PCOS Is Now PMOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has a new name—Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)—a change that was long overdue, as the new name better accounts for the many aspects of this complex condition. This is because the condition affects far more parts of the body than just the ovaries—and for many women, their ovaries aren’t affected at all. Furthermore, what appears in the ovaries for some are not true cysts, making the entire name entirely misleading.

Why Was the Old Name So Problematic?

PMOS affects one in eight women, or more than 170 million women worldwide, and the original name distilled a body-wide hormonal and metabolic condition down to a single misunderstood detail—meaning that as many as 7 in 10 women with the condition remain misdiagnosed or undiagnosed entirely.

Swapping polyendocrine for polycystic better addresses the multi-modal nature of PMOS, which is defined by fluctuations in many hormone systems (including insulin, androgens, and others), as well as impacts on fertility and the reproductive system, weight, and metabolic and mental health.

While PMOS cannot be permanently cured, consistent, good nutrition and the right lifestyle changes can alleviate symptoms and reverse weight gain, balance hormones, and restore regular ovulation.

What Are the Symptoms of PMOS?

Now that the medical community understands the condition as more than just having polycystic ovaries (which PMOS sufferers may or may not have), you may be wondering if your symptoms could possibly be PMOS. They include:

·      Irregular periods, with cycles lasting 35 days or more

·      Infertility or difficulty conceiving due to hormonal imbalances

·      Excessive hair growth or thinning hair due to excess male hormones

·      Skin issues, including acne, skin tags, and/or darkening of the skin

·      Weight gain and/or obesity, with weight loss a challenge

·      Build-up of ovarian follicles in at least one ovary (polycystic ovaries)

It’s also possible to have PMOS without symptoms; many women only learn they have it when they have trouble getting pregnant or are putting on weight without reason. It’s also possible to have mild PMOS, or to even have something called lean PMOS, which is when you have PMOS symptoms, including insulin resistance, but your BMI still falls within a healthy range. In short, PMOS does not look the same from person to person, and treating it successfully requires individualized attention.

How Is PMOS Diagnosed?

As explained above, people with PMOS do not always present with polycystic ovaries. In order to receive a PMOS diagnosis, you must have at least two of these three symptoms:

·      Irregular periods with cycles lasting 35 days or more

·      High levels of androgens (male hormones, like testosterone) detected through a blood test and which may present as skin problems and/or excessive hair growth on the face and body and/or male-pattern head hair loss

·      Enlarged ovaries or a polycystic appearance on an ultrasound (typically twenty or more follicles in at least one ovary). During a normal cycle, many follicles may develop but typically only one matures and releases an egg. In women with PMOS, the high levels of male hormones prevent this from happening, thus sometimes—but not always—leading to the presence of immature follicle buildup.

What Are Its Potential Causes?

While the exact cause of PMOS is unknown, there are several correlating factors:

·      Insulin resistance. Insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas, helps cells process sugar to be used for energy. When you have insulin resistance, your cells don’t respond to insulin properly and elevate your blood sugar levels, prompting your body to produce even more insulin to bring them back down. You’ll feel lethargic, sleepy after meals, crave sugar after eating, and gain weight around your middle. Over time, insulin resistance can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes.

·      Excessive androgen activity. Androgen hormones, aka “male” hormones, are either overproduced or overactive in people with PMOS. In addition to skin and hair issues in women, too much androgen activity can prevent ovulation.

·      Chronic inflammation. In a vicious cycle, chronic inflammation disrupts ovulation, stimulates excess androgen production, and causes insulin resistance. High circulating levels of insulin trigger the body’s inflammatory response, further reducing its ability to use insulin effectively.

·      Genetics. Although more research is needed, there is evidence that certain genes may be linked to PMOS.  A family history also puts you at higher risk of developing the condition.

Understanding Your PMOS Diagnosis

If you’ve been diagnosed with PMOS, you may be wondering what your options are. While many take the route of metabolic medications, and you may need to as well, know that proper nutrition and lifestyle changes are non-negotiable when it comes to successfully managing the condition.  

While there are a lot of claims out there about how a certain food or supplement has the power to “cure” PMOS, the reality is for more complex. Consistent, healthful eating targeted for your needs, as well as certain healthy habits, can have a major positive impact by helping you better metabolize food, manage stress, lose weight, and drastically improve insulin resistance. Of course, this can be overwhelming to tackle on your own, but you don’t have to go it solo.

How I Can Help You Manage PMOS

·      A customized nutrition plan based on your individual needs. A major part of successfully managing PMOS comes down to improving insulin resistance—which can be done effectively through diet. When we work together, I create a personalized plan that helps keep your blood sugar stable, reduces your insulin resistance, and supports hormone regulation by ensuring you get all your macro- and micronutrients.

·      Assess your holistic health and help you create lifestyle changes accordingly. There’s more to controlling PMOS, than just a healthy diet. Together, we look at you as a whole person—how you exercise, the quality of your sleep, and your overall stress levels—to help you make other lifestyle changes in support of your best health.

·      Keep you on track and accountable. As with any lifestyle change, it can be challenging to stay consistent on your own. With regular check-ins and a food diary, I keep you on target. What matters is not what you do some of the time, but most of the time, and managing PMOS can be a lifelong effort—for some women, even through menopause.

·      Discuss and help source key supplements for your unique needs. In addition to a nutritious diet and healthful lifestyle changes, you may need to add certain supplements to your routine as well. I will guide you through selecting the right, high-quality supplements for your own unique needs, eliminating the guesswork and unnecessary costs of a trial-and-error approach.

With a name change that more accurately reflects the “metabolic chaos” of the condition, more women are getting correctly diagnosed with PMOS. And with the right diagnosis in hand, it’s much easier to make the right changes to improve your health.

If you’ve been recently diagnosed or have not found the right course of treatment for your PMOS, please contact me.

Together we can alleviate your symptoms, improve your fertility, and get you on track for lifelong good health!