Polycystic ovary syndrome affects roughly one in ten women of reproductive age. It is one of the most common hormonal conditions there is, and one of the most frequently missed. Many women see three or four providers across several years before anyone puts the pieces together, and plenty are handed a birth control pill without a single conversation about what is happening in the rest of their body. We do it differently here. At Trust Women’s Healthcare, PCOS gets a full workup and a real plan, because it is a whole-body hormonal and metabolic condition, not just a period problem. We see patients at our Brooklyn office in Bedford-Stuyvesant and our Deer Park office on Long Island.
A PCOS diagnosis is made when someone meets at least two of the three criteria:
- Irregular menstrual cycles.
- Excess androgen, physically evidenced by excess body hair, severe acne, oily skin, thinning hair on the scalp, or the existence of high levels of testosterone from blood tests
- An ultrasound indicating the presence of cysts on the ovaries
Even though PCOS is a lifelong condition, the medical team at Trust Women’s Healthcare will be there at any stage. We make sure that women are accurately diagnosed at the first evidence of PCOS symptoms. We customize the treatment plan based on the health concerns, with the end goal of restoring normal hormonal function. We are committed to assisting throughout the treatment period.
Why PCOS Is Now Being Called PMOS
The name “polycystic ovary syndrome” has been a problem for a long time, for two reasons. The “cysts” are not cysts. What shows up on an ultrasound are small, immature follicles. They are a sign that ovulation is not happening the way it should, not a sign of ovarian disease. And many women with the condition never have them at all. The name points at the ovaries when the condition involves far more than the ovaries. Insulin and blood sugar regulation. Adrenal hormones. Cardiovascular and liver health. Mood. Sleep.
That mismatch has caused real harm. Women without visible follicles on ultrasound have been told they do not have it. Women at a normal weight have been dismissed outright. Metabolic risks have gone unmonitored for decades because the conversation stayed stuck on periods and fertility.
In 2026, an international consensus published in The Lancet proposed a new name: Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, or PMOS. The change reflects what the research has shown for years, which is that this is a multi-system endocrine and metabolic condition.
You will still see PCOS used nearly everywhere for now, including on your insurance paperwork and in most medical records. Both names describe the same condition. We use both so nobody gets lost in the transition.
PCOS Health Symptoms:
As previously mentioned, the following symptoms in women occur after their first menstrual period. Women diagnosed with PCOS may experience the following symptoms:
Importance of Treating PCOS/PMOS
PCOS Is About More Than Periods and Fertility
The reason we run metabolic labs on every patient is that this condition carries long-term health risks that have nothing to do with your cycle:
Some PCOS/PMOS related complicated health concerns include:
- Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
- Gestational diabetes during pregnancy
- High cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease
- Fatty liver disease
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Endometrial hyperplasia and, over time, increased endometrial cancer risk when periods are very infrequent for years at a stretch
- Anxiety, depression, and disordered eating, all of which occur at higher rates in women with this diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PMOS the same thing as PCOS?
Yes. PMOS, which stands for Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, is the newer name for the condition long known as polycystic ovary syndrome. The name changed to better reflect that this is a whole-body hormonal and metabolic condition rather than an ovarian one. Most insurance paperwork and medical records still use PCOS.
Do I have to have cysts on my ovaries to be diagnosed?
No. Diagnosis requires two of three criteria, and ovarian findings are only one of them. Plenty of women meet criteria through irregular cycles and signs of excess androgen alone, and AMH bloodwork can now stand in for ultrasound in adults.
Can you have PCOS at a normal weight?
Yes. Roughly one in five to one in three women with this condition have a BMI in the normal range. Insulin resistance can still be present, which is why we run metabolic labs regardless of your size.
Why is it so hard to lose weight with PCOS?
Insulin resistance and elevated androgens both work against weight loss, so the same effort produces less result than it would for someone without the condition. This is a physiological reality, not a willpower problem, and it is one of the reasons we approach weight medically rather than telling you to try harder.
Can I get pregnant with PCOS?
Yes. Many women with this condition conceive, some without any assistance at all. Others need help with ovulation, which is often very treatable. Letrozole is the current first-line medication for ovulation induction, and we manage this in office.
Does PCOS get worse with age?
The symptoms often shift rather than worsen. Cycles frequently become more regular over time. The metabolic risks, including diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, tend to increase with age, which is why ongoing monitoring matters even when your periods settle down.
Does PCOS go away after menopause?
The cycle-related symptoms resolve, since you are no longer menstruating. The metabolic and cardiovascular risks do not go away, and in some cases they become more important. Women with a history of this condition should continue to be screened after menopause.
Is there a cure?
No, and any provider promising one is not telling you the truth. This is a lifelong condition, but it is highly manageable. With the right plan, most women get their symptoms under control and substantially reduce their long-term health risks
Why Trust Women’s Healthcare
Finding the right women’s healthcare in Brooklyn who has significant experience with PCOS conditions may prove challenging. At Trust Women’s Healthcare, we have your back from symptom to diagnosis to management and beyond.
In addition to the highest level of care and commitment, we pride ourselves on working towards our vision, which features your future, providing a future with optimum well-being and happiness.
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If you are looking for a trusted healthcare provider, don’t hesitate to call us at 929-78 TRUST (929-788-7878). Alternatively, you can fill out our contact form, and one of our specialists will contact you.
At Trust Women’s Healthcare, it’s all about you, your health concerns, and your well-being. We look forward to meeting you soon.