FERTILITY NEWS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) to be renamed after global efforts led by healthcare professionals and those with lived experience

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A global initiative to change the name of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has been led by healthcare professionals and individuals with first-hand experience of the condition. This move comes from the need for greater awareness and improved care for those affected by PCOS, which is one in eight women. The syndrome is characterised by a range of symptoms, including challenges with weight management, fertility issues, pregnancy complications, skin and hair changes, and psychological features like depression and anxiety. It also carries increased risks of type 2 diabetes, endometrial cancer, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnoea, and fatty liver disease. The initiative to rename PCOS aims to overcome the misleading implication that it is only an ovarian or gynaecological condition. The research paper from Monash University in Australia revealed that a significant improvement in awareness of PCOS and its diverse features was observed between 2015 and 2023. In the same period, 76% of health professionals and 86% of patients supported a name change.

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