PCOS, now PMOS, and mood: low mood, anxiety, what to ask

In May 2026, an international group of experts and people with the condition agreed a new name for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS. The paper describing the process was published in The Lancet.

The old name was misleading. "Polycystic" suggested the condition is about cysts on the ovaries, and it hid the fact that it affects hormones and metabolism across the body. The new name drops "cysts" and adds "polyendocrine" (many hormones) and "metabolic".

What changed: the name. The NHS already uses PMOS and says it "used to be called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)".

What didn't change: it is the same condition, with the same symptoms. The Lancet paper describes a transition period, so for some time you may still see PCOS or PCOD on reports and hear it from doctors. That is fine. Ask your doctor what the new name means for you.

PMOS is the new name for PCOS. In India, many people, and many clinics, also say PCOD. Not every doctor uses PCOD in exactly the same way, so if your report says PCOD, it is fair to ask your doctor whether they mean the same condition.

On this page we say "PCOS, now PMOS" so that everyone can find it, whatever name they were given.

Yes, it can. The NHS lists mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety, among the main symptoms of PMOS.

The international guideline on PCOS, published in 2023, asks health professionals to be aware that moderate to severe depressive and anxiety symptoms are common in adults with PCOS. It asks them to check for depression and anxiety in every adult with the condition. That is how seriously the link is taken.

Signs some women with PCOS notice include low mood, worry, irritability, feeling down about how they look, and finding it hard to sleep or switch off. These can also have other causes, such as the thyroid. Only a doctor can tell what's going on.

If your mood seems to rise and fall with your cycle, read about mood swings before periods.

The sources we use don't point to one simple reason. Several things can add up.

Hormones. The NHS says the cause of PMOS is unknown, but it may be to do with hormones such as insulin and testosterone not working properly.

How you feel about your body. The guideline asks health professionals to be aware that PCOS features, such as acne, extra hair growth or weight changes, can have a negative impact on body image. Comments from family or strangers can make that heavier.

Eating and weight. The guideline asks doctors to consider eating problems in PCOS, whatever a woman's weight, and to be aware of weight stigma. Being told again and again to "just lose weight" is hard on anyone.

Sleep. The guideline lists sleep apnoea among the broader features of PCOS, and poor sleep can wear down mood.

Worry about the future. The NHS lists difficulty getting pregnant among the main symptoms. Worry about fertility, especially with questions from family, can weigh on mood for years.

The thyroid can be part of the picture too. Low mood and tiredness can also come from the thyroid, so a doctor may check it. Read more about thyroid and mood.

It helps to go in with your questions written down. Some to start with:

• Does the new name, PMOS, change anything for me?
• Which tests do I need, and what is each one for?
• Could my low mood, worry or poor sleep be linked to PMOS, or to something else, like the thyroid?
• What can help my mood, sleep and energy, not only my periods?
• Who can I talk to about how this makes me feel?
• Do I need to see anyone else, such as a gynaecologist, an endocrinologist or a dietitian?
• How often should I come back, and what should make me come back sooner?

The NHS suggests talking therapy if some symptoms are causing depression or anxiety, alongside a balanced diet and regular exercise. Talking to someone who understands both the hormones and the feelings can make the whole thing feel less lonely.

If low mood has lasted two weeks or more, or if you have lost interest in things, read about the signs of depression in women as well.

• Your periods: how often they come, and how long they last.
• Skin, hair and weight changes, and when they started.
• Mood: low, anxious, irritable; whether it follows your cycle or is there all month.
• Sleep: trouble falling asleep, snoring, waking tired.
• Any past reports that mention PCOS, PCOD or PMOS, and any thyroid or sugar tests.
• Medicines, supplements or contraception you use.
• Whether a close relative has PCOS or diabetes.

Talk to someone if low mood or worry has lasted two weeks or more, if it affects your work, your relationships or how you look after yourself, or if how you feel about your body is wearing you down.

A Nari health counsellor can listen, help you put everything you have noticed together, and book you with a Nari doctor. The doctor looks at your hormones and your mood together and prescribes the tests you need. Counsellors never give medical advice; medical decisions come from a Nari doctor.

Nari 1 is not an emergency service. If you are thinking of harming yourself, or you are in danger, call 112 now. For free mental health support at any hour, call Tele-MANAS on 14416 or 1-800-891-4416, a Government of India helpline.