pcos officially renamed to pmos
big news in women's health
PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) has been renamed to PMOS, short for polyendocrine metabolic reproductive syndrome.
PMOS affects one in eight women and often presents on the skin. Skin changes are often driven by androgen (male hormone) excess and insulin resistance.
why is the name change from pcos to pmos important?
For years, the term “polycystic ovarian syndrome” has created confusion and misunderstanding. Most women diagnosed with PCOS do not actually have ovarian cysts. More importantly, “PCOS” overlooks this condition’s deep connection to metabolic health.
PMOS better reflects the complex hormonal and metabolic interplay (with a wide spectrum of presentations) involving insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, irregular ovulation, androgen excess, and increased long-term risks for conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
how does pmos affect the skin?
Skin changes can include:
- Acne: often severe and inflammatory. This tends to be some of the more stubborn acne I see and typically affects the chin and the jawline, areas with higher concentrations of male hormone receptors.
- Hirsutism (excess hair growth): including unwanted and excess chin, lip, and body hair. This hair is usually dark and thick.
- Androgenic alopecia (hair loss): typically in women I will see thinning of the partline, followed by more diffuse thinning through the scalp.
- Seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff): oily and scaly skin, usually along with dandruff in the scalp.
- Acrochordons (skin tags): usually on the neck and the underarms.
- Acanthosis nigricans: dark thickened areas of skin found at the nape of the neck, under the arms, and sometimes in the groin.
what do i do if i notice any of these symptoms?
If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone, and you don’t have to just live with it.
A great first step is booking an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist, who can help identify whether your skin and hair concerns may have a hormonal connection.
We treat these skin changes with a multifaceted approach, including hormonal treatments like spironolactone as well as medications with proven anti-inflammatory effects like metformin and oral zinc. Topical treatments can be very effective for some cutaneous manifestations of PMOS, but often we require a more comprehensive approach to address our patients’ concerns.
what's the vista view?
To me, language shapes how conditions are understood, diagnosed, and treated. Our patients have had their symptoms dismissed or reduced to “period problems” for many years. A name that acknowledges the metabolic component of PMOS could help lead to earlier diagnosis, more comprehensive treatment, and better long-term care.
Struggling with hormonal acne or hair changes? Schedule a consultation with our board-certified dermatologists today.
about the author
Dr. trisha scharff
Dr. Trisha Scharff, MD MPHS is a board-certified dermatologist providing expert medical and cosmetic dermatology services in St. Louis, MO.
She is a Castle Connolly Rising Star.
