September is PMOS Awareness Month

September is Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), and it’s more important than ever to continue the conversation about this condition.

The women’s health experts at Daye are urging women to look beyond the feature most commonly associated with the condition: ovarian cysts. The condition affects an estimated 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, yet the World Health Organisation estimates up to 70% remain undiagnosed.

Dr Amira Bhaiji, Internal Medicine Resident Doctor and member of Daye’s Medical Board, explains what PMOS is:

“Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) is a hormonal and metabolic disorder affecting millions of women worldwide. Previously known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), the condition’s former name placed disproportionate emphasis on ovarian cysts – a symptom that is neither universal nor central to the condition for many patients.

“The term PMOS is important because it moves the conversation away from an overly “cyst-centric” understanding of the condition and toward recognising it as a complex multisystem disorder.”

Because of this, many women experience symptoms they don’t realise could be linked to PMOS or feel too embarrassed to discuss with a healthcare professional.

Women’s health experts at Daye say symptoms can too often be dismissed as cosmetic concerns, attributed to stress or ageing, or simply accepted as “normal”, potentially delaying diagnosis for years.

Importantly, no single symptom is enough to suggest PMOS. However, when several of these symptoms occur together, they may indicate an underlying hormonal imbalance and should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Symptoms women shouldn’t ignore:

Valentina Milanova, women’s health researcher and founder of Daye, explains the lesser-known signs women shouldn’t ignore:

Excess facial or body hair

Thinning hair or male pattern hair loss

What should women do if they’re worried?

Seeking medical advice can feel daunting, particularly when symptoms affect appearance or self-confidence. However, experts say recognising these signs early can help shorten what is often a lengthy diagnostic journey.