PMOS (Formerly PCOS) Treatment in Iowa

Your Hormones May Be Telling You More Than You Think

Irregular periods. Acne that will not clear up. Unwanted hair growth. Trouble managing your weight. Difficulty getting pregnant.

These symptoms may seem unrelated, but they can sometimes be connected.

PMOS is the new name for PCOS. It is the same condition, not a new diagnosis. PMOS can affect your periods, hormones, skin, metabolism, and fertility. You do not need to have ovarian cysts to have PMOS. 

While there is no single cure, treatment can help manage symptoms and protect your long-term health.

At The Gabrielson Clinic for Women, we help women understand changes in their periods, hormones, fertility, and overall health. If your symptoms may be related to PMOS, our team can help you find answers and determine the next step.

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What Is PMOS?

PMOS stands for Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome. You may know this condition by its previous name, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS.

PMOS is a hormone and metabolic condition that can affect how your ovaries work. It can also affect how your body uses insulin, how often you ovulate, your menstrual cycle, your skin, and your ability to become pregnant.

PMOS does not look the same in every woman. One woman may have irregular periods. Another may notice acne or unwanted facial hair. Someone else may not find out she has PMOS until she has trouble becoming pregnant.

PMOS is common, affecting about 1 in 8 women.

Why Was PCOS Renamed PMOS?

PCOS was renamed PMOS because the old name put too much focus on ovarian cysts. Many women with the condition do not have ovarian cysts, and the condition can affect much more than the ovaries.

The new name better reflects the full picture. 

• Polyendocrine refers to the hormone changes that may affect ovulation, acne, hair growth, or hair thinning. 
• Metabolic describes changes in how the body uses energy, including insulin resistance.
• Ovarian refers to the effect PMOS can have on ovulation and menstrual cycles. Together, the new name gives patients and providers a clearer understanding of the condition.

What Are the Symptoms of PMOS?

There is no single symptom for every woman with PMOS.

Common PMOS and PCOS symptoms may include:

Some women have only one or two symptoms. Others have several.

You can also have PMOS at any body size. Weight alone cannot tell you if you have the condition.

Why Can PMOS Cause Irregular Periods?

PMOS can interfere with ovulation, which happens when an ovary releases an egg.

If you do not ovulate regularly, your periods may not happen on a regular schedule either.

PMOS is only one possible cause of irregular periods. Thyroid problems, pregnancy, stress, perimenopause, changes in birth control, and other conditions can also affect your cycle.

If your periods have changed, a women's healthcare provider can help determine why.

Learn More About Menstrual Irregularities

Insulin Resistance & PCOS / PMOS

Insulin helps your body use sugar for energy. With insulin resistance, the body does not respond to insulin as well as it should, so it may produce more insulin to help control blood sugar.

High insulin levels can affect other hormones and may make ovulation more difficult, which can contribute to PMOS symptoms. Insulin resistance can vary from woman to woman, so your provider may look at your blood sugar, symptoms, health history, and other factors when evaluating your metabolic health.

Do You Need Ovarian Cysts to Have PMOS?

No. This is one of the most important reasons PCOS was renamed PMOS.

Some women with PMOS have many small follicles that can be seen on an ultrasound. Follicles contain immature eggs and are not the same as the ovarian cysts people commonly think about.

Other women with PMOS do not have this ovarian appearance at all.

What Causes PCOS / PMOS?

There is no single known cause of PMOS.

Researchers believe several factors may work together, including:

• Genetics
• Hormone changes
• Insulin resistance
• The way the ovaries function
• Other metabolic factors

PMOS may also run in families. Having a close biological family member with the condition may increase your chance of developing it.

Having one risk factor does not mean you will have PMOS.

How Is PMOS Diagnosed?

There is no single test for PCOS / PMOS. 

Your provider will look at your symptoms, health history, and menstrual cycle to understand the full picture. They may ask about changes in your periods, bleeding, acne, hair growth or thinning, weight, medications, fertility concerns, and your personal or family health history. A physical exam may also help identify signs of hormone changes.

Depending on your symptoms, your provider may recommend blood tests to check hormone levels, blood sugar, insulin, or cholesterol and to rule out other conditions. In some cases, a pelvic ultrasound may be used to look at the ovaries and uterus, but an ultrasound is not always needed to diagnose PMOS. 

Because PMOS can share symptoms with other health conditions, a complete evaluation is important.

How Is PMOS Treated?

PMOS / PCOS treatment is based on your symptoms, overall health, menstrual cycle, metabolic health, and pregnancy goals. Your care plan may also change over time as your needs change.

Treatment may include hormonal birth control or other hormone treatments to help regulate periods, healthy lifestyle changes or medication to support metabolic health, and treatments for acne or unwanted hair. Dermatology care may also help manage skin and hair symptoms related to PMOS. 

If PMOS affects ovulation, treatment may also focus on helping you ovulate more regularly. Women who are trying to become pregnant may benefit from additional fertility evaluation or treatment based on their individual needs.

Can You Get Pregnant With PCOS / PMOS?

Yes. PMOS can make pregnancy more difficult if ovulation does not happen regularly, but many women with PMOS are still able to become pregnant. Some conceive without treatment, while others may benefit from medication or fertility care to support ovulation.

If you are trying to become pregnant, talk with your women’s healthcare provider about your cycle, symptoms, and fertility goals. If you are not trying to become pregnant, remember that irregular periods do not prevent pregnancy, so birth control may still be needed.

Can PMOS Affect Your Long-Term Health?

PMOS can affect more than your period or fertility.

Women with PMOS may have an increased risk for certain health concerns, including:

Having PMOS does not mean you will develop these conditions. It does mean that regular preventive care is important.

Managing PMOS should focus on both how you feel today and protecting your health in the years ahead.

Does PMOS Go Away?

PMOS is considered a long-term condition. Your symptoms may change throughout your life.

For example, irregular periods or fertility concerns may be more noticeable during your reproductive years. Metabolic health may become more important as you get older.

There is not one treatment that permanently removes PMOS, but symptoms can often be managed.

Regular care gives you and your provider the chance to adjust your treatment as your body and health needs change.

When Should You Talk With a Women's Healthcare Provider?

Consider making an appointment if you notice:

These symptoms do not always mean you have PMOS. They are signs worth discussing with your provider.

You Have Questions. Let’s Find Answers.

Maybe your periods have never been regular. Maybe your symptoms have recently changed. Or maybe you have been told you have PCOS and are now wondering why it is called PMOS.

You do not need to figure it out by yourself.

The Gabrielson Clinic for Women provides personalized women's healthcare in Iowa to help you better understand your hormones, menstrual cycle, fertility, and overall health.

Talk with our team about your symptoms and learn what your next step may be.

Schedule an Appointment Today