of sugar in your blood. If your body is resistant to the effects of insulin, this means it has to produce extra insulin to compensate.

Having elevated levels of insulin can lead the ovaries to produce too much testosterone, which can interfere with the development of the follicles (sacs in the ovaries where eggs develop) and prevent normal ovulation.

Insulin resistance can also lead to weight gain, which can make PMOS symptoms worse. This is because having excess fat can cause the body to create even more insulin.

Hormone imbalance

An imbalance in certain hormones can be found in women with PMOS. These hormones are often:

  • High levels of testosterone
  • High levels of luteinising hormone (LH)
  • High levels of prolactin
  • Low levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)

The exact cause for these hormonal changes is still not known. It has been suggested that the issue may lie in the ovary itself, in other glands that produce these hormones, or in the part of the brain that controls their production.

Low-grade inflammation

In some patients with PMOS, there are signs of chronic low-grade inflammation. This means that the body is experiencing a persistent, low-level immune response in which inflammatory proteins are released over months or years. This can be caused by several different factors such as a poor diet, excess body fat, physical inactivity, chronic stress, poor sleep, exposure to pollutants or harmful tobacco smoke, or conditions that can cause chronic inflammation.

 

What treatments are available for PMOS? 

There are wide range of treatment options available for those with PMOS. The type of treatment you will have will be given based on your symptoms, medical history, if you have other health conditions, and if you want to get pregnant. 

Lifestyle changes

Making changes to your lifestyle can greatly improve your symptoms and help combat the effects of insulin resistance.

These changes can include implementing a nutritious, healthy diet, a regular exercise schedule, maintaining quality sleep and good sleep hygiene, and managing stress levels.

Medication

There are many available medication options to help keep your PMOS symptoms under control. Medications, such as:

  • Hormonal birth control
  • Insulin-sensitizing medicine, such as metformin
  • Medications to block androgens, such as spironolactone or flutamide
  • Eflornithine cream (for unwanted facial hair)
  • Weight-loss medicine (if you are overweight or obese)
  • Cholesterol lowering medicine, such as statins (if you have high cholesterol levels)

Some of these medications aren’t recommended for those looking to get pregnant. Discuss whether you are trying for a baby with your consultant and they can recommend alternative medication.

Surgery

In certain cases, surgery may be an option, however, this tends to be uncommon.

If you are recommended for surgery, laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) may be considered if you are struggling with fertility issues associated with PMOS that haven’t respond to medication.

This procedure is done under general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will make a small cut in your lower abdomen (stomach) and pass through a long, thin tube microscope called a laparoscope.

This allows the ovaries to be surgically treated using heat or a laser to destroy tissue that is producing androgens. This procedure has been found to help lower levels of testosterone and luteinising hormone (LH) and raise levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

Fertility treatment

If PMOS/PCOS is causing issues with your fertility and ability to conceive, there are many available fertility treatment options that can be recommended to help you. This may include lifestyle changes, medicines, or surgery to help stimulate ovulation.

IVF treatment is also an option that may be recommended if you are eligible. This involves your eggs being collected from your ovaries and fertilised outside the womb (uterus). The fertilised egg or eggs are then placed back into your womb, where it will hopefully establish a pregnancy.

If you are successful in getting pregnant, you will be monitored closely throughout your pregnancy as PMOS patients are at higher risk of complications. 

 

How much is private PMOS treatment?

The cost of your treatment will depend on which type of treatment you are having. You can access private PMOS treatment with us by using private medical insurance or paying for your own treatment. 

PMOS treatment can be covered by your private health insurance, but not always. Speak to your provider directly to see what's covered in your policy. 

If you want to pay for your own treatment, you can either pay in full or take advantage of our flexible payment options, which allow you to spread the cost over a period of up to five years. 

Our self-pay customers benefit from fixed-price packages, meaning you'll know exactly what you're going to pay before you book your treatment. Your initial consultation and early diagnostic tests aren’t included in this package, but the cost of your treatment or surgery, hospital fees, aftercare programme are. There are no hidden costs down the line. 

 

What to expect at your initial consultation

During your initial consultation, your consultant will discuss with you about your symptoms, your medical and family history, any medication your currently taking, and your general health.

Getting a better understanding of your overall health can help consultant determine what the next best steps may be.

They may recommend you have further diagnostic tests, such as blood tests and an ultrasound, to help confirm whether or not you may have the condition. Once a diagnosis has been made, they will also help tailor a treatment plan based on your unique needs.

Depending on your discussion, they may also recommend certain lifestyle changes to help ease symptoms, as this may help reduce your symptoms and overall risk of developing long term health problems.

Our expert consultants are here to listen to your concerns and take your worries seriously. They will be here to support you every step of the way, from initial diagnosis through to managing PMOS/PCOS long term.

 

Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome FAQs 

How is PCOS diagnosed?

Diagnosing PMOS/PCOS can be complicated, as there is no single test to confirm the condition and a number of other conditions can mimic PMOS/PCOS.

Typically, PMOS/PCOS is determined if you meet two of the following criteria:

  • You have irregular periods or absent periods
  • Blood test results showing high levels of androgens, such as testosterone
  • Scan results showing you have polycystic ovaries

Due to this complexity, diagnosis can take time. Specialists will want to get a full picture of your metabolic and reproductive health first before assigning you with a final diagnosis.

How common is PCOS?

PMOS/PCOS is very common. It affects 1 in 8, more than 3.1 million, women and girls in the UK.

At what age does PCOS occur?

If you have signs and symptoms of PMOS/PCOS, they'll usually arise during your late teens or early twenties. However, they can happen at any adult age.

Can you get pregnant with PCOS?

Yes, it is still possible for many PMOS/PCOS patients to get pregnant while experiencing the condition. While PMOS/PCOS can affect fertility and can cause infertility due to irregular or absent ovulation, there are medications that can treat this in many cases.

If PMOS/PCOS treatment is not successful in helping you get pregnant, there are alternative routes you can explore. Discuss your concerns with a healthcare professional and they can help guide you on what the best next steps might be.

Is PCOS a chronic illness?

Yes, PMOS/PCOS is a chronic metabolic condition that persists beyond your reproductive years, into the later stages of your life.

Can PCOS be cured?

Currently, there is no cure for PMOS/PCOS. However, implementing lifestyle changes and receiving medications and fertility treatments can reduce symptoms, improve your fertility, and protect your long term health.

Does PCOS cause weight gain?

Yes, PMOS/PCOS can put you at higher risk of gaining weight and it makes losing weight more difficult to do. 

The condition causes you to gain weight mainly through insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances. These factors cause your body to store excess energy as fat, particularly around your abdomen (stomach), while also slowing your metabolism and boosting your appetite.

Is PCOS genetic?

In some cases, PMOS/PCOS can run in families. If a female relative such as your mother, sister or aunt has PMOS/PCOS, your risk of developing the condition increases.

This factor suggests there may be a genetic link to PMOS, however, the exact gene linked to the condition still needs to be found.

 

Why choose Circle Health Group for PMOS treatment?

When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:

  • Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
  • The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
  • Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
  • Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
  • Private ensuite rooms as standards and delicious healthy meals
  • Transparent, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
  • Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to learn more about treatment for PMOS, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.

 

Clinical sources and further reading

  1. Polycystic ovary syndrome, NHS England
  2. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), Mayo Clinic
  3. Polycystic ovary syndrome, World Health Organization
  4. Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), John Hopkins Medicine
  5. Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), Cleveland Clinic
 
Content reviewed by In-house Team in July 2026. Next review due July 2029.

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