PCOS Awareness Month: Understanding Symptoms, Diagnosis, Fertility and the New Name PMOS

A New Way to Understand a Common Condition

If you have searched for symptoms like irregular periods, stubborn acne, facial hair, difficulty losing weight, or trouble getting pregnant, you have probably encountered the term PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome.

This September, PCOS Awareness Month comes with an important update.

In May 2026, an international group of experts officially renamed the condition polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS. The new name reflects something providers and patients have long recognized: this condition is not simply about ovarian cysts. It can affect hormones, metabolism, menstrual cycles, skin, fertility and long-term health.

You may continue to hear both PCOS and PMOS as healthcare organizations, providers and patients transition to the new terminology. Throughout this article, we’ll refer to it as PCOS/PMOS.

Understanding what the condition can actually look like is an important first step toward getting the right care.

1. What Are the Most Common Signs of PCOS?

One reason PCOS/PMOS can be difficult to recognize is that there is no single symptom.

Common signs can include:

• Irregular, unpredictable or missed periods
• Difficulty ovulating regularly
• Acne
• Increased facial or body hair
• Thinning hair on the scalp
• Difficulty becoming pregnant
• Weight or metabolic changes
• Insulin resistance

PCOS/PMOS can affect reproductive and metabolic health, and symptoms can vary significantly between patients.

That means your experience may look very different from someone else’s.

Can you have PCOS/PMOS with regular periods?

Yes, it is possible.

Irregular periods are the most well-known sign, but they're just one piece of the puzzle. To make a diagnosis, providers look at three main things:

• Ovulation patterns (which aren't always obvious—even "regular" periods don't guarantee you're ovulating normally)
• Signs of higher androgen ("male hormone") activity, either on exam or in bloodwork
• Ovarian findings on ultrasound or a blood test (AMH)

A diagnosis usually requires at least two of these three features, after ruling out other causes. That means you can have PCOS/PMOS even if your cycles seem to come like clockwork.

So if your periods are regular but you're dealing with persistent acne, unwanted hair growth, hair thinning, trouble getting pregnant, or other hormonal symptoms, it's still worth bringing up with your OB-GYN. You know your body—these signs are worth a conversation.

2. PCOS, Insulin Resistance and Weight: What Is the Connection?

One of the biggest changes behind the new PMOS name is greater recognition of the condition’s metabolic component.

Some people with PCOS/PMOS experience insulin resistance, meaning the body does not respond to insulin as effectively as it should. The condition may also be associated with obesity and other metabolic concerns.

For patients, this can sometimes show up as questions like:

“Why am I gaining weight even though my habits haven’t changed?”

“Why is losing weight harder than it used to be?”

“Does having PCOS mean I have insulin resistance?”

The answer is not the same for everyone. Not every person with PCOS has obesity, and appearance or body size alone cannot tell you whether you have the condition.

Your provider may evaluate your overall health, symptoms, and individual risk factors to determine whether additional metabolic testing or treatment is appropriate.

What about GLP-1 medications and PCOS/PMOS?

Medications such as GLP-1 receptor agonists have become an increasingly common topic in conversations about PCOS, particularly for patients who also have metabolic concerns or higher weight.

They should not, however, be viewed as a universal PCOS treatment or a “cure.” PCOS/PMOS treatment is individualized and may involve lifestyle support, hormonal medications, medications addressing metabolic health, fertility treatment or a combination of approaches depending on the patient's symptoms and goals. Current PCOS/PMOS guidelines emphasize individualized, shared decision-making.

If you are curious about whether a medication is appropriate for you, start with a conversation with your healthcare provider rather than relying on social media recommendations.

3. How Is PCOS Diagnosed?

There is no single blood test that can tell every patient, “Yes, you have PCOS/PMOS.”

Instead, your provider looks at the larger picture.

The evaluation may include your menstrual history, symptoms, physical exam, laboratory testing and, in some situations, ovarian imaging.

Healthcare providers generally look for at least two of the following:

1. Ovulatory dysfunction, which may cause infrequent, missed or unusually light periods
2. Higher androgen levels or signs of increased androgen activity
3. Characteristic follicle findings in the ovaries

Other conditions that can cause similar symptoms may also need to be considered before a diagnosis is made.

And despite the old name, having literal ovarian “cysts” is not a requirement for every person with the condition. That misconception was one reason experts advocated for changing the name to PMOS.

4. Can You Get Pregnant if You Have PCOS?

Yes.

PCOS/PMOS is a common cause of infertility because it can interfere with regular ovulation, but having PCOS/PMOS does not mean pregnancy is impossible.

Some patients conceive without fertility treatment, while others may need treatment to achieve regular ovulation or addressing other factors affecting fertility.

If you have, or think you might have, PCOS/PMOS and pregnancy is on your mind, one of the most helpful first steps is a conversation with your OB-GYN before you start trying.

Together you can talk through:

• Whether you're ovulating regularly—the key to timing conception
• Your menstrual cycle history—patterns that offer important clues
• Any medications you take—some may need adjusting before pregnancy
• Your metabolic health—things like blood sugar and insulin that can affect both conception and pregnancy
• Overall preconception wellness—setting the stage for a healthy start
• When a fertility specialist might help—so you know what to expect if you need extra support

The goal is not simply getting pregnant. It is helping you enter pregnancy with a care plan that supports your health and your baby’s from day one.

5. Can PCOS Be Treated?

Yes. While there's no cure that makes PCOS/PMOS permanently disappear, the good news is that its symptoms and related health concerns can very often be managed well.

The right plan depends on what matters most to you. For example:

• Trying to regulate unpredictable periods? Your plan will look different from someone hoping to get pregnant.
• Focused on acne or unwanted hair growth? That calls for its own targeted approach.
• Managing metabolic concerns like insulin resistance or weight? Those may need extra attention.

Depending on your goals, treatment may include lifestyle changes, medications, or other targeted therapies, often in combination.

This personalized approach matters because PCOS/PMOS isn't one identical condition that looks the same in everyone. Your care should reflect your body, your symptoms, and your goals.

Questions Patients Commonly Ask About PCOS

Do you have to be overweight to have PCOS?

No. PCOS/PMOS occurs across body sizes. Weight alone cannot diagnose or rule out the condition.

Can PCOS suddenly develop?

Symptoms may become more noticeable at different stages of life. If your menstrual cycle, skin, hair growth or other hormonal symptoms have changed, talk with your provider rather than trying to diagnose the cause yourself.

Are ovarian cysts required for a PCOS diagnosis?

No. The old name contributed to this misconception. A diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical features, not simply the presence of ovarian cysts.

Does PCOS always cause infertility?

No. PCOS can interfere with ovulation and is a common cause of infertility, but many people with PCOS become pregnant.

When should I talk to my OB-GYN?

Consider making an appointment if you experience persistent menstrual irregularities, significant changes in acne or hair growth, difficulty becoming pregnant or other hormonal symptoms that concern you.

Understanding Your Symptoms Is the First Step

PCOS Awareness Month is a reminder that symptoms deserve more than a quick internet search.

And as the transition from PCOS to PMOS highlights, this condition is about much more than the ovaries. It can affect reproductive, hormonal and metabolic health, making individualized care especially important.

If you have been wondering whether your period changes, acne, hair growth, fertility concerns or other symptoms could be connected, your OB-GYN can help you understand what is happening and what steps make sense for you.

At Together Women’s Health, our providers offer compassionate, evidence-based care designed around each patient's individual needs and goals.

Take the next step:

➡️ Schedule an appointment with your OB-GYN to discuss your symptoms and personalized care options.