Women with PMOS should have yearly NHS checks, says health watchdog

Women with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) should have annual checks so doctors can spot the wide-ranging health issues that can come with this complex condition, says new advice for the NHS.

PMOS, which affects around one in eight women, used to be known as polycystic ovary syndrome but was renamed in May to better reflect the broad impact it can have across the body.

The draft guidance issued by health regulator NICE urges faster diagnosis along with better monitoring.

PMOS is a major cause of female infertility. Symptoms can include irregular periods, excessive hair growth and weight gain.

Despite between three and four million women having the condition in the UK, PMOS is still under-diagnosed and inconsistently managed, says NICE.

It recommends the new annual checks cover not just the main symptoms, but also longer-term associated risks, such as diabetes and heart disease.

Lifestyle changes, as well as treatment, could help to prevent more serious illness, says NICE.

There is no cure for PMOS but the NHS already offers treatments to manage the symptoms, including hormone support and fertility drugs.

The new guidance is clear that laser and light therapies for hair reduction is not recommended due to the cost.

Sharon Manship has PMOS and was part of the committee that came up with the new guidelines after living with the condition for 30 years.

She said she struggled to get a diagnosis despite having initially sought support in her early 20s for her symptoms. It took her more than 10 years to be told she had PMOS.

"It was so disheartening to be told, until I was finally diagnosed in my mid-30s, that my symptoms were just part of being a woman," she said.

"My hope is that with this new guideline, people with PMOS will be taken seriously, diagnosed earlier and provided with evidence-based support and care from healthcare professionals from the outset, rather than having to go what I went through."

The guidelines recommend when to suspect PMOS, how to assess women and how to diagnose the condition.

They also say PMOS should not be discounted in women who have been through the menopause.

PMOS is thought to be more common in women of Black, Asian and mixed ethnicity, and healthcare professionals "should consider this when assessing symptoms", NICE says.

Living with PMOS can have a significant impact on mental health and quality of life too, and the draft guidelines say depression and anxiety are common.

For those planning a pregnancy, advice on weight, diet, nutrition, exercise, sleep and mental health is recommended.

Marie Anne Ledingham, consultant clinical advisor for women's and reproductive health at NICE, said recommending a "simple" annual review was an "important step".

"This new guideline will help improve consistency of care, increase awareness of the condition, and support earlier diagnosis and management."

The draft guideline is open for consultation from 1 July to 11 August 2026, and NICE is inviting feedback from healthcare professionals, patients and the public. NICE expects to publish its final guideline on PMOS in December 2026.