Reframing Women’s Health: From PCOS to PMOS: Implications of a New Disease Concept for Nursing Care, Patient Education, and Women’s Health Outcomes – A Narrative Review

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine and metabolic conditions that affect women during their reproductive years. In the past, the name PCOS focused mainly on the ovaries, which led people to see the condition as primarily related to the ovaries or the reproductive system. However, recent research shows that PCOS is actually a complex and long-term condition that affects multiple systems in the body, including the endocrine, metabolic, reproductive, psychological, and overall health of women. In May 2026, after a global agreement among experts, the condition was officially renamed to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) to more accurately represent its multi-system nature and the various symptoms it can cause.
Objective: This narrative review examines the rationale and significance of the transition from PCOS to PMOS and explores its implications for nursing care, patient education, self-management, multidisciplinary practice, and women's-health outcomes. The review particularly considers how the new terminology may support a more comprehensive understanding of the endocrine, metabolic, reproductive, psychological, and long-term health needs of women living with PMOS.
Methods: A narrative review of literature from PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases was conducted using keywords related to PCOS, PMOS, endocrine dysfunction, metabolic health, nursing care, patient education, quality of life, and women's health. Recent international clinical guidelines, the global consensus on the PMOS name change, systematic reviews, narrative reviews, and relevant primary research were examined and synthesised to explore the implications of the terminology change for contemporary clinical practice and patient-centred care.
Results: PMOS, formerly known as PCOS, affects approximately 10–13% of reproductive-aged women worldwide, or nearly 1 in 8 women. Global pooled meta-analytic estimates place prevalence at approximately 12% using Rotterdam criteria, while up to 70% of affected women may remain undiagnosed. PMOS reflects a multisystem endocrine and metabolic disorder involving reproductive, metabolic, psychological, and quality-of-life outcomes. The 2026 international consensus name change aims to better represent these interconnected dimensions and reduce misconceptions associated with the previous terminology. For nursing practice, the PMOS framework supports comprehensive assessment, patient education, self-management, psychological support, risk reduction, and multidisciplinary care across the life course.
Conclusion: A broader PMOS perspective may improve recognition of the endocrine, metabolic, reproductive, and psychosocial dimensions of the disorder. Nurses play a critical role in early identification, health education, lifestyle modification, psychological support, and coordination of multidisciplinary care. Future research should evaluate nurse-led interventions, digital health approaches, and personalised care strategies within this evolving disease framework.