PMOS awareness key to better diagnosis and care

This female health condition, Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), has been widely prevalent for the past decades, with data claiming to affect 1 in 8 women globally. Yet the awareness of the latter is still not convincing enough.
Formerly known as PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), now has a new name for better comprehension and better outcomes, as per The Lancet Medical Journal.
The past name is considered a misnomer, as it implies that the condition is confined to the pathogenic or diseased state of the ovaries or their functioning. However, PMOS refers to a cluster of lifestyle and metabolic issues affecting 170 million women globally during their reproductive years alone.
They can be multidimensional, ranging from dysfunctional ovaries to insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, pregnancy complications, and endometrial cancer.
There can be psychological involvement like sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and poor quality of life. And it can be dermatological, involving acne, alopecia (hair loss in patches), or hirsutism (facial or body hair). BMI (Body Mass Index), a parameter to assess body fitness and weight, is usually higher than that of normal people in females with PMOS.
The previous perception was attenuated to multiple cyst growth in the ovaries; however, in many cases, the cystic growth was not expanding, which led to misdiagnosis and lagging desired management. No wonder, female fertility is becoming a global concern owing to the systemic involvement of the condition.
The chief cause is believed to be a rise in androgens (male hormones). Research is underway for such an imbalance in female and male hormones. Also, it is observed that PMOS is hereditary, that means there are genes too which can be accountable for passing it on. Or, there could be certain genes that are responsible, but the research on this is still unclear.
PMOS is a lifelong condition and could be present long before it manifests itself during the reproductive years of a woman. The struggle is real for those who go through it. They battle with weight issues despite trying hard, and the extra weight won't fade out. Unlike normal people, diet and exercise don’t work as effectively with them. Metabolic health is compromised, and they are at a greater risk of cardiovascular diseases.
There is no concrete cure; management is along the lines of manifestation, like regulating hormonal health and supportive medication for conception in cases of infertility. Hormonal therapy for irregular menstrual cycle and symptomatic treatment for presenting issues.
Hence, the vision and goal are to expand the awareness horizon both at the patient level and the healthcare provider and support level, so we stop looking at this issue through the lens of mere ovarian involvement but a broader multisystemic involvement.
With this perspective shift, we aim to diagnose and deliver better health outcomes, and it will no longer be brushed under the carpet.
Nevertheless, maintaining a healthy and sustainable lifestyle shouldn't be underestimated. Avoid outdoor dining, prioritize home-cooked food, pick up a sport or physical activity, and stick on with it. Enroll in that Pilates class with your friend or enjoy morning walks with your partner. Cut down on those sugary beverages and overly sweet fancy coffees. Iced lattes with minimal sugar could be a better alternative. Switch that artificial-loaded sauce burger with a home-baked bread wrap and hummus. Seems trivial, but marks a humongous step towards curtailing the downside of PMOS.