The renaming of polycystic ovary syndrome to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) has reignited concerns the condition has long been misunderstood, overlooked and misdiagnosed.
The condition’s previous name, PCOS, was criticised for focusing on ovarian cysts despite many sufferers not having them, which experts claim caused confusion and delayed diagnosis.
Research shows 33.6 per cent of women wait more than two years for a diagnosis, while nearly half see multiple health professionals, with 47.1 per cent seeing three or more before receiving answers.
PMOS sufferer, Charlotte Fisher, 21, said it took four years before she understood what was causing her symptoms.
“I noticed something was wrong when I was 17. I was going to hospital for pelvic pain and I had gained weight. Within two years I put on 15 kilos and thought it was my birth control,” she said.
“Doctors kept saying they thought the pain was from my appendix, but I knew it wasn’t my appendix.
“I went to a specialist in October and they told me I had endometriosis and possibly PCOS. About two months later I had a blood test to confirm it, but I’d waited from 17 to 21 for a diagnosis.”
PMOS affects between 10 and 13 per cent of women of reproductive age worldwide, making it one of the most common hormonal disorders among women. However, diagnosis remains slow and inconsistent.
According to the Endocrine Society, nearly two in three women reported dissatisfaction with the time it took to receive a diagnosis and the number of doctors they consulted.
Data shows only 35.2 per cent of women reported being satisfied with their diagnosis experience, and 15.6 per cent felt they received adequate information at the time of diagnosis.
Labor MP for Sherwood Forest and chair of the APPG on PCOS, Michelle Welsh told The Guardian the condition continues to be overlooked despite its widespread impact.
“PCOS affects one in eight women and those assigned female at birth, yet for too long it has been sidelined in policy, overlooked in funding, and misunderstood in practice,” she said.
“If we are serious about improving women’s health, we must act now to break the cycle.”
PMOS is linked to long-term health risks including infertility, type 2 diabetes, anxiety and depression, making early diagnosis critical.
The condition’s varied symptoms, along with the lack of a single diagnostic test, continue to contribute to delays and confusion in identifying the condition.
Health experts hope the change from PCOS to PMOS will improve awareness and reduce cases of women being overlooked, misdiagnosed or left waiting years for answers.
Additional Reporting: Ava Ferguson-Leighton and Lachlan Mcinerney
Image: Canva
