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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, the hormonal disorder commonly known as PCOS that affects 10 to 13 per cent of reproductive-aged women around the world and a whopping 50pc in Pakistan, has been renamed to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS).

The name change was published in The Lancet medical journal and announced at the European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague on Tuesday. It came after 14 years of collaboration between international societies and patient groups.

According to the medical journal, PCOS has primarily been perceived as a gynaecological or ovarian disorder, however, research has shown that it is underpinned by endocrine disturbances in insulin, androgens, and neuroendocrine and ovarian hormones.

“The broad clinical features of the condition are not captured in its current name, as although arrested follicular development is common, pathological ovarian cysts are not increased. These factors delay diagnosis — with up to 70pc of affected individuals remaining undiagnosed — and also contribute to widespread knowledge gaps and patient dissatisfaction.”

The Guardian reported that the renaming was spearheaded by endocrinologist Prof Helena Teede, director of Melbourne’s Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation. Experts, including Teede, have said the misleading nature of the term “polycystic” in PCOS contributed to delayed diagnosis and inadequate medical care.

Announcing the new name at the European Congress of Endocrinology, Teede said the term PCOS didn’t capture the “multi-system burden that people with this condition have suffered”, and instead “directs attention to only one organ”.

It is hoped that the new term — PMOS — will better reflect the condition’s complex nature, as it affects not only the reproductive system but also the metabolism and the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.