STONEY BROOK, NY – A condition affecting millions of women in the United States is getting a new name — and experts say the change could mean faster diagnoses and longer lives.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, known as PCOS, is now being called Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, or PMOS, following a collaboration backed by more than 50 organizations. The name change is the result of a 14-year global effort involving both experts and patients.
Jaritsa Dominguez knows firsthand how much a diagnosis can shape a life. She was just 15 years old when doctors told her she might never be able to have children.
“That was very hard for me because I love children,” Dominguez said.
She was diagnosed with PCOS at 15 and spent years managing symptoms including mood swings, missed periods, facial hair growth, acne, weight problems, and fertility challenges.
More Than a ‘Lady Problem’
Dominguez eventually began treatment at the Stony Brook Medicine PCOS Center under Dr. Fatima Daoud Yilmaz, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Yilmaz says the old name failed patients by framing the condition too narrowly.
“This is much more than simply a gynecologic condition,” Dr. Yilmaz said. “This is a condition of the entire endocrine and metabolic system as well. So we see increased risks of prediabetes, diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, sleep apnea, heart disease much earlier compared to the rest of the population.”
The new name — PMOS — is designed to reflect that broader reality.
“It more accurately reflects the nature of the condition rather than simply making it seem like it’s just another lady problem,” Dr. Yilmaz said. “What I’m hoping is that this leads to not just a decrease in delayed diagnosis, but ultimately prolonged life expectancies for these patients.”
A Dream That Came True
For Dominguez, the right care made all the difference. Doctors told her that weight loss combined with medication could help treat her condition. She lost more than 75 pounds through surgery, and six months later became pregnant with her daughter, Mikala, now two years old.
“It’s the world. I’m loving each and every moment of it,” Dominguez said. “It was a dream that came true, especially after being told that you wouldn’t be able to.”
She hopes her story encourages more women to seek the care they need.