The short answer: PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a common long-term hormone condition that can cause irregular periods, acne, extra facial or body hair, hair thinning, weight gain and difficulty getting pregnant. In 2026 experts renamed it polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), because it affects hormones and metabolism across the body, not just the ovaries. It's diagnosed with a history, examination, blood tests and sometimes a scan. There's no cure yet, but treatment and lifestyle changes manage it well for most women.
What is PCOS?
PCOS is a condition where the hormones that control ovulation, skin, hair and metabolism are out of balance. Women with PCOS often have higher levels of androgens, the hormones sometimes called "male" hormones, which all women make in small amounts. Many also have insulin resistance, which affects weight, energy and long-term health.
It usually starts around puberty and can carry on until menopause. Some women have strong symptoms, some have mild ones, and some have almost none. That's one reason it often goes unnoticed for years. The World Health Organization says up to 70% of women with PCOS don't know they have it.
PCOS has a new name: PMOS
In May 2026, The Lancet published a global consensus statement renaming polycystic ovary syndrome as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS. The process was backed by 56 academic, clinical and patient organisations and included surveys with more than 14,000 responses from people with PCOS and health professionals. The NHS has already started using the new name.
Each part of the new name describes something real about the condition:
- Polyendocrine: several hormone systems are involved, not only the reproductive ones.
- Metabolic: insulin resistance and related effects on weight, blood sugar and cholesterol are central for many women.
- Ovarian: it still affects the ovaries and ovulation.
The word "cyst" was deliberately dropped. The small round shapes seen on scans are follicles, the fluid-filled sacs where eggs develop, not true cysts. Many women with the condition don't have them at all. The authors say the old name led to confusion, delayed diagnosis and stigma.
The change is being brought in gradually, so you'll see both names for some time. Most doctors and labs in India still say PCOS or PCOD, so this article uses PCOS. If your doctor or report says PMOS, it means the same condition.
How common is PCOS in India?
Very common. Globally, the WHO estimates that 10 to 13% of women of reproductive age have PCOS, and the Lancet consensus describes it as affecting about one in eight women.
In India, a large study published in JAMA Network Open in 2024 enrolled 8,993 women aged 18 to 40 from different regions. It found PCOS in 7.2% of women using the stricter NIH criteria and 19.6% using the wider Rotterdam criteria, which most doctors use today. That's up to about one in five women. Rates were slightly higher in urban areas than rural ones, but PCOS was common everywhere.
Symptoms of PCOS
You might have several of these, a few, or only one:
- Irregular periods: long gaps between periods, very unpredictable cycles, or no periods for months
- Extra hair growth (hirsutism): on the face, chin, chest, tummy or back
- Hair thinning: on the top of the head
- Acne and oily skin: often along the jaw and chin, and persisting past the teenage years
- Weight gain: or finding it hard to lose weight, often around the tummy
- Dark, thick patches of skin: on the back of the neck, armpits or groin, called acanthosis nigricans, a sign of insulin resistance
- Difficulty getting pregnant: because ovulation doesn't happen regularly
- Tiredness, low mood or anxiety
Irregular periods have many other causes too, such as stress, thyroid problems and weight changes, so these symptoms don't automatically mean PCOS. Our guide to irregular periods covers the other possibilities.
PCOS affects women of all body sizes. Many slim women have it too, and they can still have insulin resistance.
What causes PCOS?
The exact cause isn't known, but doctors understand several pieces of the puzzle.
Insulin resistance
Insulin is the hormone that moves sugar from your blood into your cells. In insulin resistance, the body doesn't respond well to it, so the pancreas makes more. High insulin levels push the ovaries to make more androgens, which disrupts ovulation and causes skin and hair symptoms. It also makes weight gain more likely, which can then worsen insulin resistance.
Raised androgens
Higher androgen levels interfere with the normal growth and release of an egg each month. Instead, many follicles start to develop and then stall. This is why periods become irregular.
Genes and family
PCOS tends to run in families. If your mother, sister or aunt has PCOS, your risk is higher.
How PCOS is diagnosed
There's no single test. In adults, doctors usually diagnose PCOS when you have at least two of these three features, after ruling out other causes:
| Feature | How it's checked |
|---|---|
| Irregular or absent ovulation | Your period history: cycles often longer than 35 days, or very few periods a year |
| High androgens | Symptoms such as extra hair growth and acne, or raised androgen levels on a blood test |
| Polycystic-looking ovaries | An ultrasound showing many small follicles, or sometimes a blood test for AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) |
Your doctor may also order blood tests for thyroid function and prolactin to rule out other conditions, plus blood sugar and cholesterol to check your metabolic health.
Diagnosis in teenagers
Diagnosis is more careful in teenagers. Irregular cycles and acne are common in the first few years after periods start, and ovaries naturally look busy at this age. The NHS says ovary ultrasounds are only done for people over 18. If your daughter has symptoms, a doctor may watch and review over time rather than give a label straight away.
What to bring to your appointment
- Your period dates for the last few months
- Notes on skin, hair, weight and mood changes
- Your family history of PCOS, diabetes or heart disease
- Any previous blood test or scan reports
Long-term health risks
PCOS isn't only about periods. Over time it can raise the risk of:
- Type 2 diabetes, and diabetes during pregnancy
- High blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease
- Fatty liver disease
- Sleep apnoea, where breathing stops and starts during sleep
- Cancer of the womb lining, especially if you go a long time with very few periods
- Depression and anxiety
Regular check-ups for blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol help catch these early. If you rarely get periods, your doctor may suggest treatment to make sure the womb lining sheds regularly, which lowers the risk of womb lining problems.
Treatment for PCOS
Treatment is matched to your symptoms and goals. What matters most to you today, whether that's regular periods, clearer skin or a baby, guides the plan, and it can change over time.
| Goal | What your doctor may suggest |
|---|---|
| More regular periods | Hormonal contraception such as the combined pill, progestogen tablets or a hormonal IUD |
| Getting pregnant | Medicines such as clomifene that help you ovulate; sometimes metformin; IVF or ovarian drilling if needed |
| Less unwanted hair | Medicines that block androgens such as spironolactone, eflornithine cream, plus laser, threading or waxing |
| Clearer skin | Acne creams or tablets, and sometimes the combined pill |
| Weight and insulin resistance | Lifestyle changes; sometimes metformin or weight-loss medicines |
| Mood | Talking therapy, and support for anxiety or depression |
Some of these medicines are not suitable during pregnancy or while trying to conceive, so always tell your doctor about your plans.
Lifestyle changes that make a difference
Lifestyle changes are the base of treatment for almost everyone with PCOS, whatever your weight.
- Eat balanced, regular meals: fill half your plate with vegetables, add dal, chana, rajma, eggs, paneer or fish for protein, and choose whole grains such as ragi, jowar, bajra or brown rice over maida and white rice. Cut back on sweets, sugary drinks, biscuits and fried snacks.
- Move most days: both brisk walking and strength exercises improve how your body uses insulin. Thirty minutes a day is a good target.
- Manage your weight if needed: if you're overweight, losing even a small amount of weight can make periods more regular and improve other symptoms.
- Sleep well and manage stress: both affect your hormones and appetite.
- Be wary of quick fixes: "PCOS teas", detox drinks and extreme diets sold online are not proven treatments. Talk to your doctor before trying supplements.
Living with unpredictable periods
With PCOS, a period can arrive after a long gap, sometimes heavier than usual. Keeping a period panty on hand, or wearing one when you notice early signs like cramps or bloating, means an unexpected period doesn't catch you out. On days when you're unsure, a panty liner is a lighter option. If your periods are heavy after a long gap, our guide to how much bleeding is too much explains when to get checked.
See a doctor if
- Your periods are irregular, or you often go months without one
- You have extra hair growth, acne that won't clear, or hair thinning
- You've gained weight quickly or notice dark patches of skin on your neck or armpits
- You've been trying to get pregnant without success
- You've been told you have PCOS but haven't had your blood sugar, blood pressure or cholesterol checked
- You're feeling low or anxious about your symptoms
If you're struggling with your mood, you can also call Tele-MANAS, the government's free mental health helpline, on 14416.
Frequently asked questions
Can PCOS be cured? Not yet, but symptoms can be well managed, and many women find they improve with treatment and lifestyle changes.
Can I get pregnant with PCOS? Yes. Many women with PCOS get pregnant naturally, and others with help from medicines that support ovulation.
Do you have to be overweight to have PCOS? No. PCOS affects women of all body sizes, and slim women can also have insulin resistance.
Is PMOS a different condition from PCOS? No. PMOS is the new name for the same condition. The diagnosis and treatment haven't changed because of the name.
Do PCOS cysts need to be removed? No. The "cysts" are small follicles, not true cysts, and they don't need surgery.
Is PCOS the same as PCOD? The two terms are often used interchangeably in India. Our guide to PCOS vs PCOD explains the difference.
Will PCOS go away after menopause? Periods stop, but the metabolic side, such as the risk of diabetes and heart disease, can continue, so keep up regular check-ups.
Related reading
- Irregular Periods: Causes, Tests and What Helps
- Period Late but Not Pregnant? 10 Common Reasons
- How to Calculate Your Next Period Date (With Examples)
- PMS: Symptoms, Causes and What Actually Helps
This article is for general information and doesn't replace advice from your doctor.
Sources: NHS: Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), The Lancet: Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome, JAMA Network Open: Prevalence, phenotypes, and comorbidities of polycystic ovary syndrome among Indian women, WHO: Polycystic ovary syndrome