What is PCOS (now called PMOS)? A plain guide for Filipinas

PCOS meaning, in plain words

PCOS stands for polycystic ovary syndrome. Since May 2026 it has a new official name, PMOS or polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome. In this guide we say “PMOS, formerly PCOS” or just PCOS, because both names are in use until 2028.

In simple terms, PMOS means your body's hormone signals are a little off in a few places at once:

• Your ovaries may not release an egg every month (anovulationanovulation: Not releasing an egg in a cycle. The main reason periods become irregular in PCOS.), so your reglaregla: Period or menstruation. comes late, rarely or not at all.
• Your body may make more androgensandrogens: Hormones like testosterone. Everyone has them; in PCOS they are often higher. than usual, which can cause tagyawattagyawat: Pimples or acne., chin hair (balbasbalbas: Beard or chin hair; used for facial hair growth in PCOS.) or thinning scalp hair.
• Many people have insulin resistanceinsulin resistance: When the body needs more insulin than usual to keep blood sugar steady., which affects energy, cravings, weight and long-term heart and diabetes risk.

Many Filipinos call this “hormonal imbalancehormonal imbalance: A loose term Filipinos often use for PCOS and other hormone problems. Ask your doctor which hormone and which test.”. That phrase is not wrong, but it is vague. PMOS is a specific diagnosis with specific tests and treatments, and knowing that helps you ask for the right care.

Official name since 2026

Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS)

Main guideline

2023 International Evidence-based Guideline

Diagnosis

Two of three Rotterdam features, after ruling out mimics

Curable?

No cure, but very manageable

First doctor to see

OB-GYN; endocrinologist for metabolic issues

Basic check-up cost

₱1,500 to ₱2,500

Prices checked October 2026. Prices at Philippine drugstores and labs change often; confirm before you go.

PCOS is now PMOS

On 12 May 2026, The Lancet published the new name after a global process involving 56 organisations and more than 14,000 survey responses. “Cysts” was dropped because most people do not have true cysts. “Metabolic” was added because insulin resistance is central for many. Your diagnosis and treatment stay the same.

Read the full story, with an interactive explainer card, on PCOS is now PMOS.

What causes PCOS?

There is no single cause, and scientists are still learning. What is clear is that two things feed each other:

1. Insulin resistance. Your body needs more insulin than usual to keep blood sugar steady. High insulin pushes the ovaries to make more androgens. This happens at any body size, which is why lean people can have PCOS too.
2. Higher androgens. Androgens interfere with the growth of follicles in the ovary. Instead of one egg maturing and being released, many small follicles stall. That is what shows up on ultrasound as “polycystic” ovaries, and why periods become irregular.

PCOS often runs in families, so if your mother or sister has it, or there is type 2 diabetes in the family, your risk is higher. [TODO: source]

Ano ang mga sign na may PCOS?

You do not need every sign to have PCOS, and having one does not mean you have it. The most common are:

• Acne that keeps coming back (Tagyawat): Deep, often jawline acne that does not clear with skincare alone. Read more
• Chin, face or body hair (Balbas o buhok sa mukha): Coarse dark hair on the chin, upper lip, chest or belly. Read more
• Insulin resistance and belly weight (Insulin resistance at paglaki ng tiyan): Cravings, energy dips, and weight that settles around the middle. Read more
• Irregular or missing periods (Irregular o delayed na regla): Cycles longer than 35 days, fewer than 8 a year, or months with none. Read more
• Mood, anxiety and sleep (Lungkot, kaba at puyat): Higher rates of depression, anxiety and sleep problems. Read more
• Trouble getting pregnant (hirap mabuntis): fewer ovulations mean fewer chances each year, but it is treatable. Read more

See every symptom on the symptoms hub, or tap through the interactive Symptom Map.

How doctors decide: two of three

The 2023 International Guideline uses the Rotterdam criteria. You need at least two of these, after other causes are ruled out:

1. Irregular ovulation. From 3 years after your first period, cycles shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days, or fewer than 8 periods a year (Rec 1.1.1).
2. High androgens. Seen on the body (acne, hirsutismhirsutism: Coarse, dark hair in places where men usually grow it, such as the chin or chest., scalp thinning) or on a blood test (testosterone).
3. Polycystic ovaries or a high AMH. Seen on ultrasound, or in adults, a high AMHAMH: Anti-Mullerian hormone. In adults it can be used instead of an ultrasound to check the ovaries (2023 Guideline). blood test can replace the ultrasound (Rec 1.4.6, 1.5.1).

If you already have irregular cycles and high androgens, the guideline says an ultrasound is not needed (Rec 1.4.9, 1.5.2). Doctors also check TSH (thyroid) and prolactin, because those problems can look like PCOS. Teens within 8 years of their first period are diagnosed without ultrasound. Full details are on our diagnosis guide.

The four types (phenotypes A to D)

You may have seen social media posts about “adrenal”, “inflammatory” or “post-pill” PCOS. Those are not medical categories. The official types, called phenotypesphenotype: One of four official PCOS types (A to D), based on which Rotterdam features you have., come from which of the three Rotterdam features you have:

What Filipino data shows. A study of 142 Filipino patients at a tertiary hospital (Bisquera et al., JAFES 2023) found that phenotype A had a median BMI of 31.69 and a median HOMA-IR (a measure of insulin resistance) of 4.70. The authors found that the “oligo-anovulatory phenotypes (A, B, and D) present with greater metabolic dysfunction.” In other words, if your periods are irregular, your doctor has extra reason to check your blood sugar and cholesterol.

Your type can change over time, and it does not decide your worth or your future. It just helps your doctor plan which checks matter most. Learn more on PCOS types A to D.

Why it matters long term

PMOS is not only about periods or skin. Over the years it raises the risk of:

• Type 2 diabetes. The guideline asks for a 75 g OGTTOGTT: Oral glucose tolerance test: you drink 75 g of glucose and blood sugar is checked over 2 hours. The most accurate glucose test in PCOS. at diagnosis, “the most accurate test” (Rec 1.9.9), and again every 1 to 3 years.
• High cholesterol and heart disease. A lipid profile is recommended “regardless of age and BMI” (Rec 1.8.3), plus yearly blood pressure.
• Endometrial (womb lining) problems. Long gaps between periods let the lining build up, which over time increases the risk of endometrial cancer. That is why doctors protect the lining with treatment.
• Depression and anxiety. These are more common in PCOS, and the guideline asks doctors to screen all adults (Rec 2.2.1, 2.2.2).

The 141-upvote post on r/PCOSPhilippines about an endocrinologist visit shows why this matters: an OB had said she “no longer had PCOS,” but the endo found high LDL and borderline sugar. A normal ultrasound does not remove metabolic risk.

Nagagamot ba ang PCOS?

There is no cure, but there is a lot that helps. The right treatment depends on your goal, which is why two people with PCOS can get very different plans:

• Regular periods, acne, chin hair: the combined pill is first line. Pills for PCOS
• Insulin resistance and metabolic health: healthy eating and activity at any weight, and metformin in some adults (Rec 4.3.1). Metformin for PCOS
• Getting pregnant: letrozole is the first-line medicine (Rec 5.3.1). Fertility with PCOS
• Supplements: inositol “could be considered”, but the guideline rates the benefits as limited (Rec 4.7.1). Inositol, honestly

A 2025 Philippine study of 20 women found many stopped care after missed follow-ups, side effects, costs, or the belief that “it's not curable, so I stopped.” Staying in care is what protects your long-term health. See every option on PCOS treatments.

This guide is for information. Talk to a doctor before starting or changing any treatment.

What to do next

1. Take the free 2-minute self-check to see which features you may have.
2. Track your cycles for a few months with the cycle tracker. Data stays on your phone.
3. See an OB-GYN. A first consult at Kindred costs ₱850 per consult, and government hospitals like PGH charge ₱0 to ₱500. See every cost in pesos.
4. Ask for the tests the guideline recommends. Our diagnosis guide lists them in order.

• PCOS symptomsEvery sign, explained, with what helps.→
• How PCOS is diagnosedWhich tests, in what order, and what you can skip.→
• Ano ang PCOS?Basahin ang gabay na ito sa Taglish.→