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PCOS/PMOS
PCOS/PMOS is one of the most common hormonal conditions in women of reproductive age, affecting around one in eight women worldwide. It is a complex, multisystem condition with effects spanning metabolism, hormones, fertility, mental health, and skin. With the right support, it is highly manageable.
How can Dr James Brown help?
James has extensive specialist experience in treating the symptoms of PCOS/PMOS. This includes monitored ovulation induction with Letrozole, or assisted reproduction with IVF.
Have more questions about PCOS & it’s different types of treatment?
Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS, formally known as PCOS) is a hormonal condition that can cause irregular periods, acne, excess hair growth, weight or metabolic challenges, and difficulties with ovulation or fertility.
Why the name change?
The old name was widely recognised as a misnomer. Many women with PCOS/PMOS do not have ovarian cysts at all. The apparent cysts seen on ultrasound are arrested follicles, not pathological cysts, and their presence is neither required nor sufficient for diagnosis. By focusing on the ovaries, the name obscured the condition’s true nature as a complex hormonal and metabolic disorder, contributing to delayed diagnoses, fragmented care, and stigma. The new name reflects the full picture: a polyendocrine (multi-hormonal), metabolic condition that happens to involve the ovaries.
| PCOS | Polycystic ovary syndrome: the name used for decades, now formally retired. |
|---|---|
| PMOS | Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome: the new name agreed by global consensus in February 2026 and published in The Lancet in May 2026. |
Endocrine
Hormonal imbalance
Elevated androgens (testosterone and related hormones), often with abnormal LH and FSH patterns, drive many of the visible features of PCOS/PMOS.
Metabolic
Insulin resistance
Most women with PCOS/PMOS have some degree of insulin resistance, raising risks for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and weight dysregulation.
Reproductive
Ovulatory dysfunction
Irregular or absent ovulation leads to irregular periods and is a common cause of subfertility, though many women with PCOS/PMOS conceive without difficulty.
Dermatological
Androgen-driven features
Excess androgens can cause acne, unwanted facial or body hair (hirsutism), and hair thinning on the scalp, significantly affecting quality of life.
PCOS/PMOS presents very differently from person to person.
Some women are diagnosed because of irregular periods; others because of difficulty conceiving; others because of acne or metabolic concerns. No two presentations are the same, and an effective management plan must be built around your specific symptoms, priorities, and long-term health goals.
Common symptoms
- Irregular, infrequent, or absent periods
- Difficulty conceiving
- Unwanted facial or body hair
- Acne, particularly on the jaw and chin
- Hair thinning or scalp hair loss
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Fatigue and low energy
- Mood changes, anxiety, or low mood
- Pelvic discomfort
- Sleep disturbance, including sleep apnoea
Comprehensive Assessment
A thorough hormonal and metabolic workup, including androgen levels, insulin markers, lipids, and ultrasound where indicated, to establish your diagnosis and individual profile.
Metabolic and Cardiovascular Health
Screening and management of insulin resistance, blood glucose, lipids, and blood pressure, with lifestyle support and medication where appropriate.
Fertility and Reproductive Support
Ovulation induction, cycle monitoring, and referral for assisted reproduction where needed, alongside optimisation of metabolic health before conception.
Hormonal Symptom Management
Targeted treatment for hirsutism, acne, and irregular cycles, including hormonal and non-hormonal options tailored to your goals and whether or not you are trying to conceive.