Re: “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Management” (MJCMP, Volume 28, Issue 2, April 2026)
Dear Editor,
I am writing regarding my review titled “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Management”, published in the April 2026 issue of the Myanmar Journal of Current Medical Practice.
A few months after publication of this article, an international multidisciplinary consensus published in The Lancet1 has recommended renaming polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). This recommendation followed an extensive global consensus process involving international experts, healthcare professionals, scientific societies but most importantly, women living with the condition. Patient perspectives were incorporated through international surveys evaluating preferences for a new name, ensuring that the selected terminology reflected both scientific accuracy and the lived experience of affected individuals.
The consensus concluded that the term PCOS no longer adequately represents the disorder. The condition in fact extends far beyond the ovaries and is characterised by complex endocrine, metabolic and reproductive dysfunction with important cardiometabolic and psychological consequences. Furthermore, many affected women do not have polycystic ovaries while polycystic ovarian morphology may also occur in women without the syndrome. The previous name, PCOS, was therefore considered biologically inaccurate and potentially misleading.
Although the terminology used in the published review was appropriate at the time of publication, I would encourage readers to use the new name, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), in future clinical practice, education and research while recognising that historical literature and existing clinical guidelines may continue to use the term PCOS during the transition period.
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the journal.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Sandhi Wynn Nyunt
MBBS, MPH, MRCP (UK), PhD candidate (Imperial College London).
Clinical Research Fellow at Imperial College London.
Speciality Registrar in Endocrinology and Diabetes, Imperial College Healthcare NHS trust, London, UK
Reference
- Teede HJ, Bahri Khomami M, Morman R, Laven JSE, Joham AE, Costello MF, et al. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. Lancet. 2026;408:104037. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00717-8.
